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Changing face of Jaguar | Changing face of Jaguar |
(about 15 hours later) | |
By Peter Plisner BBC Midlands Today transport correspondent | By Peter Plisner BBC Midlands Today transport correspondent |
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The BBC's Peter Plisner has been given access to the new Jaguar XJ | |
Car maker Jaguar has launched its latest new model. The XJ sedan was unveiled at a glitzy ceremony in London on Thursday. | Car maker Jaguar has launched its latest new model. The XJ sedan was unveiled at a glitzy ceremony in London on Thursday. |
It follows on from the highly successful XF model, which helped to re-establish the Jaguar brand after several years of heavy losses. | It follows on from the highly successful XF model, which helped to re-establish the Jaguar brand after several years of heavy losses. |
Like previous models, sales of the new XJ are crucial to the company. | Like previous models, sales of the new XJ are crucial to the company. |
Last month Tata, the Indian firm that owns both Jaguar and Land Rover, announced that the Midlands brands had lost about £1m a day in the 10 months since it bought the two companies from US maker Ford. | Last month Tata, the Indian firm that owns both Jaguar and Land Rover, announced that the Midlands brands had lost about £1m a day in the 10 months since it bought the two companies from US maker Ford. |
Jaguar and Land Rover have seen a downturn in sales in the last few months, although the success of the XF has helped Jaguar maintain a reasonable share of the luxury car market. | Jaguar and Land Rover have seen a downturn in sales in the last few months, although the success of the XF has helped Jaguar maintain a reasonable share of the luxury car market. |
'Too modern' | 'Too modern' |
It is hoped the new XJ will be just as popular and as a result could help to stem some of recent losses suffered by the JLR group. | It is hoped the new XJ will be just as popular and as a result could help to stem some of recent losses suffered by the JLR group. |
Prices will range from about £50,000 to £90,000. | |
Under designer director Ian Callum, the whole Jaguar look has undergone a major overhaul that has not been to everyone's liking. | Under designer director Ian Callum, the whole Jaguar look has undergone a major overhaul that has not been to everyone's liking. |
Designer director Ian Callum speaks about Jaguar's new model, the XJ sedan | Designer director Ian Callum speaks about Jaguar's new model, the XJ sedan |
Traditional Jaguar owners have complained the new look was "too modern". | Traditional Jaguar owners have complained the new look was "too modern". |
But others have applauded the changes, which have helped to attract new customers who previously would not have wanted a Jaguar. | But others have applauded the changes, which have helped to attract new customers who previously would not have wanted a Jaguar. |
Mr Callum said recently that the XJ was "right and correct for the 21st Century". | Mr Callum said recently that the XJ was "right and correct for the 21st Century". |
He added on Thursday: "It's a beautiful sleek car as a Jaguar should be, but it's a very modern car and it fits with the 21st Century. | He added on Thursday: "It's a beautiful sleek car as a Jaguar should be, but it's a very modern car and it fits with the 21st Century. |
"It's absolutely the right thing to do." | "It's absolutely the right thing to do." |
The XF model, launched last year, has already won many awards including both "Car of the Year" and "Design of the Year" from several leading car magazines. | The XF model, launched last year, has already won many awards including both "Car of the Year" and "Design of the Year" from several leading car magazines. |
Many feel the success of the car has helped to restore confidence in what was seen as a flagging brand. | Many feel the success of the car has helped to restore confidence in what was seen as a flagging brand. |
Mr Callum maintains that in designing the new XJ he has had to call on his entire 30 years of learning and experience in the car industry. | Mr Callum maintains that in designing the new XJ he has had to call on his entire 30 years of learning and experience in the car industry. |
'Lightest' car | 'Lightest' car |
The overall outcome, he has suggested, is something "very special indeed". | The overall outcome, he has suggested, is something "very special indeed". |
The new XJ will be one of the lightest cars in its class, being made of aluminium instead of steel. | The new XJ will be one of the lightest cars in its class, being made of aluminium instead of steel. |
The original XJ model dates back to the late 1960s and has served as a flagship model for the Jaguar brand ever since. | The original XJ model dates back to the late 1960s and has served as a flagship model for the Jaguar brand ever since. |
It is said the model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had design-input from Sir William Lyons, the company's founder. | It is said the model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had design-input from Sir William Lyons, the company's founder. |
The current XJ model was launched in 2003 and underwent a makeover in 2007. | The current XJ model was launched in 2003 and underwent a makeover in 2007. |
Like the last XJ, the model has been designed at Whitley in Coventry and will be built at the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham. | Like the last XJ, the model has been designed at Whitley in Coventry and will be built at the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham. |
Production lines are being prepared and several pre-production models have already been made. | Production lines are being prepared and several pre-production models have already been made. |
The new car will go on sale early next year. | The new car will go on sale early next year. |