The Jaguar XJ was introduced in 2009 and the company is continuing to prep its minor facelift of the flagship sedan. Caught undergoing high-speed-testing around the famous Nordschleife, the prototype has been equipped with modified bumpers, a revised grille, and full LED beams, along with new light graphics on the front and rear lights. There doesn't appear to be any other changes, but we wouldn't be surprised if the production model had some additional tweaks. Most engine options will likely carryover and extend to a Plug-In hybrid version, as previewed by the Jaguar XJ E concept in 2012.

Expect the updated XJ to be introduced at the Paris Motor Show later this year. In the meantime, leave a reply to us know what you think of this upcoming facelift!

 

Wondering if the lower two pictures are 4 wheel drive models? They sit too high for my visual preferences. Edit; on closer look they seem to be leaning away from the camera while cornering. I have to say that if the XJL will not have the NA V8 option, I will be looking at a different vehicle for my next purchase.

 

From the photos, the changes look rather insignificant. I agree the 5.0 L N/A engine is what makes the XJ, and represents the apex of this car's development. A smaller V-6 or inline 4 cylinder, even boosted (as in my '87 T-Bird 2.3 L Turbo Coupe), just doesn't cut it.

 

I agree!






And as a side note, even though there's no real place in the States to go all that fast, it still kind of annoys me that my XJ-L has a speed limiter in it. I don't know if it's true, but I thought I heard somewhere that the speed is limited, due to the "H" rated tires that the car is equipped with. An $80,000 car, and they can't put "Z" rated tires on it.....even if it's made an option?? For goodness sake, my lowly 1996 Z/28 Camaro offered the "Z" rated tires, and removal of the electronic governor, as an option (which of course, I went for!!).....

 

And I agree with you!

 

I agree! I had owned an American made car before that had a foreign-made high performance engine but, was limited to 112 MPH top speed due to H rated factory tires (max speed 130MPH). At that time I railed against the silliness of that decision; give the car a lot of performance potential then kill it off with cheap tires.

With the XJL it is even more so. The only thing that "may be" the reason behind Jaguars selection of the H rated Pirelli Zero Nero tires is that H rating tend to come with more flexible sidewalls, potentially giving a better ride than ultra performance tires where the sidewalls are much stiffer. I have had them both on my XJL and can't tell much of a difference in the ride.

 

I guess that is another difference between the supercharged and NA engine models. My car originally came with Y-rated Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires

 

Good point, although if that was truly the reason, I would think the engineers could have softened the springs a little to compensate.