Startech Enhances Jaguar XJ

Startech enhanced Jaguar XJ

Startech offers a sport and accessories program for the Jaguar XJ model series. The product lineup includes an aerodynamic-enhancement kit, custom-tailored 21 inch forged wheels and custom refinement options for the interior.

The nose of the four-door car receives some added profile with the front attachment that is mounted to the production bumper. LED daytime running lights integrated into the side air inlets are added as well. At the sides the English luxury sedan received new front fenders with integrated air outlets. Design elements for the side sills attach in front of the rear wheel arches and complement the fender elements.

The rear has a new fascia with an integrated diffuser and two integrated ‘design’ panels. They are combined with two stainless-steel rear mufflers. A subtle rear spoiler lip on the trunk lid complements the kit.

The Startech XJ rides on Monostar J Diamond Edition wheels. The three-piece forged wheels are mounted in sizes 9.0Jx21 and 10.5Jx21. They feature mirror-polished surfaces and titanium-look sections. Wider high-performance tires in sizes 255/35 ZR 21 in front and 295/30 ZR 21 on the rear axle are fitted to the rims.

The show car features a black exterior and a contrasting cream-colored all-leather interior made from soft and breathable Mastik leather. Two heated power business seats offer maximum comfort in the rear. A new center console with integrated storage compartments is trimmed with the same leather used in the entire interior and features lights on either side that illuminate the floor in front of the rear seats.

The electronics specialists have developed a multimedia system centered on an Apple iPad. Electrically deployed tables feature custom-tailored recesses for the tablet computer and the Bluetooth keyboard from Apple. A 20 MBit/s GSM modem with an antenna that has been integrated into the vehicle hidden from sight provides a high-speed internet connection via EDGE, HSDPA or HSPA+ protocols. Several passengers can communicate online at any time using a WLAN network available in and around the car.


Source: GTSpirit & AutoEvolution

Jaguar Land Rover at 2011 Guangzhou Auto Show

Jaguar XF (Left) and Jaguar XJ at 2011 Guangzhou Auto Show

Among the shiny nameplates that brought their latest and best products to allure local customers is British luxury car manufacturer Jaguar.

Jaguar reported a 91 percent surge in China sales in the first 10 months this year as it delivered 4,400 cars. As a niche brand, those four digits already make China its third-biggest market globally after the US and the UK.

But the company's management is not satisfied - they aim for long-term, sustainable growth in the lucrative market.

In the view of Anthony Bradbury, the newly appointed executive vice-president of Jaguar China, the auto legend has great products, so the imperative now is to develop broader brand awareness in the country.

An Oxford University graduate with major in music - yet fascinated by the car business - Bradbury joined Jaguar Land Rover in 1998 and has led in several key projects in marketing and communications. He stepped up to the new position in China just five months ago.

"We are still not as well-known as some of our competitors," he said. "That's why one of my priorities is to work on building the brand."

"What we find is when people know enough about Jaguar, when they come to our showroom, see our cars, sit in them, touch and feel the luxury, drive them, they will often buy. But not enough people yet know about Jaguar.

"This is probably the biggest challenge," Bradbury said, noting that the company will continue to build awareness of the brand so luxury consumers put Jaguar on their shopping list.

In an effort to take the "authentic British brand" to more Chinese cities and closer to local customers, the company has been working hard in expanding dealerships, mostly in big and medium-sized cities.

Together with Land Rover, Jaguar now has about 80 dealer outlets in China, and the figure is about to exceed 100 as the contract for its 100th dealership in the country was signed recently.

Bradbury said that in the southern market alone, Jaguar's dealerships will grow by 50 percent in fiscal year 2011 that ends in March 2012.



Tailored model  

In addition to dealership expansion, tailored models are also driving sales in China, Bradbury said.

The company currently imports the XF mid-sized executive sedan, the XJ full-sized saloon and the XKR high-performance sports car to China.

The XF contributed the biggest sales until April this year, when Jaguar launched the new XJ equipped with a 3-liter engine at Shanghai auto show. Previously the XJ was only available in China with a 5-liter power plant.

"That is a car that started our tailored-for-China product strategy," Bradbury said. "It has an engine and suspension that are tuned and refined to carefully match Chinese consumer requirements."

Sales of the 3.0-liter XJ jumped from the start. The company now sells almost the same numbers of XF and XJ models in China - a unique market structure for Jaguar worldwide.

"Probably at the end of this year we will be the biggest market for the XJ," Bradbury said.

That statement carried an element of uncertainty, but he said he is entirely sure that "China will be the most important market for the XJ in the long term and the model will be the heart of the Jaguar brand in China".

Fewer XKR sports cars are sold in the country in comparison to the XF and XJ, as the luxury car market in China is still dominated by sedans and the sports car segment remains underdeveloped.

Still, sales of the model have quadrupled so far this year over the same period in 2010, according to Bradbury.

Bradbury said that as roads continue to improve and people have more understanding of sports cars, the models will become more popular in China.

The company has taken initiative to hold city tours and track days across the country to promote sports car culture and gather more fans.

Front of the queue

In company discussions about product allocation, China is always at the front of the queue, Bradbury said. "We understand how important supporting China is as a sign of our long-term investment here."

Despite increasing competition, he is convinced that Jaguar is well placed to ride the strong growth in China's luxury car market, which continues to outpace the overall market.

Bradbury said his confidence in the brand comes from its unique nature. "We are not a me-too brand - we are a brand with rich British heritage, with an understated style, with elegance and nobility."

"We'd like to say at Jaguar that we are a breed apart," Bradbury said, noting the importance of maintaining its differentiation in the marketplace.

"Hopefully this more individual positioning will give us a strength. So as the market become more competitive, we will always stand to be something that is a little bit different, a little bit more desirable."

But Bradbury declined to give a sales target for the brand in China next year. "We tend to not discuss future sales targets only because if you do, whatever the number, it won't be precisely right."

"We want to continue to grow," he went on to say, "but it is not just about selling more cars, it is really important that we grow in a way that is sustainable and ensure the right infrastructure is in place to serve customers."

Source: China Daily

Jaguar XJ Luxury Saloon Wins Green Apple Award

The 3.0-liter diesel version of the Jaguar XJ had the right mix of economy and luxury to win a Green Apple Environment Award after being named Gold Winner for Luxury Green Vehicles. The award was voted for by members of the Midlands Group of Motoring Writers and presented by its Chairman, Ian Donaldson.

“This award recognizes the XJ's ability to achieve high levels of economy and efficiency without compromising on luxury and quality. The XJ has and continues to receive awards across the board – we are delighted with its success,” says Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar UK.

The XJ made its debut in 2010, and part of its eco credentials come from a new Advanced Aluminium Architecture that’s light and strong. The diesel gets an impressive 39.2 mpg, while still offering plenty of refinement.

Source: Auto Evolution

Jaguar XF and XJ saloon cars with 4WD will be launched by 2014!

Jaguar has planned to up the ante with an all new four-wheel drive sedan range. Jaguar top boss Adrian Hallmark has revealed that the British car maker will soon debut four-wheel drive versions of their XF and XJ sadans. According the Jaguar official these cars will be important for the company and will be the stimulant for its growth in the huge market across the Atlantic. Cars with four-wheel drive are particularly popular in places which experience snowfall in winters.

It is a huge untapped market for Jaguar and hence the car maker has chalked out plans to enter the 4WD sedan segment, he said. Even as the market calls for development of economical automobiles and hybrids, Jaguar believes hybrid technology is still too expensive to make it viable for them and hence to provide an initial sales boost, they have decided to target the 4WD segment instead of running behind hybrid-tech. It is quite a surprising decision since, the German brands are way ahead of their competition when it comes to development of hybrid-tech for their cars.

However, it does not mean that Jaguar won’t develop hybrids in the future. The priority for Jaguar at the moment is to complete the development of a four-wheel drive system for their cars with a global launch expected in the next couple of years. The development of the new drivetrain could also pave the way for a 4×4 SUV from Jaguar in the future. The United States is a big market for SUVs and Jaguar might have plans to enter the fray as well. Hallmark was speaking on the side lines of the Los Angeles motor show and here what he had to say,

“In the past all-wheel-drive has meant Audi and Quattro, but now it is something that the market expects,” said Hallmark, speaking at the Los Angeles motor show. “In the snowbelt of America it accounts for 70 per cent of sales, and overall it counts for 30 per cent of sales, so we are working on it and in the final stages of a decision. It is core to our future offering.”

The development of four-wheel-drive vehicles has been prioritized ahead of developing hybrids at Jaguar, as it is believed it will give a more immediate sales boost.

“Hybrid technology is currently very expensive,” said Hallmark. “The customer doesn’t want to pay for it yet, so while it is something we will develop for the market, it is a longer-term project.”

Source: Autocar & ICB

Jaguar XJ 3.0 Diesel is a Gold Winner

The Jaguar XJ 3.0 litre diesel received a Green Apple Environment Award being named the Gold winner for Luxury Green Vehicles.

The Jaguar XJ 3.0 litre diesel received a Green Apple Environment Award being named the Gold winner for Luxury Green Vehicles.

Managing Director of Jaguar UK Jeremy Hicks said “this award recognises the XJ's ability to achieve high levels of economy and efficiency without compromising on luxury and quality. The XJ continues to receive awards across the board we are delighted with its success.”

The Jaguar XJ is priced from £55,515 and this month the Jaguar XJ Sport and Speed pack has been launched in supercharged form which is the fastest and most dynamic XJ ever created.

The Jaguar XJ offers three engines with four trim levels. The range starts with the 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine which generates 238 bhp and returns 40.1 mpg.

The next step is the Premium Luxury followed by the Portfolio both of which can be specified with a 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine. Top of the range is a supercharged version of the V8 which generates 470bhp which is only available in sport trim. With its lightweight aluminium architecture, the Jaguar XJ is the most efficient luxury car in its class capable of achieving 39.2 mpg, whilst retaining high levels of performance and refinement.



Source: Motoring

Jaguar XJ Sport and Speed packs revealed in Dubai

Jaguar has revealed two new performance packages for its flagship luxury XJ limousine.

The new 2012 Jaguar XJ Speed package includes:

• aerodynamic splitter beneath front bumper
• aerodynamic splitter at the rear lip spoiler
• black mesh finish to the front grill
• red-painted brake calipers
• 20-inch wheels

The Jaguar XJ Sport pack takes interior and exterior styling to a new level, while the Speed pack boosts the big cat’s top speed.

The Jaguar XJ Sport scores an aerodynamically optimised front splitter and boot lid spoiler, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, optional front and rear sports seats, and an even wider array of interior colours and veneers. The Sport pack will be available on all Jaguar XJ variants in Australia.

The Speed pack will be exclusive to supercharged V8-powered XJs with the Sport pack. The electronically limited top speed of Jaguar XJ Speed models is bumped up from 250km/h to 280km/h – putting it just 20km/h off the pace of Jaguar’s fastest ever production car, the XKR-S Coupe.

Jaguar Australia brand manager Kevin Goult said the Sport and Speed packs are now available to Australian customers, although pricing is still being finalised.

He said vehicles with these packs would be built as part of the normal production process, and said the usual lead time of six to 12 weeks would not be affected.

Source: Car Advice

A Purring Jaguar XJ

The Britishness of the Jaguar has always been one of our proudest achievements.

Like the pomp and ceremony of a Royal wedding, you just knew it was going to be sublime with everything you asked of it.

Historically, Jaguar simply does, and does well.

The Big Cats of old reeked of cigar smoke, walnut and leather (I’m on about used ones at this point) and somehow that just felt right.

Nowadays of course, they have moved on, with the introduction of the brilliant XF which even now continues to win awards.

And then we got the new XJ which I’ve recently tested.

There are not that many on our roads yet, which is rather nice when you drive one – it gives a feeling of exclusivity.

But don’t let the rarity of this Cat give you the impression there’s anything wrong with it – far from it.

After a week with the 3.0-litre diesel Portfolio SWB version I confess it was one of not many cars for which I really wanted to refuse to hand back the keys to the collecting driver from Coventry.

