Jaguar Land Rover to celebrate multiple anniversaries in Paris

Jaguar Land Rover will celebrate two milestones at the Paris motor show next week, with Jaguar celebrating 50 years since the introduction of its XJ saloon, and Land Rover celebrating 70 years since the company’s foundation.

To mark half a century of XJ production, Jaguar will send a convoy of eight cars from its Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant to Paris, each representing a generation of the model.

In 1968 Jaguar founder William Lyons unveiled the XJ Saloon at a motor show in Paris. 50 years later, his personal Series 1 XJ will be on display alongside the 2018 XJ50 Special Edition.

Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director said, “the Jaguar XJ is an iconic nameplate and has been a mainstay of the brand for as long as I can remember. We have always paid close attention to this car’s origins when reimagining it for the modern day, so it is fantastic that the current vehicle will sit alongside the original for all to see.”

Land Rover will celebrate its 70th anniversary by unveiling a customised Discovery that is set to enter service with the Austrian Red Cross.

Inspired by the Project Hero concept car, the Discovery will serve as a “mobile nerve centre for disaster emergencies from which experts can direct rescue operations”.

"Our partnership with the Red Cross isn’t just about our vehicles. Since we started collaborating in 1954, our aim has been to help the Red Cross improve its disaster response and ultimately to help save lives," said Michael van der Sande, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations.

"Over the past 18 months our engineers have worked closely with the emergency response team at the Austrian Red Cross, deploying Land Rover’s technology and talent to create a unique solution for the Red Cross in the region."

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