It's fair to say that, in its latest incarnation, the Jaguar XJ has well and truly shed its ‘old man' image. Just as radical a leap forward as the XF was over the S-Type, this all new XJ looks set to shake up the premium saloon market.
There isn't even the merest hint of the old car in the new XJ's styling. Much like the XF, it sports a coupé-esque silhouette with steeply-raked A- and C-pillars accentuated by a teardrop-shaped side window graphic, a taut waistline, and a powerful swage line emanating from the front wheels.
With its prominent grille and narrow, feline headlamp treatment, the nose does appear to draw influence from the company's C-XF concept. According to Jaguar, the wrap-around rear screen reduces the visual weight of the pillars, and gives the impression of an exotic 'floating' roof. Perhaps the most dramatic aspect of the new car is the rear section. That strong waistline does lend the car the impression of ‘haunches' over the rear wheels and the rear end is thankfully bereft of unnecessary badging and adornment, save the signature leaper on the bootlid. The LED light clusters wrap over the rear wings, and feature three red, vertical strips that resemble claw-marks.
The sides of the cabin sport a bold architectural wood veneer sweeps forward from the doors to meet at the front of the car. The panoramic glass roof helps enhance the feeling of light and space within the car and features twin electric blinds. The XF's rotary gear-selector makes a welcome appearance and is joined by a virtual instrument panel and central touch-screen interface. This allows important information to be highlighted, such as low fuel or a change in radio station. It also changes the car's ambience, for instance the dials are accentuated in red when the Dynamic mode is selected.
The XJ's audio unit utilises a hard-disc-drive system that can CD tracks and forms the backbone of a faster, more easily updated navigation system.
The XJ plays host to JaguarDrive Control, which offers the driver offers two different modes: Dynamic mode, for a more sporting and responsive character, and Winter mode, for greater confidence in low-grip conditions. Each mode changes the characteristics of engine mapping, transmission shifts, Adaptive Dynamics and Active Differential Control systems and DSC interventions.
Pricing:
Jaguar XJ 3,0 V6 Diesel Portfolio R1 055 000
Jaguar XJ 3,0 V6 Diesel Premium Luxury R920 000
Jaguar XJ 5,0 V8 Premium Luxury R1 100 000
Jaguar XJ 5,0 V8SC Portfolio R1 350 000
Jaguar XJ 5,0 V8SC Supersport R1 525 000
Jaguar XJ 5,0 V8SC Supersport LWB R1 590 000
A road test of the new Jaguar XJ appears in the September issue of CAR.
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