Spy shots of the 2021 Jaguar XJ.

Jaguar's flagship XJ sedan disappeared at the end of 2019, but its successor, built on a new platform and equipped with electric drive, has been shown testing for the first time.

It is expected to be unveiled later this year and will appear as a 2021 model.

The new XJ follows the coupe-like format of its predecessor, but is modernized with new parts. The headlamps' daytime running lights are similar to the design used on the new Land Rover Defender, while the taillight graphics resemble the design used on the latest Jaguar XE. Jaguar revealed a teaser of the new XJ at the 2019 Frankfurt International Motor Show. It revealed that the taillights will likely extend across the full width of the rear end.

The vehicle is based on Jaguar Land Rover's new Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform. This platform will eventually underpin virtually all models in the Jaguar Land Rover portfolio.

The platform will support mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric powertrains; in the case of the XJ, the vehicle is expected to come exclusively with electric drive, although a hybrid option will be offered at a later date. Battery capacity is expected to be greater than the 90 kilowatt hours of the Jaguar I-Pace.

The new XJ will be assembled at the same plant in Castle Bromwich, UK, where production of the previous XJ ceased last July. The plant has since been transformed into Jaguar Land Rover's electric vehicle production center and will be the main supplier of batteries and electric motors.

Potential competitors for the new XJ include the Porsche Taycan, the upcoming Audi E-Tron GT and a high-end version of the Tesla Model S