Old or new?

I like the new ones, but not as a Jaguar. Right the way up to the X358, you couldn't mistake a Jag for anything else - you saw it and instantly knew it was a Jag from any angle. But with the new ones? They look nice, but a lot of the styling is so generic. For example, the grille with the growler could be mistaken for a Seat if you only caught a glimpse of it, or were looking at it from a distance, in fact a lot of the shape of the car and the lines of it means that I have seen a black Seat at range and thought "Is that an XF?". Similarly the headlights ape the modern BMW styling and the proportions of the car and squat, forward leaning shape could have come from Audi. The back end is very unique but that's all I can really say for them.

I'm not against re-designing Jags, but the least they could have done if they wanted rid of the boxy shape of the Mark X onwards, is go back to a more seductive shape that evoked the E Type or the XK120, or create a new and unique to Jaguar style. Instead the modern XJ seems so similar to it's competition and so similar to everything else. It's really lost it's defiantly old-school, understated British styling.

I can't seem to find good figures, but I did get the impression that the change was to halt a decline in sales. I think those of us with a taste for traditional styling are in a very slim minority. (Personally I'd love a Mark IX. Screw the aerodynamics, the old ones are the best!)

I'd agree with all of the above and always weigh in in favour of the traditional, older styling. Nothing against progress per se, of course - the marque has to evolve and compete with other prestige cars so has to move with the times. However, I believe Jaguar could still have developed a supremely modern and technically advanced new model with the same traditional saloon design format (in the same way that they evolved the X308 into the X350) and still retained their customer base. This new model could have retained class leading features such as the all aluminium body and showcased a range of ultra modern new engines and other technological features.

Point I'm making of course, is that it could have also retained the same traditional body shape concept that gave it the unique Jaguar identity - abeit maybe with some very clever subtle tweaks. NOT just another facelift to the X358. Just don't lose the basic successful recipe.........

Is that making any sense at all?!

BMWs are still (albeit vaguely) recognisable as BMWs, just like Mercs and Audis which are still clearly recognisable as Mercs and Audis. They sell because they are good cars, and they are resolutely modern but still have some clear, unmistakable design links to the past - BMW in particular, although to be honest, it is getting difficult to tell them apart. I actually can't be bothered to try, as their design and 'atmosphere' does not interest me one little bit. Having said that, I fully understand why Jaguar had to move on, and I see Ian D's point very clearly - but I still wonder if it had to be quite so radical! Ian Callum came out with some typical designer nonsense about "edgy people driving edgy cars" in order to justify his approach - except it doesn't. Jag drivers are not edgy people, and haven't been since perhaps the mid or late 1960s. And he doesn't mean that sort of edgy anyway. As I said, typical arty-farty nonsense.

One of my favourites is the later model XJS's, especially when I see them in the rich metallic red - I'd love to own a V12 version. I'll always love the X308 and 350 style as well as my late Uncle had one in the 90's when I was about 10, electric sun-roofs and car phones were fascinating when you're 10
However, I'm really taken with the XF too - I love the way air vents open and that button pops up when you start it and I like the outside too. I admit the XJ has had to grow on me though. I like them in white now.

I noticed the other day that the A4, 6 & 8 have exactly the same style - they remind me of Russian Dolls lol. The new 5 series is an improvement on the last dogs dinner but like Audi it's just a 3 series on steriods. C-Class at least has some nice variations, you can choose a sporty look or traditional which I like so they don't all look the same but the E-Class is a bit dull for me now seeing as most you see are all 220 "blue effeciency" models with tiny office chair wheels.

must put my bit in this thread, im only 34 and bought my x type 2 years ago.ive always wanted a jag but couldnt justify the running cost of the petrol models so hence the 2.0d. for me the traditional styling is best, my favourite looking of the jag range is the x350,hopefully one day ill get the diesel version. the new jaguars xf and xj are beautifull in their own right with superb interiors and really comfy, but have lost the jag look. fair enough i do like the mean look with the new style grill with growler but those led running lights, in my opinion these led running lights should be binned as these are audi styled. jaguars do not come from the continent they are british and shouldnt look like euroboxes. so hence as much as i like the new jags these led running lights have ruined the new cars for me( i hate running lights anway). the only way id ever buy one of these new jags is if the running lights could be turned off. so even the younger generation prefer the traditional styling it wasnt just the older generation.

I'm a little split tbh, depending upon the model type .....

XK - Love the newer design more than the 90's model ..... and I love that shape too.

XJ - Gotta admit, I'm a fan of the older style - i.e. right up to and including the X350 shape. Long bonnet, long boot and low sleek roofline just scream Big Cat Saloon to me !! I have no doubt that the new model is a far superior car allround, with all the new refinements and gadgets, safety features etc etc etc, BUT (and this is it for me), from the side profile, it looks like a little like a hatchback !!! Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful car, and imho, far more striking than offerings from BMW, Mercedes and the like, but it's lost the Jagness that I like !!!

(Disclaimer - this is a personal opinion, and certainly isn't meant to upset or depress any new XJ owners out there)