Wow, I like all aspects of this car...front, side, and back. I like how the rear is unadorned, simple, and austere. However, the black C-pillar does seem like an afterthought. I do hope that there's an option to make it body-colored, but even if there is an option like that, those 2 joints would ruin any chance of fluidity. I do see the similarities of the rear to the Lancia Thesis. While the overall design of the Thesis is pretty jumbled design, especially, its front, the rear I thought was elegant, and, at the time, futuristic...it just didn't mesh with the rest of the car. I give the XJ's overall exterior 8.3/10. By the way, I was hoping for at least 9.5/10, so color me a bit disappointed. Once the interior is shown, then I'll have the ranking figured out. From an exterior standpoin, I still do think that this will give the Germans a run for their money. It is quite a lithe and elegant car with it's weird little idiosyncrasy.
Also, it's not the british journos who are raving about the XFR, the americans are as well. After seeing the XFR in person, I can see what all the fuss is about. That car, and the XF in general, seem to be a bit more "special" when compared to the Germans. Even though I do love the big trimuvirate Germans, the XFR seems to be the best compromise of size, power, handling, utility, and comfort. The only issue I'd have with the XF/XFR is the touch-screen interface. The German publications are also somewhat guilty of fawning over their own countrymen's products as anybody else. It's natural to take pride in what your country works hard to build and produce. It seems that Americans (along with a good chunk of the world) are more merciless with their own auto products.
Just my observation.
