Jaguar XJ, Porsche Panemera will be at Pebble Beach concurs as next gen model

The all-new Jaguar XJ will make its U.S. debut Aug. 12 at the 2009 Pebble Beach Conours d'Elegance, according to sources at Jaguar. The car will be on display for the entire Pebble Beach event, which runs until Aug. 16.

The new XJ will incorporate design features from the C-XF concept first shown at Detroit, Jag sources tell AutoWeek. The 2010 XJ's face will feature Jag's square grille and a curvy body with a coupelike rear window.

Jaguar is planning the world introduction of the new XJ for July 9. The event will be shown live at autoweek.com.

Jaguar design chief Ian Callum has said that the XJ's styling is the culmination of 30 years of learning.

“We think this car will appeal to people who understand design with a capital D,” Callum said.

Developed under the code name X351, the XJ shares its overall length and wheelbase with today's car. Using what it learned from the XF, Jaguar repackaged the interior to get extra headroom, shoulder room and legroom. There also will be an all-new instrument panel.

Two Gen III AJ-series 5.0-liter V8s, a 510-hp supercharged version and a 385-hp unblown version, will be available. U.S. customers also will get a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V8 in the entry-level model.

Both long- and short-wheelbase variants will be sold in the United States starting in January.

Meanwhile, Porsche will show the Panamera at Pebble Beach. The Porsche sedan got its global debut in March at the Shanghai motor show. Call it Beauty and the Beast. You decide which one's which.

By Wes Raynal