The all new 2010 Jaguar XJ lineup is without doubt the sleekest and most handsome four-door sedan we will see this year.
Finally on-sale in Australia, the sophisticated, high-tech and gloriously luxurious new Jaguar XJ is available in an eight-model, long and short wheelbase lineup with prices ranging from $198,800 to $367,800.
XJ’s sublimely elegant styling is cutting-edge contemporary – and that could be a problem for traditional Jaguar owners. But when Car Showroom put this to Jaguar’s Managing Director, Mike O’Driscoll, at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, he explained the risk was worth it – that Jaguar had to be cutting edge again in order to attract new buyers.
An integral part of the new design is a panoramic glass roof which - as well as providing a light and airy interior - enables the streamlined roofline which is a hallmark of the XJ’s ground-breaking looks.
Under the bonnet, the entry-level engine is Jaguar’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 diesel with 202kW/600Nm, then there is the naturally aspirated V8 petrol (283kW/515Nm) and two versions of the supercharged V8 petrol – one with 346kW/575Nm for the mid-spec ‘Portfolio’ model or the 375kW/625Nm version for XJ’s range-topping ‘Supersport’ variant (short or long wheelbase).
Not surprisingly, in this league, technology and high-performance driving aids are everywhere including continuously variable dampers and active differential control.
Inside, the new XJ delivers brilliant luxury features and standout convenience. For starters, Jaguar says the gargantuan 520-litre boot can accommodate two large suitcases – side-by-side!
There is chrome and piano black detailing, beautifully crafted timber veneers, the stunning 12.3-inch high definition Virtual Instruments, Dual-View eight-inch touchscreen (enabling simultaneous viewing by the passenger of DVDs while the driver sticks with satellite navigation), 1200W Bowers & Wilkins sound systems, hard-drive based audio and navigation systems and more.
The long wheelbase models -with their additional 125mm of legroom - are particularly impressive, but regardless of the spec, the new XJ looks S-Class and 7-Series square in their headlights – providing the German superstars with a real challenge.
Jaguar XJ’s full range is:
3.0D SWB Premium Luxury $198,800
3.0D LWB Premium Luxury $206,800
5.0 V8 SWB Premium Luxury $251,000
5.0 V8 LWB Premium Luxury $259,000
5.0 V8 SWB Portfolio $274,800
5.0 S/C V8 (346kW) SWB Portfolio $311,000
5.0 S/C V8 (375kW) SWB Supersport $354,800
5.0 S/C V8 (375kW) LWB Supersport $367,800
