With the launch of the completely redesigned 2010 XJ, Jaguar hopes to regain its reputation for styling leadership.

At an exclusive dinner, this evening, a select group of VIPs will get their first look at one of the year’s most critical and eagerly-awaited luxury cars.  Didn’t get your invitation?  No problem.  Read on and you’ll find out everything you want to know about the all-new, 2010 Jaguar XJ – without having to suffer through the rubber chicken.

The flagship sedan is the most important launch since Jaguar – and its British sibling, Land Rover – were spun off by Ford Motor Co., last year, and sold to the ambitious Indian automaker, Tata.  So, the launch of the 2010 Jaguar XJ is arguably even more significant and essential than it would have been were the marque still under Ford’s stewardship.

In fact, all but the final detail work was completed while Jag was still a Ford subsidiary, but at a point when the U.S. maker belatedly recognized it was time to let Jaguar be Jaguar.  And that meant no more cautious rehashing of past designs, but rather, a move towards the sort of cutting-edge styling upon which the British maker was originally founded.

Set to reach dealers this coming December, the 2010 Jaguar XJ aims to reverse the disappointing results of the sedan first shown in 2004.  Under the skin, the outgoing car was a high-tech wonder, with a lightweight aluminum body and frame – but exterior styling that was virtually impossible to distinguish as new.  Not so here.

The last generation sedan failed to move away from the outdated shape that had been used for Jaguar's flagship sedan for decades. Not so the 2010 model.

The ’10 does share a familial resemblance with the last two products to wear Jaguar’s “Leaper” badge, the XK coupe and the smaller XF sedan.  But it’s more than just a clone.  The overall look is more regal, elegant, with a broader nose that flairs into the sculpted grille.  The roofline is distinctly coupe-like, a bit of an irony, since many critics have argued that the Mercedes-Benz CLS (or coupe-like sedan), would’ve been the perfect Jaguar XJ.

Both standard and long-wheelbase versions will be offered, a competitive must in the premium sedan segment.  The longer version will give rear-seat passengers an added five inches of legroom.  A panoramic glass roof offsets the relatively small side windows, especially in the rear, allowing plenty of light into the cabin.

“The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar,” says Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars. “Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car’s side windows; that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar’s new design direction.”

The cockpit of the new sedan is decidedly more modern than what many past Jaguar owners will be used to, building on the styling cues first seen on the Jaguar XF.

The 2010 Jaguar XJ’s cabin is designed, says Callum, to be more like a state-of-the-art living space than an automotive interior.  Yes, there’s still plenty of leather and wood, as well as chrome and piano block accents.  The gauges are designed to provide a high-tech yet timeless feel.  The heart of the display is a 12-3-inch virtual monitor, which complements a second, 8-inch touch-screen display used for everything from navigation to climate controls.  For affluent audiophiles, Jaguar will offer a 1200-watt Bowers * Wilkins sound system.

There’ll be four different versions, the XJ, XJL, Supercharged and Supersport, the latter including such niceties as a leather roof liner, semi-aniline leather seats and laser-cut veneer inlays.

Like the old XJ, Jaguar's new sedan will make use of lightweight aluminum for its body and chassis, but virtually everything else is new.

U.S. motorists will be able to opt for one of three engine choices: a 385-horsepower, naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V-8; a 470-hp supercharged version of that engine, or  a 510-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V-8.  All engines will be mated to an electronically-controlled, 6-speed automatic transmission.

Though Jaguar won’t deliver the first XJ for another half year, the company says it’s already taking orders, with a starting price of $72,500.

With the launch of the 2010 Jaguar XJ, the British maker aims to look forward, rather than rest on traditional design.

The poor showing of the last XJ helped convince Ford it was time to find a new home for Jaguar.  The company has been a financial drain for many years, and industry insiders say it’s proving a challenge for new owner Tata, which is facing some serious challenges in the current global slump.  While the 2010 remake of the XJ won’t be able to solve all of Jaguar’s problems, there’s little question that if it connects with buyers, it will go a long way towards putting the brand back on the global luxury map – and improving its long-term chances for success.