New Jaguar XJ50 marks 50 years of flagship luxury sedan

With the launch of a new special edition model, Jaguar is marking 50 years of its flagship XJ luxury sedan.

The anniversary edition celebrates one of the world’s great sedans, which has been favoured by business leaders, celebrities, politicians and royalty for five decades. XJ50 will launch alongside the rest of the 2019 model year range in September.

Revealed at the Beijing Motor Show, the Jaguar XJ50 celebrates half a century of trademark performance, technology and luxury.

Innovating since its arrival, the XJ has epitomised the forward-thinking approach that has set Jaguar’s luxury sedan apart over the past 50 years. Four years into its life it became the world’s only mass-produced 12-cylinder four-door car and, with a top speed of 225km/h, it was also the fastest four-seater of its time.

Inside, the luxurious cabin features soft-grain diamond-quilted seats with an embossed leaper on the headrests and an XJ50 logo on the centre armrest. Unique intaglio branding and XJ50-badged illuminated treadplates also differentiate the anniversary edition, alongside anodised gearshift paddles and bright metal pedals.

Speaking on the anniversary edition, Director of Design, Jaguar, Ian Callum, said: “The XJ is the ultimate expression of saloon car luxury and refinement and has been for half a century. We couldn’t let such a landmark pass without recognising 50 years of Jaguar comfort and performance and the XJ50 is as desirable as it is understated. From its soft-grain leather upholstery to its distinctive alloy wheels, the enhancements are designed to showcase its traditional strengths – its unmistakable presence, trademark refinement and engaging driving dynamics.”
The new XJ50 will be introduced to the sub-Sahara Africa market along with the rest of the 2019 model year XJ range in September. The special edition will be available alongside the high performance XJR575, XJ Luxury, Premium Luxury, Portfolio, R-Sport and top-of-the-range Autobiography models.

The XJ range will consist of: 3.0 Diesel Luxury SWB; 3.0 Diesel Premium Luxury SWB; 3.0 Supercharged Petrol R-Sport SWB; 5.0 Supercharged Petrol XJR 575 SWB (Only for Mauritius); 3.0 Diesel Premium Luxury LWB; 3.0 Supercharged Petrol Portfolio LWB; 5.0 Supercharged Petrol Autobiography; 3.0 Diesel XJ50 SWB and 3.0 Diesel XJ50 LWB.

In sub-Sahara Africa the special edition will be available in both standard and long wheelbase with a 221kW 3.0-litre petrol diesel engine. The exterior updates for the XJ50 include autobiography-style front and rear bumpers. These mark the anniversary edition out alongside purposeful new 20-inch venom wheels, a black front grille and unique badging to the rear and side vents, while the striking colour palette includes Fuji White, Santorini Black, Loire Blue and Rosello Red.

The XJ Series 1 started the distinctive dynasty in 1968 and for nine generations, the luxury sedan has been turning heads around the world. Whether transporting VIPs and politicians, or acting as the preferred vehicle for business leaders and royalty, the XJ has been a mainstay on roads for five decades.

Further models followed, sporting both standard and long wheelbases, as well as two and four-door body styles. The Series 2 was the first to offer a two-door coupé model in 1975 and the XJ40, in production for eight years from 1986, introduced the celebrated ‘J’ gate gear shifter and self-levelling suspension.

A revolutionary aluminium monocoque bodyshell helped reduce the XJ’s weight by 40 per cent from 2003, before the current XJ model brought additional technologies such as all-wheel drive and a virtual instrument cluster. With the introduction of Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum’s now iconic design language, it was also launched with a wraparound rear screen and distinctive cat claw inspired rear lights.

Constantly evolving while remaining one of the world’s truly great sedans, XJ has enjoyed a series of high-profile screen appearances. Starring roles in movies like Love Actually and The Long Good Friday, as well as the James Bond franchise, are proof of the XJ’s enduring cultural appeal.