by Michael Gauthier
- Ian Callum shared new details about the Jaguar XJ canceled in 2021.
- The car was taller than before and offered a single wheelbase.
- Though designed as an EV, it could have used a six-cylinder engine.
Jaguar is gearing up to introduce an all-new electric GT, but years ago, the company was putting the finishing touches on a redesigned XJ. However, the project was killed in early 2021 despite being nearly complete.
More: Jaguar’s Future GT Has No Rear Window And No Patience For Cargo
We haven’t heard much about the car since then, but an image of a prototype leaked last year. It showed the model would have combined styling features from the previous XJ and I-Pace.
Fast forward to today, and designer Ian Callum has revealed additional details during the My Week In Cars podcast.
What Might Have Been
In the wide-ranging interview, Callum said the car would have broken from tradition by offering a single wheelbase that effectively split the difference between the previous short- and long-wheelbase variants.
So the stillborn X360 Jaguar ‘XJ-E’ has leaked. I’m still after the studio launch photos… pic.twitter.com/TrtdnCuOLt
The XJ was “pretty well complete” by the time he left Jaguar, and was intended to be electric-only. However, the designer revealed the model was “packaged to take a six-cylinder engine, if need be.”
More: Leaked Photo Explains Why Jag Abandoned Boring Electric XJ Project
That’s a surprising development, but it likely would have been a brilliant move as several electric luxury sedans have faltered. After seeing lackluster demand, Jaguar likely could have responded by installing a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six developing around 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque.
A Number Of Other Models Were Also Axed
While we knew the XJ was almost complete, Callum revealed the company was also working on an assortment of other models, including a new F-Pace crossover. Jaguar was also developing an all-new J-Pace, which was roughly the size of a Range Rover, and a new sports car, which would likely become an F-Type successor.
Callum was pleased with all these upcoming models, but then there was a management shakeup. As a result, “all these lovely cars were stopped.”
Only time will tell if this was the right move, but things aren’t looking good as Jaguar recently delayed their upcoming GT.
