Jaguar XJ50 marks flagship’s 50th birthday, invites predecessors to a photo op

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The special edition model brings the finest things Jaguar has to offer

Jaguar's flagship XJ luxury sedan turns 50 this year, and what better way to celebrate it than a limited edition model, right? It's called the XJ50, and it has been unveiled in Beijing to mark eight generations of Jaguar's elegant, luxurious, and sophisticated saloon.

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Available in both standard and extended wheelbase, the 2019 Jaguar XJ50 can be had with either a 340-hp 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine or a 300-hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel unit. Regardless of the chosen powertrain, all XJ50 models bring unique styling tweaks including Autobiography-style front and rear bumpers, black front grille, unique badging, and new 20-inch Venom wheels.

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Customers can have it painted in one of four colors: Fuji White, Santorini Black, Loire Blue, and Rosello Red.

As one would expect from a top-of-the-line anniversary model, the XJ50 offers a sumptuous cabin featuring soft-grain diamond-quilted seats, XJ50-badged illuminated tread plates, as well as anodized gearshift paddles and bright metal pedals. There's also a commemorative plaque placed on top of the center console.

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The Jaguar XJ50 is available to order now with a starting price o £74,280 in the UK.

50 years of Jaguar XJ — the highlights

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– Jaguar introduced the XJ badge to the world in 1968 with the Series 1 generation, which four years later became the world's only mass-produced 12-cylinder four-door and the fastest four-seater of its time thanks to a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h)

– The Series 2 XJ was the first to offer a two-door coupé model in 1975, while the XJ40 released in 1986 marked the introduction of the "J" gate gear shifter and self-leveling suspension

– From 2003, the XJ switched to an aluminum monocoque body shell that helped reduce weight by 40 percent over the previous generation model

– The current XJ added new technologies such as all-wheel drive and a virtual instrument cluster

Now watch how the Jaguar XJ evolved through five decades, and then check out a timeline video of the luxury sedan's eight generations.

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