Mad-Max Like 2010 Jaguar XJ Prototype Scooped During Testing

What appears to be in these spy photos a rejected proposal for a Mad Max movie car is in fact a prototype model of the forthcoming 2010 Jaguar XJ luxury sedan. The British firm plans to publish the first official photos of Jag's Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival in the second week of July but the company will most likely continue the final development tests during the summer as the car won't go on sale before the end of the year.

These photos don't tell as anything about the new XJ's design, but Jaguar's people are talking about a reinterpretation of the XF's styling in a larger package, meaning that the new XJ will look as much as the current model as the XF did with the S-Type.

While we don't have the details, the single teaser picture that Jaguar released in April does show an unusual styling treatment for the rear column that seems to house a wraparound glazing adorned with trim chroming.

The next XJ is said to use a re-engineered version of the current model's all-aluminum chassis riding on a similarly sized wheelbase as the current car. Once again, Jaguar will offer the XJ with a choice of standard or long wheelbase models while the engine range will include a 3.0-liter V6 diesel in 240HP and 275HP specifications and three gasoline units, a 238HP 3.0-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8 available in naturally aspirated and supercharged forms with 383HP and 510HP respectively.