|
|
|
|
14/07/2011
REVIEW by EWAN KENNEDY
|
|
|
After too many years of designing retro-look cars, Jaguar has taken an all-new direction with its latest sedan. The new Jaguar XJ is positively futuristic in its style, particularly when viewed from the front three quarters and in profile. Everyone who talked about the big Jag during our review loved its shape when viewed from these angles. However, the rear end is polarising in its appearance, with some critics finding it rather fussy and awkward.
The XJ's interior is, if anything, even more interesting than the exterior surfaces. While being typically Jaguar in the feeling of luxury and refinement it provides, it too takes a futuristic direction. In particular, we love the semi-circular timber finish at the base of the windscreen, a shape that extends round and into the upper areas of the front doors. Someone described it as giving the Jaguar’s cabin a `Riva' boat style. This boat feeling is enhanced by a panoramic glass roof that gives the interior a light, bright feel.
New Jaguar XJ is a big car, but it’s low slung in the traditional Jag sports-sedan manner. While interior space is good in the two front seats, the back seat legroom is better described as adequate rather than luxurious in the standard model. We suggest the long-wheelbase (LWB) option if you plan to carry rear-seat passengers for trips of any distance. It provides an extra 125mm of leg room and that makes a huge difference. Just check the length of your garage first...
The latest Jaguar instrument panel looks conventional at first glance, but is as future oriented as the rest of the car. That’s because what initially appears to be a conventional array actually contains a cluster of virtual dials for the speedo, tachometer and ancillary gauges.
We have to admit to not liking the fact that only the readings for the current range of vehicle speed and engine revs are clearly shown on the computer generated dials. For example, if you’re driving at 60 km/h the only numbers easily read on the speedo are those indicating from 50 to 70 km/h, the others are greyed out. Familiarity may have changed our opinion on this focus on current speed and revs, we only spent our usual week in the new Jaguar. Maybe they would like to lend us one for a few months to see what happens - talk about wishful thinking!
We continue to be amazed by the dual-view 8-inch infotainment screen, something that we first sampled in a Range Rover a few months back. This screen lets the front seat passenger watch TV or a DVD, while at the same time the driver views the satellite navigation or vehicle information they request. Wireless headphones give the passenger audio for their program while the driver listens to the satellite navigation commands. Clever stuff.
The Jaguar XJ's audio system will appeal to those who like their entertainment on the concert hall side. The standard Jaguar system offers 600 Watts, while the Portfolio and Supersport models get a 1200 Watt Bowers and Wilkins system. Full surround sound, that adapts for front seat passengers as well as those on the rear seat. The audio system can play from your portable player, or you can download onto the car's hard drive.
Our test car was the sensational Jaguar XJ Supersport with a 500 horsepower, 375 kilowatt, supercharged 5.8-litre V8. What a sensational powerplant. It accelerates hard the moment you hit the pedal and emits a purposeful roar. A roar that’s perhaps a little too subdued for our tastes, but there’s no doubt this big British machine means business.
The suspension is firmer than that of the standard XJ models, but it adapts to road conditions to give passengers a reasonably luxurious feel, while giving the driver a huge amount of control and pleasure. The big car points nicely into corners and offers excellent grip, even on damp sections of road. The XJ uses air suspension at the rear that teams well with continuously variable damping, active differential control and quick ratio steering.
The iconic British car maker is obviously keen on challenging opponents’ cars like the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 with the standard models in the XJ range. But the supercharged Jaguar XJ V8 Supersport we road tested expands the list of competitors to include four-door sports sedans like the Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
XJ 3.0D SWB Premium Luxury: $198,800 (automatic)
XJ 3.0D LWB Premium Luxury: $206,800 (automatic)
XJ 5.0 V8 SWB Premium Luxury: $251,000 (automatic)
XJ 5.0 V8 LWB Premium Luxury: $259,000 (automatic)
XJ 5.0 V8 SWB Portfolio: $274,800 (automatic)
XJ 5.0 Portfolio supercharged SWB: $311,000 (automatic)
XJ 5.0 Supersport supercharged SWB: $354,800 (automatic)
XJ 5.0 Supersport supercharged LWB: $367,800 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer charges. Contact a Jaguar dealer for driveaway prices.
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in all models
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Satellite Navigation: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Jaguar XJ Supersport SWB 5.0-litre supercharged four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 5.000 litres
Configuration: V8
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 92.5 mm x 93.0 mm
Maximum Power: 346 kW @ 6000-6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 575 Nm @ 2500-5500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.31:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5122 mm
Wheelbase: 3032 mm
Width: 1894 mm
Height: 1448 mm
Turning Circle: 12.3 metres
Kerb Mass: 1892 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 82 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg
Boot Volume: 520 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Double wishbone, gas damper, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Multi-link, gas damper, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.7 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 95RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 12.1 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 4/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