Today’s version breaks Jaguar tradition – it’s both modern and very svelte and it revels in its modernity where others have felt, shall we say, ‘stuck’ in the past.

In many respects it looks like the XF from the front, but a little beefier and at the back.

In short, one could be forgiven for thinking one was looking at a futuristic concept.

My diesel version stirred 275 horses at 4,000rpm, with a limited top speed of 155mph, and 0-60 taking six seconds dead.

The torque figure of 600Nm looks like a typing error but isn’t; nor is the fact that the XJ produces just 184g/km and has fuel returns in the region of 40 miles to the gallon.

So it’s quick yes, and it’s frugal too, but what’s best is its refinement.

You barely notice the engine noise at all. And when you open the taps it remains barely audible, just like a Jag should be.

The emphasis is quite clearly on comfort and that is easily achieved.



My test car (I would like to think of it as mine...) had the Jet trim inside and it suited the car perfectly; no bumps or bangs, squeaks or rattles in there, no sir.

You can have standard wheelbase, as was mine, or you can go for the LWB, the latter a full 12cm longer for the rear seat passengers.

And whichever trim you opt for, much is made of standard equipment and not a long options list to choose from, save for a DAB radio, adaptive cruise control and the like – things I don’t feel are immediately necessary.

The cabin is modern and very impressive, the dash is angled away from the driver to produce a roomier feel and all the buttons and bits are edged in chrome.

There is an 8in touch-screen monitor through which all the majority of functions are controlled, much better indeed than fiddling around like you do in an Audi or a BMW with their complex info systems.

Against the might of the German competition, the Jaguar falls about right price-wise when you compare like-for-like.

I can hear some of you now saying paying £55,000 (the entry-level) for a diesel Jaguar, you must be mad. But are you? I don’t think so

This whisper-quiet, frugal yet potent diesel is the way forward. It’s just whether or not you want a Jag on the drive. I do.

Source: Ilkeston Advertiser

Jaguar XJ is one Elle of a Car

DON'T you hate those people who win a fortune in the Lotto and then insist that they won't let it change their lives.

You know the ones. "Well, we might buy a new clothes dryer, I suppose," they say. "Maybe even upgrade the caravan. It's a lot of money but we won't let it change us."

Yeah, right. Me, on the other hand? I'd spend it. And I might just buy one of these.

The latest and greatest Jaguar to hit the market - the flagship XJ luxury sedan - with all the trimmings, thanks.

We've driven the reincarnated XJ once before, not long after its release last year - in "standard" form with its silky five-litre V8 engine and its sexy, sleek design.

But this one is the real Lotto-winner's version - with a supercharged V8 and every one of the optional extras you'd expect on the most expensive car produced by the grand British brand.

There was a time, not so very long back, when an XJ Jag - or pretty much any Jag, for that matter - would have been nowhere near my "money-is-no-object" list.

Jaguar was a company mired in the past, with three models (XJ, S-Type and lamentable X-Type) all bearing the same stodgy, old-fashioned Brit-centric styling.

The XJ, in particular, had doggedly retained virtually the same look since it first electrified the motoring world back in the mid-60s.

And even though it was technically up-to-date, and physically a lovely thing to drive, it looked and felt like one of those old clubs in London where the gentlemen drink Pimms and wear leather patches on their jacket sleeves.

So it's a good thing that Jaguar finally conceded defeat and brought its flagship model into the 21st century.
The result is one of the truly most impressive vehicles on the road today - one which competes not only technically, but visually and spiritually, with the very fierce rivals in this category - Mercedes-Benz's S-Class, BMW's 7 Series and Audi's mighty new A8. You can even throw in Porsche's polarising Panamera, for good measure.

And even though it's hard to go past any of these German juggernauts, the top-spec XJ model we've tested here is pretty close to the best machine I've driven.

The XJ completes an incredible turnaround for the grand old British brand - which, as it happens, isn't strictly British any more.

While the cars are still built in the shadows of Buck Palace, the company is owned by Tata - a giant corporation from India, of all places - which has a certain perverse irony to it, given the history of the two nations.

The Jaguar renaissance, led by Scottish design guru Ian Callum, began in earnest with the gorgeous XK coupe - one of the best looking cars we've ever driven; and gained momentum with the equally beguiling XF executive sedan, which has been an unqualified sales success in Australia and elsewhere.

But it wasn't until the XJ - Jaguar's true spiritual flagship - underwent the Callum treatment that Jaguar completed this amazing about-face.

Callum's philosophy is simple. He wants Jag drivers "to feel as if you are sitting in a sports car, even if it's a luxury car".

The XJ certainly achieves that in all forms - be it the entry-level turbo-diesel model or the mid-range standard V8 - but most emphatically in the form of the supercharged V8-powered Supersport model we've tested here.

The glorious powerplant pumps out 375 kilowatts - enough to hustle this big limo to the speed limit in roughly the time it once took Jag drivers to light their pipe and adjust their cravat.

From the outside, the big cat stands quite apart from its German rivals - BMW's new 7 Series, the Benz now-familiar S-Class and Audi's all-new A8 - plus Japan's Lexus LS600. The Jag's styling is bold and dynamic - not as flowing and crisp, perhaps, as the XF but still an imposing and eye-catching thing with its long bonnet, squared-off grille, sweeping flanks and the quirky plastic inserts covering the C-pillars.

Inside, it's bold and beautiful.

The dash curves around the occupants with a circle of carbon fibre lustrously trimmed in fine leather - the flowing lines broken by two centrally-placed, dome-like air vents. There's a little plaque with the signature of designer Callum on the centre of the dash. You know a bloke is proud of his work when he adds his signature - and Callum must certainly be proud of the XJ.

The instrument panel is the ultimate in high-tech - using a virtual LED display in place of any fixed instruments or dials. The speedo and tacho use a clever highlighting effect to illuminate only that information relevant to your current rate of progress. If you're doing 60, for instance, only the 40, 60 and 80km/h increments are illuminated - making it instantly easy to pick your speed.

The Jag's technology is user-friendly, though - as opposed to the gadget obsession of some rivals in this class. An 8-inch touch screen at the top of the centre console controls most cabin, audio, navigation and climate-control functions, supplemented by some classy knobs and switches.

The screen uses "dual view" technology - which allows the passenger to watch a DVD or TV while the driver sees a completely different display - the sat-nav guidance, for instance.

It's high-tech, but wonderfully easy to use. On a long trip, my son was able to quickly connect his iPhone to the Jag's phenomenal 1200-watt Bowers and Wilkins audio system, via Bluetooth rather than the usual connector cable, so we could hear his music choices through all 20 speakers. Thanks for that, Jaguar.

Music choices aside, the XJ is a supreme highway cruiser - it eats up the miles with a languid, loping style.

By selecting the Dynamic mode you can sharpen the suspension and transmission settings to squeeze more performance out of the XJ. The parking brake is also a push-button affair.

The gear knob, or JaguarDrive Control (a circular stainless steel knob which rises seductively from the centre console when you fire up the Jag), gives the big cat another point of difference from its rivals.

Adaptive cruise control - which uses radar to maintain a safe gap to the vehicle in front, plus a radar-based blind-spot monitoring system - are part of the safety package, along with a host of electronic stability and traction aids.

Of course, opting for the Supersport model, with its $354,000 pricetag (as opposed to about $200-grand for the entry-level XJ) has its benefits - a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds (rivalling a BMW M3). That's a seriously quick limo.

Because the XJ is constructed largely from aluminium, it's about 200kg lighter than most of its rivals - meaning it's not only more nimble and agile in its handling and braking, but also uses less fuel as a result.

Not that it's necessarily much more frugal than its rivals - the Lexus LS600hL hybrid is probably greener, for instance - and Benz, BMW and Audi all offer higher-spec diesel options.

But what this car does have is character, and lots of it. And not the old-fashioned "character" that used to typify the XJ.

Not everybody will love its exterior styling, perhaps, but it is striking, sleek and handsome. Inside, it's arguably the classiest, most impressive cockpit of any car on the market.

And I'd also argue it's the best drive of anything in this limo class - with the possible exception of Porsche's Panamera.

