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Jaguar XJ could move to all-electric platform late this year

The Jaguar XJ is getting a little long in the tooth. The current generation of Jaguar's flagship sedan debuted back in 2009, making it one of the oldest vehicles still on the market. This week, Autocar reported that a new XJ could debut late this year and would move to an all-electric platform. That would place the XJ straight against cars like the Tesla Model S and upcoming Porsche Mission E, presumably sharing parts with the upcoming I-Pace electric crossover. While a couple of refreshes have kept the Jaguar competitive, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 have gone through full redesigns since the XJ debuted. (Two for the Audi). Compared to the Germans, the Jaguar looks and feels dated, especially when it comes to technology, active safety and alternative powertrains. In the U.S., the XJ is only available with either a supercharged gasoline V6 or V8. The competition from Germany, Japan and the U.S. all offer some form of electrification. Moving to an all-electric powertrain would be a huge shift for Jaguar and is sure to spark some debate among enthusiasts. The British automaker has previously stated it plans to electrify all new vehicles after 2020. Look for electrified variants of current models to be available, too. The new XJ is rumored to be co-developed with a new model called the Road Rover, a sort of high-riding sedan or wagon in the vein of the Audi allroad or Volvo V90 Cross Country. Like the XJ, the Road Rover would use a battery electric powertrain. Look for more news on both models later this year. Related Video:

2021 Jaguar F-Type is getting a major facelift

Having entered its seventh model year with only minor changes, it's no surprise that Jaguar is working on a more significant update of its F-Type sports car. Based on the spy photos of what is likely to be the 2021 Jaguar F-Type, it's getting a serious nose job. But interestingly, it also still appears to be closely related to the current model. Up front, the major change is in the headlight design. Instead of the vertical, swept-back units of the current car, the new one has low, horizontal lights. The lights are actually much more similar to Jaguar's more practical offerings such as the XE, XJ and F-Pace. The lights also have sharper angles that blend into cut lines and creases in the front end. The main grille doesn't look particularly different, but it will clearly be flanked by redesigned outboard grilles based on how well they're covered. The whole midsection seems to be carried over from the current model. This seems to kill the rumor that there would be a 2+2 F-Type. The tail end is pretty much the same, too, but the taillights lose the little round extensions inspired by the Jaguar E-Type. The wide-set tailpipes and big diffuser are like the V8-powered R model, so we expect that's what we're looking at. Since this F-Type looks to be mostly a styling overhaul, we expect most of the current powertrain lineup will transfer, too. That means a turbocharged four-cylinder for the entry-level models and a V8 for the top-rung cars. In the middle, though, the supercharged V6 may disappear in favor of Jaguar-Land Rover's new turbocharged inline-6. This seems plausible since Jaguar has already phased out the V6 on the XE, and the inline-6 is derived from the four-cylinder already in use, so it should fit relatively easily. Power should be right on par with the current car's 380-horsepower V6. In new Land Rovers, it makes between 355 and 396 horsepower depending on which version you get. We also assume all engines will still be coupled to an eight-speed automatic with no manual options in sight.

Jaguar laying groundwork for a reborn XK

There have been rumors about plans to replace the Jaguar XK since before the gentleman's coupe ended production in 2014. Depending on which rumor you read, a reborn XK could remain compact and offer a 3.0-liter turbodiesel, grow a bit and move upmarket to challenge the Mercedes S-Class Coupe, or grow even more and challenge the Bentley Continental GT as "an elegant four-seater coupe." About the only three consistent details have been that the new XK would ride on a reworked F-Type platform, that the XK would become Jaguar's new flagship, and brand design director Ian Callum providing all the quotes about a potential resurrection. Now Hanno Kirner, the head of product strategy at Jaguar Land Rover, has added quotes that could portend the return of the big two-door cat. Kirner told Autocar that Jaguar "will continue to invest in sports cars," and that "I use the plural quite deliberately." That is, the F-Type won't be left to carry the sports car mantle by itself. Questions remain about the definition of the term "sports car," and whether that really means a return of the XK. Kirner suggested it's possible that a future offering could be "a body variant" of the F-Type. Callum's been fighting for the XK's return ever since Jaguar made the decision to kill it. The designer said the two-seat F-Type wasn't intended to kill the bigger 2+2, and at one point his team had already finished design work on the third-generation XK. However, the F-Type sold so well that the company marketers decided the automaker didn't need both cars. A number of things needs to happen before any XK gets the green light, though. The next-gen F-Type is in the works and could come as soon as next year, and Jaguar will want to make sure the two-seater continues its run of steady sales. The XK spirit lives on in the current F-Type, since the F-Type sits on a reworked version of the XK's aluminum architecture, and the second-generation F-Type will evolve that aluminum platform again. It's said that the platform could morph back into a 2+2 without undue hassle, but any new XK wouldn't likely arrive before 2021 even if approved. Callum remains on the case, saying in October 2017, "I want a two-seater [the F-Type] and a 2+2. We're working on something now." Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.