Ian Callum talks luxury sedans
At almost 10 years old, the current-generation XJ represented a design step-change for Jaguar. Now Ian Callum, head of design for the Big Cat, says the followup will be bigger and sportier than before.
With the most recent iteration launched in 2009, the XJ has always been Jaguar’s flagship. That’s not going to change any time soon, but the model might break with ‘F Segment’ size and design conventions.
Speaking to media at the Geneva motor show, Callum said the XJ will grow in size and remain a tech-leader for the brand, but it shouldn’t be benchmarked against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
“It’ll be different. And it will have more room inside it. One of the biggest criticisms XJ has had is that a lot of people think the room inside the car is not big enough. I don’t believe in segmentation like this — I don’t believe in an F Segment as such,” Callum said.
“I think we should just do a luxury vehicle that matches people well. That’s what we’ve done for XJ, which is what the first one was all about. A lot of our market is far-eastern and people are using these big cars to be driven in, so we must accommodate that better.”
When asked about technology, Callum confirmed the new XJ will be the next car released by Jaguar. As such, it will feature new technology to eventually filter down the range.
“It will definitely have new tech and it will be a flagship, and it will probably the next car we bring out now that I think about it. It’ll be built to match the technology that will be reflected at that time. But it’s not an S-Class Mercedes-Benz,” said Callum.
While it will be sized like an S-Class, Callum is adamant that it will be more of a driver’s car, with less focus on traditional flagship sedan traits.
Ian Callum talks luxury sedans
At almost 10 years old, the current-generation XJ represented a design step-change for Jaguar. Now Ian Callum, head of design for the Big Cat, says the followup will be bigger and sportier than before.
With the most recent iteration launched in 2009, the XJ has always been Jaguar’s flagship. That’s not going to change any time soon, but the model might break with ‘F Segment’ size and design conventions.
Speaking to media at the Geneva motor show, Callum said the XJ will grow in size and remain a tech-leader for the brand, but it shouldn’t be benchmarked against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
“It’ll be different. And it will have more room inside it. One of the biggest criticisms XJ has had is that a lot of people think the room inside the car is not big enough. I don’t believe in segmentation like this — I don’t believe in an F Segment as such,” Callum said.
“I think we should just do a luxury vehicle that matches people well. That’s what we’ve done for XJ, which is what the first one was all about. A lot of our market is far-eastern and people are using these big cars to be driven in, so we must accommodate that better.”
When asked about technology, Callum confirmed the new XJ will be the next car released by Jaguar. As such, it will feature new technology to eventually filter down the range.
“It will definitely have new tech and it will be a flagship, and it will probably the next car we bring out now that I think about it. It’ll be built to match the technology that will be reflected at that time. But it’s not an S-Class Mercedes-Benz,” said Callum.
While it will be sized like an S-Class, Callum is adamant that it will be more of a driver’s car, with less focus on traditional flagship sedan traits.