Above all, the Jag looks and feels special - and makes you feel that way when you drive it.

And when you've just won the Lotto, that's exactly how you should feel.

JAGUAR XJ SUPERSPORT

DETAILS: 

Four-door, five-seat full-sized luxury sedan with 5-litre supercharged V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission.

TECH STUFF:
Supercharged 5-litre Gen III V8 produces 375kW power, 625Nm torque; 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, top speed 250km/h (electronically limited). Six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift paddles.

FEATURES: 
Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control, ABS with cornering brake control, brakeforce distribution
and emergency brake assist; adaptive cruise control, radar blind-spot warning system; adjustable sports suspension; 1200-watt 20-speaker premium audio system; virtual instrument display, dual-view touch-screen central display for satellite navigation, DVD and TV, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, hard-disc drive; multi-zone climate control airconditioning; panoramic glass sunroof.

THIRST:
About 12L/100km.

VERDICT: 
There's nothing sexier than money and power - and this car represents both.

COST:
$354,800.

Source: Adelaide Now...

Jaguar XF and XJ are geting All-Wheel Drive

After bragging about it’s new C-X16 Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, along with its facelifted version of the XF and XK, Jaguar has decided to come up with another reason to be gossiped: the two models XF and XJ, will get the all-wheel drive technology.

Due to the fact that the competition already has come with this system for their own cars, and there is a high demand for all-wheel drive cars on markets where Jaguar is being sold, and the automaker is currently losing customers to its German rivals, Jaguar is kinda forced to updgrade, even though the production costs shall rise considerably.

The company’s brand director says that the XJ is doing well on the premium segment, but, as usual, theres always room for better. The model needs some impulse in order to raise its sails and compete with the German rivals.

There is no information regarding when the upgraded models shall hit the showrooms, but is for sure that the gap between Jaguar and brands like Audi or BMW is about to become smaller.

Source: InAutoNews

2012 Jaguar XJ sports sedan available in New Zealand

 

Jaguar’s NZ distributor has just landed the updated 2012 version of its luxury flag ship – the XJ sports sedan. With new equipment and pricing for 2012 the XJ apparently allows for greater personalisation and flexibility of use, with the first models  available in New Zealand now.

Prices for the 2012 model start from $155,000 and the new XJ now offers the Rear Seat Comfort pack. This feature allows the electric adjustment of the backrest recline angle, four-way lumbar support and a massage function. Increased comfort is also provided by new winged headrests and rear seat footrests. The Rear Seat Comfort pack is standard on the long wheel base Supersport model and an option on the others in the XJ range.

There are new interior colour combination for 2012, available with both the Premium Luxury and Portfolio trim levels. There’s a Jet/Ivory option that features ivory seating with contrast jet stitching, piping and upper surfaces while the headlining is available in either colour, according to customer preference.

“An XJ should be the ultimate in comfort, design and refinement. The bespoke interior changes  incorporated for the 2012 model make it an even more special car to drive or be driven in,” said Paul Ricketts, the brand manager for Jaguar New Zealand.

There’s a unique full-length panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with natural light adding to a sense of spaciousness while retaining the sleek coupé-like profile and lithe stance for which Jaguars are famous.

In terms of construction the XJ uses a lightweight aluminium structure – 50 percent of which is made from recycled materials, this helps with improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The weight saved by the use of Aluminium – an average of 150kg compared to its rivals – also has benefits for performance and agility.

Under the bonnet there is a choice of three litre turbo diesel V6 engine and V8 five litre, with or without supercharging. All engines are coupled to a shift-by-wire, six-speed automatic transmission controlled by the JaguarDrive Selector or steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The cabin of the XJ blends chrome and piano black detailing with leather and wood veneer surfaces. There’s 30cm high-definition virtual instruments with a clever dual-view 20cm touch-screen that allows the passenger to view DVD movies or TV programmes while the driver is provided with vehicle functions or satellite-navigation directions.

Premium surround sound options include a 1200W Bowers & Wilkins system and advanced infotainment features also include hard-drive based audio and navigation systems and comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via the powerful Media Hub.

