First Oz look: Jag XJ returns to its roots

JAGUAR Australia has announced the new generation XJ6 luxury saloon will retail for $149,900 when it goes on sale here in April.

The XJ6 - a name which harks back to the original XJ's 1968 launch - will be powered by the 3.0-litre AJ-V6 engine which produces 179kW and 300Nm.

It is the same DOHC 24-valve engine design that is already offered here in the X-Type and S-Type.

But because of the new generation XJ’s bonded aluminium chassis, Jaguar claims comparable performance with the superceded 3.2-litre XJ8 V8 model that went off sale last June.

The XJ6 is the new price leader in the XJ range which went on-sale last July. It undercuts the 3.5-litre XJ8 V8 by $20,000.

The car was unveiled locally for the first time by Jaguar Australia’s new general manager, David Blackhall.

Mr Blackhall, a former Ford Australia employee, joins Jaguar Australia after five years with Ford in the US.

He replaces Danny Rezek, who left the company in controversial circumstances late last year.

“While the XJ6 competes directly against BMW's 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-class in features and size, the price is more comparable to their mid-luxury offerings of 5 Series and E-class,” Mr Blackhall said.

The XJ6 has the same level of specification as the rest of the normally-aspirated XJ range in offering standard satellite navigation, television, premium sound, front-fitted phone and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

* Jaguar's also previewed the updated version of S-Type mid-sizer. First unveiled at Detroit in January, it will go on-sale in Australia around mid-year. No pricing or spec details changes were announced.