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After years of Jaguar XJs that looked more or less the same from model year to model year, it seems as if the Jag traditionalists are going to have a little adjusting to do. This heavily clad mule is the work-in-progress that will become the new XJ and it seems to be breaking with the long-held form of that historic model.

The new car would seem to take at least a few cues from the Aston Martin Rapide, offering more of a four-door “coupe” silhouette on top of the aluminum chassis. The well-hidden front lights point to a design similar to those on the current XF and we’d wager that a lot of the XF’s fine interior appointments will make their way onto this car as well.

Some speculation points to Jaguar offering a hybrid powertrain for the next XJ, which would likely join a supercharged V-8, and an entry level V-6 in the engine range. A more modest V-8 and a turbo diesel are also on the table. Have a closer look at the blocky mule in our gallery above, or scroll down to read the shooter’s own words.
 
Under all this amount of camouflage, the new Jaguar XJ is hiding. The camouflage does actually remind us of the first spy shots of the Mercedes S-class some years ago.

Well, back to the new Jag. Based on the current car´s aluminum platform, this will be a very sleek looking 4 door coupe with a lot of Aston Martin Rapide DNA.

The conservative XJ owners will have to get used to a radical new design far away from the current model. But since sales figures have been poor, this is definitely the right way to go. Expect the front lights to show some similarities of the XF, but hopefully even bolder and the rear will have modern hi-tech LED-lights. The interior will also take some details from the XF, but we also hope for some exclusive design solutions. Please don’t do a BMW or Audi, where almost all models look alike inside. The XJ buyers are expected to pay more than the XF buyers, so let them have their own interior.

The new XJ could also be the first Jaguar to be offered as a Hybrid in addition to the supercharged V8 in the top version. Expect an entry level V6 together with midrange V8 and turbo-diesel engines.