I thought that I would share some Photoshopped images of the styling modifications I would do when I buy my own X350. I'm a professional car and product designer, I have identified a few features on the production cars that can be changed to modernise it and enhance the elegant lines. The X358 update doesn't attract me as much as the earlier X350 because of certain styling additions.

Both cars suffer from the requirements of US homologation regulations - namely those side position lights that are replaced by orange reflectors here in Europe. It's mainly the orange colour that ages the styling, otherwise it is an attractive, timeless design.

There is a wheel size sweet spot that makes the car look more modern, I think that 20"-21" diameter is optimal, buying smaller sized after-market wheels only seems worth it for track day performance enhancements. Bigger is fine if you're going for a pimped custom look but in my opinion 22"+ rims make the car look shorter and less elegant.
Looking through the picture thread in this forum, the red XJR belonging to jazzyjags' stance, ride height and wheel fitment really stood out to me.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...8/#post1579484
The wheel style is a good choice, it looks like a high end OEM offering and the multi-spoke style fits better on a sporty luxury saloon/sedan than a style that shows off the brakes excessively.

I believe the sizes are Front: 255 x 35 ZR 20, on 20" x 9" ET32 wheels and the Rears: 285 x 30 ZR 20, on 20" x 10.5" ET42 wheels.
https://www.spec1wheels.com/spl-001
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=10mm&sr=0mm

Below, I used one of his pics to Photoshop some subtle styling changes. I would hide the orange side repeaters by either painting them body colour and fitting X358 wing mirrors with integrated repeaters or just by spraying on some transparent black tint if the car is black. The US spec side marker lights are replaced with orange reflectors in Europe. To match them up with the chrome bumper trims, a chrome wrap performed by car wrapping specialist might work, otherwise sending them to be metalised by a specialist plastic chroming company would be the perfect solution. A thinner layer of chrome (like mirrored, one way glass) might disguise US side markers without removing their function.
I think that the metallic mesh grill from the X358 looks better. The XJR usually has a black side window trim but I really like the chrome.



For the rear, I would just tint the clear segment of the rear lights red, it simplifies and modernises the design. If it could be applied on the inside of the lens, that would look neater.

Here I used Exexpat's pimped X358 just to see what it looks like.



Is there any other part of the X350's styling that disturbs you? How would you change it?

 

Lovely wheels by Vossen Forged but a set with tyres probably costs more than your car is worth.
The style is very simple but their size and concave shape makes them look radical.

 

These look better in 3/4 view

 

 

Thanks for the compliments. You are very good with photoshop. I think the touch ups you made look great. I have always felt there was something left to do with the lower grille on the x350, specifically the R. Would have loved to see something a bit more aggressive sort of like BMW does distinguish their M cars. I know you mentioned the X358 look didn't attract you as much, but to me the x358 lower grille is closer to what I would like to see although still not quite there.

Maybe something to differentiate the hood of the xjr from the xj8 also, although without sacrificing the class. Some of the newer model Jags do add different front bumpers and hood vents to the more powerful models. That's the idea.

Here is an example, same 5 series body, but obviously this looks much more aggressive, yet not riced out. Very easy to distinguish an M5 from a 528i.




Can you work your magic on this?

 

These look sooo good

 

That'll take a bit more effort but you're right, a more aggressive front would really help. I'll get around to sketching it when I'm in the mood.
The main problem I have with the X358 is the narrowness of the central lower grill and also the read of the big Jag's elongated lines in side view is broken up with that vertical side vent and the suppression of the e-type style, corner chrome trims. Are those vents fake or do they really let hot air out?
It's still an attractive car though.

Wald's front bumper is an improvement but I think something more modern and less "bodykit style" would be better.

 

I am not sure but I think the vents are functional.

And the Wald is a little too over the top for me... that's just my opinion though. Maybe it would look better with thee right wheel combo.

 

These look a bit quirky but are probably quite aerodynamic, they'll improve your miles per gallon..

 

The soft curvy Jag with these aggressive angular wheels reminds me of the Lamborghini Miura

 

Big cat claws

 

These are the wheels from the C-X75 concept car from 2010, they should fit them to a production car, lovely design.

 

Some wheels (like these) really suit the X350, I'm just trying out different styles to find the most compatible styles. Note that they might not be available with a Jaguar fitment.

 

This one is interesting.

 

X358 side vent = Bling!
1:58 in this video

(and XF side vent = Bling at 2:45)

 

I'm guessing that they were imposed by some genius from Ford's global marketing dept.

 

I believe Ian Callum (Chief Designer) got a hankering for side vents, thus proving no-one is perfect.
Virtually all current JLR have side vents in some form, and quite a few other makes.
In some interview or other Callum claimed they were functional (I think). Well look at the build! There are quite a few mounting holes, and maybe just enough air can pass through to not end up accused of misrepresentation. Now look in the wheel well, or the engine compartment. Whatever could they be venting?
I own side vents (along with an X358 to keep them in place). Looks aside, it does **** me off having non-functional bling. Perhaps they don't look too bad, arguably, but I have nightmares (every night!) that I'm doing donuts in front of my friends, and the side vents fall off!!!
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Now, Mag wheels seem to be your thing. (Awesome choices BTW!)
But I'm a poor Jaguar owner. That means that I have to clean them myself. The standard wheel is 10-spoke which is too many IMHO. I say the same number of spokes as nuts is about right cleaning-wise. However, one day I still hope to be rich, and afford to pay a full-time mag wheel cleaner!
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Since you're a "car and product designer", here's a couple of other opinions on the X350/X358.
-You can hardly tell from outside shots, but sit in the drivers seat and the "bonnet bulge" became more obvious and reminded me of my E-Type of long ago.
-I didn't realise the X350 chrome bumper bits were suggestive of the original E-Type, whereas the X358 doesn't have them.
-Some people don't like the X350 "chicken-grill". Sure the X358 grill is great (bit like a Bentley), however the X350 standard grill was on most of the original XJ6's.
-I didn't understand "orange side-indicators" being dated. Headlights are white, tail-lights are red, side-indicators are orange (and air suspension problems are blue...)
(besides, no-one is trying to make an SS100 look like an I-Pace )
It is true that my Honda Insight and Elysion of similar age have white-looking side indicators which glow orange. I was too dumb to notice....

 

Those wheels in Post #9 will be perfect for you then, it won't take long to wipe those down, on the other hand, those Rotiform CBUs look like too much effort.
At least your Jag doesn't have fake exhaust pipes, the humiliation from those friends in your nightmare would be unbearable.

 

Overall I don't have any significant criticism of the X350/X358. Apart from how to keep the electronics running when she's 56+ years old.

2008 X358 vs 1965 Mk10
"First and Last of that Jaguar front, 1961~2009"

 

IMHO, "modern" design wheels don't fit the X350/358.
The best ever were the one-off 21" wheels for the 2003 Concept 8 car:



Second in line are the OEM 20" Calisto wheels derived from the Concept 8 wheels.
Btw, the side vents/grills on the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio were functional and machined from an aluminium block: