Jaguar XJ manufacturing to stop in July, electrical successor tipped for 2020
Jaguar will stop manufacturing of the XJ sedan on July 5, Autocar reported on Thursday.
Whereas Jaguar is but to announce a successor, it is rumored the automaker will flip the XJ into an electrical sedan rivaling the Tesla Mannequin S. In line with Autocar, we’ll see this electrical XJ someday in 2020.
And it will not simply be the powertrain that is anticipated to alter. There additionally rumors the brand new XJ, the nameplate’s ninth iteration, will turn into extra of a hatch than a standard sedan, one thing akin to the Porsche Panamera and aforementioned Mannequin S.
Jaguar had been debating whether or not to return to a extra typical Three-box sedan form for its next-generation XJ or follow the present mannequin’s coupe-like design. The automaker at one level was even considered going with two distinct physique kinds for the automotive.
2019 Jaguar XJ
It appears Jaguar will now give attention to a coupe-like design, which might be a great transfer because the design will assist additional distinguish the automotive from its German rivals. And going the electrical route must also preserve the automotive related in a phase that is seeing consumers swap to SUVs.
However what about these consumers, particularly in China, searching for a roomier choice in a flagship sedan? That is the place sister firm Land Rover will apparently fill the void. The brand new “Highway Rover” mannequin that we have been listening to about will reportedly be developed alongside the electrical XJ, and this one must be roomier as it will likely be one thing of a mix between a sedan and SUV.
Jaguar already has the powertrain expertise for electrical automobiles. The automaker began promoting the I-Tempo late final yr. The small electrical SUV encompasses a 90-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a twin-motor drive system delivering a mixed 400 horsepower. Given the modular nature of the powertrain’s design, using it for a future XJ should not show an excessive amount of of a problem.
The XJ nameplate carries quite a lot of historical past. First launched in 1968, the XJ rapidly grew to become the world’s solely mass-produced Four-door automotive with a 12-cylinder engine. It was additionally the quickest Four-seater of its time. To not point out, the XJ has carried royalty, politicians, celebrities, and different necessary figures for over half a century. Sadly, gross sales have dropped off sharply in recent times. Jaguar offered simply 1,579 examples in america final yr, which was one of many lowest leads to a long time.