Next Jaguar XJ to be worthy of its 'Big Cat' badge

The next XJ, however, is to blessed with some of the style of its smaller XF stable mate. According to Auto Express, expect it to have much of the car's athletic, “ready to pounce”, styling. Tightly drawn haunches, coupe-like roofline, and aggressive detailing will make up its exterior, and will soon be the hallmarks of all Jaguars. The styling is more in-your-face, more akin to a big cat growling than a big cat napping.

Similarly, the interior will no longer recall the Jaguars of old, but will feature much of the XF’s contemporary dashboard design, and lowered rear seating to allow for some headroom for once. Expect to see Jaguar’s DriveSelect system as well.

Among all these changes, the chassis is expected to be nothing more than an updated version of the current car’s underpinnings. The XJ’s chassis has never been its weak point, and in fact is still among the best today, so expect the same aluminum intensive structure and sublime ride and handling characteristics.

Jaguars hasn’t had a new drivetrain in ages, so expect to see nothing more than bored and stroked versions of the current motors, attached once again to the excellent ZF 6-speed automatic albeit now with the ubiquitous steering wheel paddles.

Our take? Auto consumers in the XJ’s class today are very picky, susceptible to fads, and very much into the "my car is better than yours mentality," as opposed as to the sensible, luxurious, big car mentality of old.

Having said that, the new Jag takes this issue head on. Compared to its competitors, its styling is more distinctive, its chassis more sporty, its interior more contemporary. By separating itself from its competitors, it has become a viable alternative.