It was interesting to drive the new Porsche Panamera GTS in the same week that Jaguar confirmed XJ production is about to end.
They have had two very different fortunes for two cars with not entirely dissimilar outlooks on life – luxury four-doors that are also entertaining to drive.
Jaguar The XJ, production not far into five figures a year, is winding down to the extent that Jaguar even discussed whether to replace it at all. There is, we understand, a replacement XJ, an electric one, in the plan and, presumably, already a long way down the development cycle.
At Porsche, meanwhile, the Porsche Panamera’s trajectory is more solid. Porsche sold more than three times as many Panameras as Jaguar sold XJs last year, and that you’ll find the Panamera’s architecture elsewhere within the Volkswagen Group must give it economies of scale that make it way more profitable.
And yet, for what it’s worth, on British roads I suspect the Jaguar is the more engaging car of the two to drive. Model for model, I don’t doubt it is slower, with less tech inside, a different image and so on: all valid reasons to pick one car over another.
But when it comes to that fairly important job of making its driver happy, the XJ, for me, is that bit smoother, that bit more rewarding.
I think this is because they’re both very much products of where they’ve been developed. And this geographical difference matters.
I’ve spent a bit of time around the new Vauxhall Corsa and its engineers and designers recently, and one of the factors of its make-up, despite having a platform conceived in France, is how ‘German’ its engineers say the car has to feel on the road.
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Personally I adore the
Personally I adore the current XJ and always have.
If it was available, I would love a SWB 5.0 Supercharged example, with siliver wheels and no stupid body kit on it. Sadly, it isn't.
In fact the only thing I have never liked is the TFT instrument panel. It would be so much better with proper dials.
I think the outgoing XJ, and
I think the outgoing XJ, and the 2006 C6 were the two most beautiful large saloons in the last 20 years. The Germans don’t come close.
Cleft stick xk
They could have made it a more lifestyle hatch like the panamera but that i guess would drive away the few loyal customers they have. They are a serious bargain used just a bit limo impractical.
Agree with jer, it has the
Agree with jer, it has the profile of a fastback, they could've gone the whole SD1 and created an Audi A7 competitor with a usable hatch. Or, the halfway house of the mk2 Skoda Superb, with a saloon opening for getting the briefcase out, and a hatchback for getting the golf clubs out.