New Jaguar XJ unveiled!

-A close look at the XJ innovative sound system
-A close look at XJ innovative material
- Launch Jaguar XJ
- Gallery: Launch Jaguar XJ

At last - a Jaguar XJ that is not a prisoner of its past.

Launched today, the latest edition of the long-running model is a true reflection of the spirit of its original creator, Sir William Lyons. Always a forward thinker, Lyons would have been horrified that one of his creations would be imitated for another 40 years; fortunately the new car breaks with that tradition.

It’s true the original 1968 XJ6 was a seminal design, even rated by a US magazine as the best looking four-door of all time. The problem was that all subsequent models were variations on the same theme with the 1986 XJ40 and the 2003 XJ two particularly poor examples. However, the new model leaves all that behind.

The design of the latest XJ is closer to the current XF but is also a step forward from that car. In particular, the front end, with its slightly menacing headlights is much better than the XF while the rear end is even cleaner. Uniquely, the long-wheelbase XJ arguably looks better than the standard model as the extra length balances the mass behind the rear door. The longer, swoopier profile also makes it look more like a concept car that has escaped on to the road.

The interior of the new range is even better than the exterior. Using similar themes to the XF (which already has the best interior in its class, so is a pretty good place to start), the XJ takes things further. The instruments are now virtual: there are still needles for road and engine speed, but they are graphical rather than physical.

Another highlight is the audio system. The standard fit audios are excellent, but the optional 1200 watt Bowers and Wilkins unit is phenomenal. We were a bit apprehensive when the Jaguar engineer turned up the volume in a stationary vehicle and said "let's listen to it at 250 watts", but the anticipated ear-bleeding din failed to materialise. Instead, the sound just got bigger rather than louder - you would need a very good home audio system to improve on this system.

Underneath, the car is closely related to the outgoing XJ. There are no grounds for disappointment in that fact: the outgoing model had a fabulous chassis that was completely obscured by the poor styling. Now that the car looks as good as it drives, many more people will discover just how well the aluminium-bodied XJ handles.

Mechanically, the biggest change is the adoption of the latest 3.0 diesel engine as used in the 2010 model year XF. This will be the biggest seller in the UK by a mile and is an astonishing unit. Apart from having to use a DERV pump at the filling station, there is no way of telling what fuel this car uses. It is simply a very powerful (275 bhp), hugely flexible and economical unit (exact figures to be confirmed, but expect 40 mpg plus on the combined cycle). Unless you are desperate for the fire-breathing supercharged 500 bhp engine, the diesel is all the engine you will ever need.