First sight of Jaguar's all-new XJ

Jaguar has provided the first glimpse of its crucial new XJ flagship sedan, which will be officially revealed in London on July 9.

Speaking at this week's Shanghai motor show, Jaguar boss Mike O'Driscoll confirmed the new XJ would be the first car to feature the next-generation of the company's aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture.

The new large sedan is due to go on sale internationally from the end of this year, taking the fight to Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8. Australian deliveries are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2010.

All of Jaguar's new ultra-efficient Gen III petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new XJ, including the new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and the new 5.0-litre V8 in both atmo and supercharged forms.

We recently sampled the 375kW/625Nm supercharged motor in the new XFR sedan (more here) and can vouch for its smoothness and potency.

This new car will also take Jaguar in an entirely new drivetrain direction, when it's unveiled as a plug-in hybrid variant next year (see our report on Greencarsales here for further information). Jaguar has officially announced that will happen.

In keeping with the current-generation car, the new XJ will be offered in a choice of standard or long wheelbase models, but new additions will include a panoramic glass roof.

It's likely the new XJ will also incorporate XF interior design elements such as the offbeat JaguarDrive cylindrical gearknob.

However, it's the exterior styling that signals the biggest departure from the pipe-and-slippers attire worn by the current XJ.

Going on the sole teaser image supplied by Jaguar, it's evident the new flagship sedan borrows heavily from the design language of the XF -- no surprises there -- with a thrusting snout and tapered flanks.

Needless to say, the next-gen XJ has a monumental task ahead of it, as the existing model has faded into obscurity against newer, more cutting-edge opposition from the German heavyweights (BMW, Mercedes, Audi).

However, having given the XF line-up a pretty solid thumbs-up after driving most variants, we're reasonably confident the XJ will be able to hold its own against the Teutons.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi