Pebble Beach in Montery California is the location for the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance auto show. This event is held yearly and the event focuses on classic cars usually, and each year features a particular marque as its focus. In addition to the classic car cours concompetition, there is an auction, a classic car tour, and an automotive art exhibit. However, many (mostly luxury) car manufacturers used this auto show as a platform to launch or preview new models and Jaguar is one of them.

This year they have decided to preview the limited to 175 units U.S only XKR175, which is essentially the same as the recently launched XKR75 for Europe and the new XJ design concept, which shows the styling for a potential XJR super saloon.

The XKR175 will feature the supercharged V8 of the XKR giving 510bhp. It will have the usual bodykit with more aggressive front and rear bumpers, side skirts, larger wheels and a super big brake kit. This car is very similar to the XKR75 but is basically an North American version (the '75' means that it is commemorating the 75th anniversary of Jaguar but on the XKR175, the '1' is to differentiate from the Continental edition).

The slightly more arresting news would be the preview of the Jaguar XJ75 Platinum Concept (pictured above). Built as part of Jaguar's 75th Anniversary and as a concept car to showcase the company's vision in customizing the XJ. Of course, many would think that this now shows the way Jaguar would go if it ever wanted to create an XJR version of their handsome looking large saloon. However, the styling exercise seems to have made it 'less handsome' in my opinion.

The body kit somehow manages to make this large saloon slightly sporty. It is also lower than the standard long wheelbased XJ and features dark chrome, gloss black trim, satin matte pearlscent white paint and custom made 22in wheels.

The engine powering the concept is the same 5.0liter supercharged V8 powering all of Jaguar's 'R' type vehicles; the XFR and the XKR models. However, the engine isn't the full blown 500bhp version but a 464bhp version. Since this is a concept car, there is talk that if an XJR were made, it would either have the same 500bhp or exceed the figure, as it is Jaguar's flagship car.

As for the interior, the concept car features Jet Softgrain leather almost everywhere. The air vents and veneers have a gloss pearlscent white finish like the exterior paint. The seats and headliners have full quilted suede inserts as well as some suede and leather accents here and there. The dashboard features a very exclusive bespoke clock with chronograph functions developed and designed by the watchmaker Bremont Watch Company with input from Jaguar. Very nice indeed.

Jaguar states that there are no production plans as yet and it is just a one of design. But it would be very safe to say that there will be a new XJR sometime in this car's lifespan.