Future Luxury Cars: Jaguar XJ, BMW Five
Future Luxury Cars: Jaguar XJ, BMW Five/6 Series, and Infiniti Q60
a href=”http://www.automobilemag.com/jaguar/”>Jaguar XJ
The current XJ made a clean break from the upright and prim design of its predecessors, and we acknowledged the accomplishment by providing the longer, broader sedan our Design of the Year award for 2011. The next Jaguar XJ will be far less swoopy, returning to its roots as a classic three-box sedan. Its aluminum architecture, which will be used for both short- and long-wheelbase models, will feature adaptive air suspension and will be able to accommodate both rear- and all-wheel drive. A nine-speed automatic will likely be the transmission choice, and engines should include a turbo-four, a supercharged V-6, and a throated V-8 with R and RS variants. Expect a plug-in hybrid powertrain, too.
Audi A8, BMW seven Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class–good cars, all of them, but they`re too conformist for some. The XJ has been and will proceed to be an outlier in the world of luxury sedans with big back seats. The sales target for the Jag, which aims to be very British but also totally contemporary, is in the area of 30,000 units annually–less than a third of what the S-Class summons.
The usual suspects–patchy quality, ho-hum reliability, and dubious durability–could persist, and the next-generation XJ will also likely be behind its competition as far as autonomous-style driving features, scalable electromobility, and top-notch infotainment are worried.
The next Jaguar XJ, internally known as project X360, is due to come in production in late two thousand eighteen as a two thousand nineteen model.
What We Know
BMW`s midsize sedan and its coupe counterpart will lose weight by employing more carbon fiber, high-strength steel, and aluminum, as well as magnesium and titanium lumps. The five Series will likely be available as a sedan, wagon, and Gran Turismo. The six Series will come in three figure styles: coupe, cabriolet, and Gran Coupe. A turbocharged inline-four will put out about two hundred fifty hp, a turbo six-pot should supply three hundred fifty hp, and a V-8 should be good for four hundred seventy five hp. A diesel and a hybrid will also be available. The next M5 and M6 should come as standard with the 600-hp V-8 from the 30th anniversary M5.
Why It Matters
The five Series has long been one of our dearest sports sedans, but our eye has commenced to wander. The five Series isn`t exactly the compact, engaging car we very first fell in love with, and other cars in its competitive set have caught up. This retooling has us hopeful that we`ll renew our affair with a lighter, more agile five Series and a sleeker, sexier six Series.
Potential Pitfalls
The A6, CTS, and E-Class have become truly good cars, so it`ll be difficult for the five to reclaim its crown.
When to Expect It
The revised BMW five and six Series should debut for the two thousand seventeen model year.
Infiniti Q60
What We Know
When Infiniti very first showcased the Q60 concept at the Detroit auto display in January, the fresh coupe`s flowing lines and dramatic presence piqued our interest–and the more we learned, the more we desired to know. Its fresh twin-turbo, Three.0-liter V-6 will make around four hundred horsepower, and rear-wheel drive is still on the menu. Infiniti`s use of aluminum in the assets structure means the car will be lighter than the Q50 sedan on which it is based. Best of all, the sexy concept isn`t all for showcase: Infiniti insists the forthcoming production model`s design will draw strenuously from the concept car.
Why It Matters
The very first two generations of Infiniti G cars came close to achieving parity with the BMW three Series thanks to acute dynamics and shapely styling. But then the tech-laden Q50 sedan lost its way. With the Q60, Infiniti emerges to be back on track, targeting the BMW four Series as well as fresh competitors such as the Cadillac ATS coupe. The coupe will attempt to walk the skinny line inbetween outright spectacle and pioneering technology.
Potential Pitfalls
If we point to any single thing that could ruin this high-powered, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe, steering is the main suspect. Infiniti is hesitant to give up on its expensive fresh steer-by-wire technology, which from an enthusiast standpoint has been vague and lifeless at best.
When to Expect It
A debut at the two thousand sixteen Detroit auto showcase is likely.
