It has been a while since I had time to do a brand new chop, but I carved out some time the other night. I've done a new XJ coupe in the past, but it was a long-wheelbase model with a pillarless greenhouse. It was a halo car of sorts, meant to take on the big CL Mercedes coupe (now the S Class coupe). This red XJ coupe is a different type of vehicle. I shortened the wheelbase about 6 inches from the sedan, all behind the front seats for a tighter almost 2+2 interior, although this is still a big car so the +2 in the back is still fairly roomy. I kept the rigid B-pillar for the structure and I estimate the weight savings of this aluminum platform over its larger sedan siblings at about 400 lbs. The overall size of my XJ coupe is just about halfway between the XJ and the XF midsize sedan. This time around I kept the sedan's avant garde black B-pillar trim. I've come to appreciate that odd styling touch.
My earlier XJ coupe, a long wheelbase pillarless top-of-the-line model.
An even earlier attempt to bring back an XJ coupe was this version done before the massively modernized XJ saloon was introduced. I wanted to bring back the elegance of the '70s and '80s big Jag coupe complete with vinyl roof!
As much as I find the new XJ an attractive 7 Series alternative, I still love the looks of the older model so much better.
ReplyDeleteI took a bit of time to escape with your 68 Cadillac portfolio. I limited myself to alternate color names. Not better just different. How about instead of 'Burnished Copper', which I love - Sedona Dawn. I admire 'Silvered Green', an alternate could be - Atlantic Seafoam. How about Sanibel Sunset instead of 'Peach Melba'. Somehow I keep revisiting that collection, that era. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBobf
I just read that the next generation XJ will be even more radical than the current one.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't know how far they can push it.