Jaguar launches XJ50 to celebrate 50 years of model

Jaguar has marked 50 years since the launch of its XJ sedan with this special edition model called the XJ50.

Revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in both short and long-wheelbase forms, the new variant comes with the brand’s 296bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, which channels drive to the rear wheels.

To mark out its special edition status, the XJ50 wears bumpers resembling those fitted to Autobiography models and it sits on 20-inch Venom alloy wheels. There's also a black front grille, while body colours offered with the model include Fuji White, Santorini Black, Loire Blue and Rosello Red.

The cabin is equipped with soft-grain, diamond-quilted leather seats with an embossed Jaguar logo on the headrests and XJ50 logo on the armrest. The logo is also on the tread plates, while anodised gearshift paddles and metal pedals add a sporting flair.

Ian Callum, Jaguar design director said of the XJ50: “Spanning half a century,  the  Jaguar  XJ remains true to its heritage with a wonderful balance of beautiful design, intelligent performance and indulgent luxury that ensures it stands out from the crowd.

“This  is  a  car  worth  celebrating  and  the  XJ50  pays  homage  to  a  giant  within  the  Jaguar  brand  that  we  believe  is  one  of  the  world’s  most  stylish  sporting  saloons.”

The XJ50 is available to order now, priced from £74,280 (Rs 69.1 lakh). That makes it £13,970 (Rs 13 lakh) more expensive than the regular XJ.