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Which Car Design Is More Beautiful? Jaguar XF Or New Jaguar XJ?

Agent001 submitted on 8/22/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:24:43 AM

30 user comments | Category: Report Cards | Source: www.autospies.com

One of the saddest stories in the luxury car business has been the steady decline of Jaguar over the years.



But the cat has been fighting back with reckless abandon, trying to make themselves relevant again.

And employing the ONLY time, tested strategy that works...Great products.

First the totally new XF and now the latest effort, the brand new XJ.

I had the chance to see the XJ in person for the first time in Monterey, during Concours weekend.

As I strolled through the crowd in Monterey, I kept asking everyone which car design was nicer in their opinion.

The XF or the new XJ.

I won't skew your answers with my un-scientific results until later in the article comments but I will tell you which car won.

So let us all know YOUR choice and WHY you chose one or the other.

Jaguar XF or New Jaguar XJ?

Which is the BETTER design and why?

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Which Car Design Is More Beautiful? Jaguar XF Or New Jaguar XJ?

About the Author

Agent001

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.

— Agent001 (View Profile)


User Comments

1995e34

neither, the porsche panamera is.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 12:49:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -16   

WorldofLuxury

LOL
I think the XF and XJ are a bit too similar yet also different to judge which one is better. sorry

— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 12:51:25 AM | | Votes: 2   

dumpsty

agreed --- neither.

though i appreciate that the brand was able to create updated designs. it is far less unique than it was in recent history. today, jaguar doesn't have a specialized design focus and looks like other luxury brands.

i think that if jaguar was still owned by ford, their current designs would be more acceptable b/c the industry would just assume that ford used competing design cues to generate more interest and revenue for the short-term.

— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2009 1:26:07 PM | | Votes: -1   

DaHarder

They're both uniquely attractive, in their respective ways... The XF is the less polarizing of the two, given it's more 'conventional' proportions and the rather obvious stylistic homage it pays to fellow Brit marque, Aston Martin. In photos, the new XJ presents a much greater challenge to the viewer, with two (somewhat) questionable design choices standing out more than any others; the disproportionate ratio of front-end overhang (very short) to rear-end overhang (extremely long), and the questionable decision to black out a portion of the 'C' pillar for reasons I have yet to fully understand. I'm eager to see the new XJ 'in the metal' to see how well everything actually comes together aesthetically. We'll See Soon Enough...

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 1:33:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

1UAW

looks the same to me.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 2:11:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

rxh8me9000

XF is best for its price range and XJ is best for its price range.

— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 3:15:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

synx

XF by far... the XJ looks crap from the rear. The black rear pillars look really cheap and the tail -lights look strange

— synx (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 3:20:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

JUGNU

XF. XF design would be perfect with XJ headlights IMO. I don't like the XJ design from rear doors backwards so that's 50% of the car but maybe seeing in person would improve my opinion about it's exterior design. Interior looks very unique and top class though.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 4:22:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agent63

The XF is more sporty but the XJ is by far more luxurious. IT's the flagship afterall!. 2nd year of production may mean out goes the LS!.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 4:59:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

freshseth83

no one was talking about the LS you just brought it in for no reason. Always someone gotta hate on Lexus.

— freshseth83 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 9:42:37 PM | | Votes: 1   

Agent63

Hate on Lexus? I drive one as my daily driver. Don't assume. I was simply saying it may replace the LS in my garage.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2009 9:31:07 AM | | Votes: -1   

Type707

I think both cars are good looking. Jaguar has completely gone out of the "old money" Granpas/Granny designs and targeting the young crowd.

— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 5:13:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

downtoearth

— Type707:

> Jaguar has completely gone out of the "old money" Granpas/Granny
> designs and targeting the young crowd.

Targeting young crowd with 50k-70k-100k USD cars?

Do you live in a parallel universe?

— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 6:45:27 AM | | Votes: 1   

henbmw

You think halo cars like the R8 are merely to create profit from the wealthy buyers?? It's to build more interest in the Audi brand. These two Jags may not have many young buyers, but their designs will bring them into the showrooms - and increase interest in the brand.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 11:25:23 AM | | Votes: 1   

downtoearth

001, you stacked up the Jaguar XF-C, the conceptual model that never materialized and was introduced as the XF teaser vs the new XJ in the picture.

http://images.google.com/images?q=jaguar+xf-c

Jaguar was rather commonly criticized for not being brave enough to put the XF-C concept into production and for cutting its corners instead, by introducing the XF with much more politically correct front end presenting significantly less flair.

Apparently, they were convinced by such fuzzy but consistent Internet opinion and decided to transfer XF-C concept ideas to production version of the new XJ. Then they added unique and advantgarde rear end (instead of the classic briefcase one), making the car look rather like something exotic from much higher price range.

Adding all of this together, I think the new XJ is a FAR BETTER design than the production XF, which is already a looker.


PS. Jaguar is now owned by Indians. I wonder how much engineering effort are they responsible for.

— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 6:43:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

kuvakas1

Not having seen the XJ in the flesh, it's impossible to tell. Trying to render and opinion based on a series of photos is reckless, at best. At first glance, I like the design of the XJ a lot but I will reserve judgment until I see one in person.

I remember all the controversy over the new XK design when the first photos were released. "Looks like a Taurus!", many were deciding. I don't think anyone who saw the sheetmetal in person thought the car looked like a Taurus. Let's not make the same mistake here.

— kuvakas1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 8:19:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

grysko

Old XJ.

— grysko (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 8:46:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

EL34

Both Jag's are outstanding automobiles.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 11:14:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

henbmw

I was impressed with the XF; I fell in love with the XJ.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 11:21:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BondMI6

Wonder if the facelifted XF will get the XJ headlights?

— BondMI6 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 12:02:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

dmc8260

1995e34, Thank you for the laugh. The Panamera is better looking- too funny. I like the direction Jaguar is going towards but will reserve my choice until I see the XJ in person.

— dmc8260 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 12:54:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

LexusKindaGuy12

I still favor the XF exterior, but the XJ interior

— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 1:24:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

cdoke

I have yet to see the XJ in the metal, but I will say that while the videos show it to be simply stunning, some of the pictures, particularly those from low angles, aren't that appealing.

It has already been pointed out, but the above picture comparison shows the concept XF and the production XJ. So it isn't really fair.

As far as the blacked out pillar, I am pretty sure I understand why that was done. The greenhouse is really far back on the structure of the car, and meets it and a rather shallow angle. In addition you have a sort of typical English droop to the rear of the car with a shallow deck lid. When you combine the two with a single structure pillar, you get a rather strong very very long slope to the rear of the far beginning very far forward in the structure, which also pulls the visual mass of the car very far back towards the rear wheels.

As far as the rear lights go, they look like a modern version of prototypical XJ lights that have been stretched over the boot lid.

BTW, interesting thing I found: the following video shows the new XJ in multiple colors. Notice that they DO NOT have the awful orange wedge shape on the side of the headlights- it is clear. The pictures we have from 001 and on the Jaguar US website (including the launch film) show the orange wedge. It looks much better without it. Legal requirement, no doubt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUQZZg1bVig&feature=related

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 3:34:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

FuRoPiNiOn001

Hmmm? I’ve been in industrial design for over 30 years, so I’m really not buying your (supposed) explanation for the black-out C pillar. The fact is, it just doesn't look right on a car of this calibre, and only cheapens the look of an otherwise really good looking design. My guess is that it won’t be well received, and Jaguar will make it body colored by model year 2011.

— FuRoPiNiOn001 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 4:01:33 PM | | Votes: -1   

cdoke

You don't have to buy it: Ian Callum said as much. I can't find the interview, but as I recall the rational was to 1) remove mass from the car, 2)visually widen the rear of the car, as all XJs have had very horizontal rears since the beginning of time and that is difficult to do with the high-rear more modern aesthetic.

Industrial design? IS that supposed to be some half-witted and inappropriately applied appeal to expertise? Don't try that with me- it won't work.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2009 5:15:10 PM | | Votes: -1   

TrueAutoSpy

cdoke, -1 for lashing out like a complete immature a$$. I also agree that the black c-pillar looks awkward, and will be changed sometime soon after the car goes on sale, either by Jaguar or the people who buy the car.

— TrueAutoSpy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2009 2:44:56 PM | | Votes: -1   

cdoke

I believe you have misinterpreted my statements; they were not lashing out. The mention of industrial designer IS an appeal to expertise (otherwise it is an utterly superfluous bit on information), which simply won't work. Not the least of reasons is that an idustrial designer is not a car designer.

The only people who can inform you about why it was really done are those who where involved in the design. Most notably Ian Callum- he has already stated why it was done.

Here is the interview BTW:

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/27072009/36/insider-s-view-jaguar-s-reinvention-0.html

Calling me an ass really doesn't make you look rational either dear.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2009 3:57:15 PM | | Votes: 0   

Agent001

The interesting thing was after speaking to hundreds of people at Concours weekend, the overwhelming majority said they liked the design of the XF more than the XJ.

And most people did NOT like the rear 1/3 of the XJ.

I personally thing the XF is a nicer design but the interior is nicer in the XJ.

I was also expecting the material quality inside the XJ to rival the Bentley GT but switchgear and quality of materials, although nice, was NOT as good as a Bentley.

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2009 4:40:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

cdoke

"...liked the design of the XF more than the XJ."

I would say that is the likely answer simply because you asked the question.

I actually reminds me of when, in sixth grade, I was on and lead a team of 5 people in a national computerized quiz bowl. The questions were ridiculous because many were structured such that the most likely answer was the lease likely answer by virtue of the fact that they asked the question at all. We here very good at it- we placed 6th in the nation.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2009 9:44:55 AM | | Votes: 1   

FanboyOfTheTruth

XF: Ugly droopy eyes.
XJ: Fugly butt.
XF Concept: Perfect, but you can't buy one.

— FanboyOfTheTruth (View Profile)

Posted on 8/24/2009 12:53:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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