Jaguar is only a bit over a week away from revealing its next-generation XJ saloon, which is scheduled for a debut on July 9th at a special presentation in London before going on sale by the end of the year. Today the company released a new video detailing the car’s driving dynamics and how they straddle the line between agility and comfort.

Chief engineer Mike Cross takes us through the car’s handling characteristics, what it sounds like, and some of the technological tools Jaguar employed to make it as balanced as they hope it will ultimately prove to be. Acknowledging that most people these days drive their executive limos and sedans rather than riding in them, Cross said, “It’s a great car to be driven in. It’s an even better car to drive.”

Speaking at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, Jaguar’s Mike O’Driscoll released some details about the upcoming flagship along with a teaser image and a video interview with Ian Callum.

The new XJ will be the first model feature the next-generation of Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminum body architecture, and it will be available with the carmaker’s latest 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and 510hp 5.0L supercharged petrol V8. A plug-in hybrid variant is also rumored to be launched one year after the regular model, though no confirmation has been made on this yet.

As indicated by the teasers released so far, Jaguar designers have focused on alleviating many of the current XJ’s criticisms – namely the outdated styling and lack of engine options. One insider who has seen concept sketches for the car described it as looking like the C-XF’s features had been draped over an Aston Martin Rapide.

Previous spy shots revealed that the headlights will likely share some XF traits, though the rear could get fully-modern LED units of a unique design, possibly sharing hints of the Bentley Continental GT Flying Spur – one of the cars Jaguar would eventually like to rival with its new XJ.

High-tech features inside are said to include pressure sensing buttons, combined with backlit glass panels and the retracting transmission selector knob used in the XF.