Jaguar XJ : Sharper Claws - The Hindu

 

The new Jaguar XJ is a well-rounded car that oozes styles and is exciting to drive

This new Jaguar XJ is a deeply impressive car, one that has strong character and plenty of appeal as we found out. Taking on the Mercedes-Benz S-class, the BMW 7-series and the new Audi A8 is no small task after all.

This big Jag oozes presence, lots of it. The way school kids point excitedly and supercar-hardened people's gawp tells you they like the XJ's overall design stance. And, unlike the long wheelbase versions of its German rivals which look a bit too stretched, the XJ's long bonnet and swooping roofline make it look like it was designed to be stretched in the first place.

It is entirely convincing as a luxury car on the inside as well. There's a nice cockpit-like feel created by the high centre tunnel when you slide into the accommodating seats. Thumb the starter button and, like the smaller XF, the gear selector rises out of the centre console as the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel hums to life.

Leather and well finished wood adorn most surfaces and there is a new-to-Jaguar digital dashboard display, in place of conventional, real analogue dials. Its resolution is fabulous and there are some neat graphics: speeds closest to the car's current velocity are beautifully highlighted while the rest is dimmed, and the manual gearchange selection shows up superbly. We especially like the old-school air-con vents that look and function brilliantly.

The rear seats, an important selecting criterion in India, are fantastic. The almost 3.2-metre-long wheelbase ensures there is plenty of legroom and more headroom than the swooping roof-line suggests; the rooflining is scooped out to make this possible. And, the seats are wide and comfortable – maybe not as nice as an S-class but impressive nonetheless. Equipped with the rear seat entertainment package, the car gets a gaming-console-like touch-screen remote to control the headrest-mounted screens. If anything, it's the low seats and the rather small rear windows that you could complain about – the XJ's rear seats don't give rear seat passengers the commanding view outside that a Merc S-class does.

The latest XJ uses aluminium for its body panels and chassis, an expensive process but one that, in the luxury class, only Audi's A8 shares. Unencumbered by the A8's four-wheel-drive system, however, the rear-wheel-drive XJ is one of the lightest cars in this class. Even this long-wheelbase version, at 1813kg, weighs just 13kg more than the smaller XF diesel!

This light weight means the 271bhp and 61.18kgm of torque don't work too hard to make the XJ get to 100kph in 8.5sec and even this figure doesn't tell you how effortlessly the XJ diesel adds speed in real-world use. What that figure also doesn't effectively communicate is how satisfying the diesel powertrain is to use. Throttle response is accurate, power delivery is linear and the six-speed auto 'box is intuitive, so you know exactly how much throttle to feed at all times. In Sport mode, the gearbox holds gears for longer and the shifts are quicker (and a little less smooth). Flicking the steering wheel-mounted paddles activates a manual mode which, if the car is set to Dynamic mode, will hold gears to the limiter. The powertrain is so refined that you can hear some tyre roar over course surfaces.

The other happy corollary of the Jag's light weight is that it simply doesn't feel its size when you feel like driving hard. Jaguar engineers developed both the short wheelbase and long wheelbase versions alongside each other with the chassis development of the LWB version even taking precedence at times. This shows in the way this 5.2-metre-long saloon changes direction with the agility and precision we've not seen on any other car this size, including the BMW 7-series.

The steering is light but accurate and the balance is impressively neutral for a car this long. And, unsurprisingly, with its long wheelbase, it feels supremely stable and planted at high speeds. This is one of those cars that shrinks around you the faster you go.

Switch the adjustable dampers to their softer setting and you'll find a car that rides with aplomb over most surfaces with the occasional shudder over lumpy surfaces. It doesn't have the same authority over bad sections as a Merc S-class but then again, the S doesn't have the XJ's low-profile 245/45-R19 tyres.

The long wheelbase and ground-hugging stance mean you have to be extra careful over speedbreakers. There's also that rather narrow boot aperture that will make loading bigger pieces of luggage a bit of a task.

The XJ diesel in Portfolio spec costs Rs. 83 lakh. It is a well-rounded car that is so full of character. But the downside is the relatively small dealer network, which means it won't be practical to own. 

Source: www.thehindu.com