Jaguar backflips on electrical XJ substitute once more – report

Jaguar is reportedly readying a large, ultra-luxury limo as part of its new range of more exclusive, electric-only models.

The brand is set to reinvent itself and only sell electric vehicles (EVs) from 2025.

It had previously been rumoured the brand’s EV revolution would consist of two SUVs and a new four-seat grand tourer.

According to Autocar, a Bentley Bentayga-sized flagship SUV and a four-seat grand tourer will still feature, however the third model is set to be a flagship sedan.

This will serve as an indirect replacement for the now defunct XJ, and reportedly feature even larger proportions.

Autocar reports the new limo will be substantially larger and more luxurious than the XJ.

It will reportedly share a new platform, the Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), with the other two new models, and all members of the new Jaguar range will be priced between £100,000 and £125,000 (A$195,000-245,000).

They’ll also reportedly feature four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering plus ultra-fast charging capability. This will allow the cars to go from 10-80 per cent charge in just 13 minutes.

They’ll reportedly offer ranges of at least 620km and up to 765km.

Reportedly, the cars could debut with some impressive performance figures. The cars are said to make no less than 335kW, giving them a 0-100kmh sprint time of between 3-3.8 seconds and a top speed of roughly 250km/h.

A source has indicated the limo’s styling will be a dramatic departure from current Jaguar products.

The new sedan will reportedly have a low-slung, minimalist appearance with “no obvious inspiration from past or present”, and be similar in size to the Bentley Mulsanne standard wheelbase which measures 5575mm long.

Styling up front will reportedly be blunt and angular, with the longest bonnet ever on a Jaguar.

The front end will reportedly feature a new “ultra-slim” LED light signature that forms a distinctive pattern around a new grille structure. The other two vehicles are said to have similar styling elements.

The tail lights will reportedly stretch the width of the rear end and will be invisible when the car is turned off – similar to the latest Range Rover – while Jaguar’s classic badging will be replaced with simple wordmarks, front and rear.

Wheel sizes are also said to grow, with expected sizes of 22 inches in diameter.

None of the three cars will reportedly feature a rear window however, with visibility provided by a “digital ‘mirror’ screen at the base of the windscreen” – similar to a Polestar 4.

The side mirrors are also set to be replaced by digital screens at the base of the A-pillars.

The minimalist theme will reportedly continue inside, with more advanced technology and upmarket materials including vegan-friendly upholstery options.

There are said to be buttons on the steering wheel for controlling important functions. However, all other controls will reportedly be integrated into a new wraparound display on the dashboard, with a smaller screen positioned on the centre console for climate controls.

In the back, the new flagship will reportedly feature reclining rear seats, sun blinds, and individual screens.

Talking recently to Autocar, JLR CEO Adrian Mardell said the Jaguar brand needed its own architecture.

“Otherwise, it doesn’t quite look as potent and exuberant as you would wish it to,” he said.

“This wheelbase and this architecture will deliver the design intent.”

The new models will be built at JLR’s Solihull plant in the UK, which currently supports production of the F-Pace and Range Rover models.

The grand tourer based on the JEA platform will be revealed in late 2024 before going on sale in 2025. It’s unclear what Jaguar’s plans are for the Australian market.

Previously, Jaguar had been developing an electric XJ based on the Range Rover’s MLA platform, which was originally due for launch in 2022.

However, previous JLR CEO Thierry Bolloré ended development after it was deemed incompatible with the rest of the Jaguar range.

Part of the reasoning for completely rebooting the line-up in 2025, rather than retaining some older models, is because the new models “will look nothing like their replacements”.

“When we launch our new JEA platform, the change from today on Jaguar is very dramatic. We don’t want older-looking cars and newer-looking cars,” said Mr Mardell.

This includes axing the brand’s first and thus far only EV, the I-Pace.

In its new era, JLR hopes the Jaguar brand will sell 4000 cars a month. To do this, the brand will target emerging luxury markets such as China, where it has already started conducting market research.