Jaguar XJ 2.7 TDVi (2007) CAR review

New. In what sense exactly?

Okay, so neither you, I nor Jaguar is under any illusion that the ‘real’ new XJ can’t come soon enough. Current Jag execs admit that the decision to stick with retro design was a mistake and that the next car will look much more modern, taking cues from the C-XF concept. But that car won’t be ready before 2009, so Ian Callum and his team have done what they can to freshen up Geoff Lawson’s original for another couple of years in the showroom.

So they grafted on a bumper from the old Broadspeed racing XJs from the ’70s

There is a similarity. Every XJ now has an aggressive face with a deep front bumper and menacing air intakes. And the traditional Jag radiator grille gets some XKR-style chickenwire. It’s all about creating a sense of presence and a recognisable face, says Callum.