Jaguar’s crowning achievement: 2012 XJL Supersport

2012 Jaguar XJL Supersport

As I was walking out of the hair salon one sunny autumn day feeling cute and sassy, I heard two guys say enthusiastically, “She’s sweet!” Not in the nice personality sense, but as in she’s looking good. Real good.

I glanced up and smiled as if to say, “Are you talking to me?”

They were not. They were ogling the seductively sleek, jet black, shiny 2012 XJL Supersport, my latest test drive. I giggled to myself as I looked down at my clutched hands. I held the keys.

And I couldn’t be mad about all the attention this car was garnering. Jaguar’s XJ upper-crust lineage goes back 43 years and includes royalty and heads of state being chauffeured in the luxurious 4-door sedan, of course with the optional armored, bulletproof feature.

Well, I’m not royalty but I came to understand why the XJL Supersport is Jaguar’s crown jewel. It is a beautifully-built piece of machinery, with British pedigree but is now Indian owned. A unique, exotic blend of spiciness and sophistication, Jaguar is clearly steering the opulent XJL towards a new generation.

In the few days that I test drove the XJL, it proved to be a conversation starter. Like the time I walked out of the Whole Foods in Silver Spring carrying an armload of groceries and found a guy was hovering over the car like he was in a showroom contemplating whether to buy it. He peppered me with questions. This happened time and again.

Not a people person? Then this probably isn’t the car for you because the moment you step out of it, you’re elevated to baller status. That’s understandable considering it has a base price of $111,000. When I pulled up at Tuscana West, an uber trendy hot spot on Eye between 13th and 14th streets, the valet insisted on parking the XJL right in front.

So what, besides bragging rights, does a $100k-plus price tag get you? Turns out, quite a lot. Its the priciest sedan in the flagship XJ line, which was launched back in 1968. The all-aluminum Supersport boasts a 510 HP, 5.0 liter monstrous V8 engine, automatic transmission with paddle shifters and 20-inch wheels attached to a long wheelbase. Safety doesn’t take a back seat. The XJL features front, side, and overhead airbags.

Jaguar XJL Supersport - LA Auto Show 2011

But it’s the A-list amenities that make you feel pampered. The panoramic glass roof makes you feel like Cinderella riding in a glass carriage. It even has electric blinds to shield you from the glare of the sun or prying paparazzi.

Tired of all that autograph signing and hand waving? Then, relax on the reclining seats which are equipped with a massager with heat and cooling controls. These lux features also come in handy if you’ve been out on the links playing a fierce round of golf.

And of course there’s the padded footrest to lay those tired, aching feet. If being engulfed by the elegance of dark oak wood and plush leather aren’t enough to further enhance the experience, you can turn on the Phosphor blue mood lighting that illuminates the cabin.

There is also a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 8-inch LCD screens with remote controls or if you have work to catch up on, you can use the fold-down tray tables for your laptop.

After checking out all that splendor, it was hard sliding back into the driver’s seat because this sedan is so spacious. But for my male passenger who stands 6’5, and wants everything super sized, he found the Supersport to be a perfect fit.

Yes, the Supersport has nice feminine touches, like the heated steering wheel for those cold winter mornings. But this car feels masculine--starting with the over-the top car key that’s almost the size of a smart phone. And, there was an instance when an XJL admirer had the nerve to ask if I were driving my father’s car.

Ok, I could have put him in his place about making sexist assumptions. But I could see what he meant. I did feel like I was driving my daddy’s ride. The XJL gives you the best of both worlds - the body of a sedan but the heart and soul of a sports car. And because of the roominess, this little limo was an even better ride from the back seat.

Now if only Jaguar could toss in a chauffeur, then fairy tales would come true.

Source: The Root DC - Washington Post

Jaguar XJ L Review: AutoExpress

British luxury flagship gets a refresh for 2012 – but is it still better to drive than be driven in? 

 Rating:

It's one of the most stylish luxury cars on sale right now – and one that owners would sooner drive themselves, rather than let the chauffeur take charge. But where the Jaguar XJ is concerned, is it better to be in the front or back?

To find out, we tested the 2012 model year XJ L – a subtly updated long-wheelbase version, which gets an enhanced interior and some more luxurious options aimed at improving comfort.

Costing £3,005 more than the standard saloon, the XJ L adds an extra 125mm to the wheelbase for even more rear legroom, so you can really stretch out. The extra length fortunately doesn’t detract from the XJ’s stylish design, and neither does it affect the driving experience, as our extended test drive from London to the Orkney Islands revealed.

As you’d imagine with a car of this type, the XJ L made light work of the motorway sections of our 1,340-mile round trip. Even at speed, hardly any road, engine or wind noise enters the cabin, allowing you to really appreciate the clarity of the superb 1200w Bowers & Wilkins stereo, which is standard on the Portfolio model driven here. It also has ventilated massage front seats, which really take the sting out of long driving stints.

Where the XJ L excels, though, is on a twisty A-road. Thanks to wonderfully precise steering, strong grip and agility that belies its size, this is one luxury limo than can also do a good impression of a sports car.

This sensation is enhanced by the wraparound cockpit, the ability to take control of the slick automatic gearbox with steering-wheel mounted paddles and the way the all-digital instrument dials turn red when you put the car into Dynamic mode.

The XJ L is available with a range of powerful engines, including a supercharged V8 with more than 500bhp. However, it’s the 3.0-litre diesel that makes the most sense.

With sufficient grunt for effortless overtaking – something that proved vital on the busy single-carriageway roads of the Scottish Highlands – and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 40.1mpg, it offers a perfect blend of performance and economy.

But while the XJ L feels brilliant from the driver’s seat, it’s not quite a class leader when it comes to the all-important rear seats. Of course, there is acres of legroom and the seats are extremely comfortable – even more so thanks to the addition of a new option package that includes electric recline, lumbar adjustment and the massage functions. However, the sloping roof limits headroom a little and the sporty suspension means the XJ L feels a bit fidgety on rougher surfaces compared to the totally unflappable Mercedes S-Class. And while the modern interior is beautifully made, it still doesn’t feel quite as special or as expensive as an Audi A8’s.

However, if you’re going to be spending most of your time in the front seat, none of this really matters. The XJ L is the limousine for those who prefer to have a steering wheel, rather than a newspaper, in their hands.

Source: Auto Express UK

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