Jaguar's Canceled XJ: A Glimpse into What Could Have Been

Daily Car

07/11/2025

Jaguar once planned a new XJ saloon, but the firm halted it just weeks before the 2021 launch. Even though the car was almost finished, the board dropped it. Fresh reports now show that the saloon was laid out for two kinds of power - battery-electric and six-cylinder petrol. That rare dual design would have set it apart in a market that was turning quickly toward electric drive.

Key Points

The XJ was ready for the factory line when Jaguar axed it in early 2021.
It rode on one fixed wheelbase merging the former short and long versions into a single size.
Although marketed as an EV, its structure left room for a straight six engine.
Additional projects that died at the same time included a fresh F-Pace, a large J-Pace SUV plus a would be F-Type replacement.

A Luxury Saloon Meant for Two Types of Drive

Former design head Ian Callum states that the new XJ sat on a single wheelbase. Instead of offering a short and a long body as before, Jaguar chose one length that split the difference. The aim was a single, coherent shape for the flagship four door.

Two Power Sources in One Body

The most striking detail is that the car was never locked to one kind of propulsion. The main brief called for battery power - yet the floor and bulkheads were drawn wide enough for a six cylinder motor. Callum says the move was pragmatic - some top tier saloons that rely solely on batteries struggle in showrooms. A 3.0-litre turbo inline six rated at 355 hp and 369 lb ft of torque waited in the wings, ready to lift sales among buyers who still want petrol.

The Axe Fell on More Than One Model

The XJ was only one of multiple vehicles lost after a board level purge. According to Callum, Jaguar also shelved a next generation F-Pace crossover, a new J-Pace SUV sized close to a Range Rover but also a planned heir to the F-Type sports car. The decision marked a sharp turn in strategy - each of those “lovely cars” now stays on the drawing board.

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