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As a company entity it is possible to put a label on Jaguar as something akin to flawed genius. How else do you describe a car maker that can give us the revered XKE or E-Type as well as the forgettable X-Type? You cannot help but reflect on Jaguar when it produces a big cat like the new XJ launched to the Australian motoring media last week, with an embargo lifted this morning.
The `new' Jaguar started it's renaissance back in 2006 with the release of the XK. Then, as Jaguar seemed stable under Ford, the kitty litter hit the proverbial fan. Ford put Jaguar on the market and India's massive Tata company liked the car so much they bought the company. The first real test of that marriage came with the XF, released in Australia last year.
The company that has a history – it celebrates it's 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name this year – of producing voluptuous, seductive models that are simply identifiable as Jaguar, even to the most non-car person. Cars like the post-war Mk IV, the lithe Mk II and the XK 120, 140 and 150 sports machines that ooze the Jaguar culture. It's one hell of a past to live up to in an era of computer generated design and fine technology in the lofty heights of luxury marques.
When Tata bought the company it also purchased the Jaguar dream which Jaguar uses as it's credo, that of building `beautiful, fast cars.' The third leg of the Jaguar rejuvenation is the launch of the XJ and to a lesser extent saying farewell to the S-Type after a nine year visit. Jaguar is going back to it's roots and producing cars as close as ever to the vision of company founder, Sir William Lyons, who was personally responsible for many of Jaguar's classic designs.
The new XJ comes 42 years after the first XJ was launched. It comes in short and long wheelbase, with V6 diesel or three, fire-breathing V8 petrol engines. It's a spread that sees the British maker tackling head-on the German trio of Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8. But wait, there's more. The 375 kW supercharged XJ V8 Supersport starting at $354,800 not only takes it up to the mainstream Germans, but will also attract the attention of those looking at Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte.
Jaguar launched the new XJ in the hinterland behind northern NSW and Queensland in a 300 kilometre loop design for a variety of driving conditions to road test engines, transmissions, ride, handling and suspension ... over uneven, typically-Australian country roads. Unfortunately the 375kW XJ did not make the launch – it is coming in a few weeks – but we were able to drive the naturally aspirated XJ 5.0 premium luxury SWB ($251,000) and the XJ 3.0D premium luxury LWB at $206,800.
As `garden variety' XJs these are likely to be the volume-sellers in SWB form, particularly the turbo diesel. This delightful 3.0 engine is a 600 Nm of torque variant of the engine found in the XF Jaguar and adapts beautifully to the larger body of the XJ. Apart from the tell-tale low revs on the tachometer this engine defies identification as an oil burner. At 6.4 seconds for the 0-100 km/h sprint it is the slowest of the XJs, edged out by .7 of a second by the naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V8 at 5.7 seconds.
The beauty of the diesel is it delivers small-car economy of 7.2 litres/100 km. All XJs are speed-limited to 250 km/h.
Externally, the aluminium-bodied XJ is a bold statement clearly embracing Jaguar's past, particularly at the pointy end. The grille is set into the body, in similar fashion to the original XJ. It has a profile indicating strength and speed. The rear end is a different matter. The taillights – which Jaguar call cats claws – are vertically positioned and give the rear end a polarising appearance. Interestingly, at first we did not like the look, but after a couple of hours following other cars on the road test, we grew accustomed to the style. In particular we thought they suited the black cars. We also like the use of the `leaper' Jaguar badge in what is a simple, yet effective, rear end.
The XJ's interior is typical Jag – refined, comfortable, practical and luxurious. A semi-circular timber ring around the dash and extending to the front doors gives the cabin a `Riva' boat style that adds to the club feel. This is enhanced by the car's panoramic glass roof which in addition to giving the interior a light, bright feel also lowers the roof line. The inclusion of a LWB option for Australia is interesting and explained away by Jaguar as an option for those who might like to own a Jaguar, but not necessarily want to drive one. Some where out there in chauffeur-land there's a few drivers in for a treat. The LWB version gives rear-seat passengers an extra 125mm of leg room.
From the basics of passenger comfort, to today's high-tech world, Jaguar have added appeal to it's flagship four-door. The instrument panel contains a `virtual' cluster of the usual suspects, speedo, tachometer and fuel/temperature etc. Being computer-generated the cluster can adapt to your command. For instance at the touch of a mode button on the steering wheel the tachometer changes to a command centre where options are provided for other functions.
We also like the optional ($2550) dual view 8 inch screen, plus digital wireless headphones. The screen sits in the centre of the dash like most other screens. With this screen the front seat passenger can be watching a DVD while at the same time the driver can have the satellite navigation on. The headphones are for the passenger so he/she can listen to the DVD audio while the driver listens to the Sat/Nav commands, or any of the various other functions. Okay, you ask, what happens if you look from the middle rear seat. Well, we tried that and you get one screen overlaying the other.
The XJ's audio system will also appeal to those who like their entertainment on the concert side. The standard Jaguar system offers 600W while the Portfolio and Supersport models get a 1200W Bowers and Wilkins system. This can be linked to your portable, compressed file player or you can download on to the car's hardrive around 10 of your favourite CDs for the `full monty' experience. The system is tuner for a full surround sound system, which adapts for front seat passengers as well as those on the rear pew. Because of the hard drive capability, the XJ offers a single CD player.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The 283 kW V8 has a terrific burble under hard acceleration and at 5.7 seconds in the 0-100 km/h sprint will have as much poke as many buyers will need or want. On the other hand the V6 turbo diesel is quiet with a purposeful whoosh with a heavy right foot. The XJ models all use a six speed ZF transmission with a sequential shifter. We had no complaints with the shifter hooked up to either engine we tested in a variety of driving conditions.
The suspension is firmer than you expect from a Jaguar, particularly a large four-door, but it is adaptive depending on road conditions. On the rougher road sections out the back of Rathdowney on the road to Kyogle the Jag's suspension proved it is not just a high speed autobahn cruiser, soaking up the hits and potholes with ease while keeping a firm grip on the blacktop. The car points nicely into corners and offers excellent grip, even on damp sections of road. The XJ inherits recent Jaguar technologies including rear air suspension, continuously variable damping, active differential control and quick ratio
steering.
MODELS AND PRICING*
XJ 3.0D SWB Premium Luxury $198,800
XJ 3.0D LWB Premium Luxury $206,800
XJ 5.0 V8 SWB Premium Luxury $251,000
XJ 5.0 V8 LWB Premium Luxury $259,000
XJ 5.0 V8 SWB Portfolio $274,800
XJ 5.0 V8 SWB Portfolio Supercharged (346 kW) $311,000
XJ 5.0 V8 SWB Supersport Supercharged (375kW) $354,800
XJ 5.0 V8 LWB Supersport Supercharged (375kW) $367,800
(*Pricing does not include government or dealer charges)
VITAL STATS 2010 XJ JAGUAR
Standard wheelbase:
Length: 5122mm
Height: 1448mm
Wheelbase: 3032mm
Width: incl. mirrors: 2110 (folded) 1894mm
Rear legroom: 987mm
Long wheelbase
Length: 5247mm
Height: 1448mm
Wheelbase: 3157mm
Width: (same as SWB)
Safety/Security
Front/side and curtain airbags
Dynamic Stability Control
Pedestrian contact sensing
Remote control central locking
Power boot lid
Front seat whiplash protection |
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