2010 Jaguar XJ

 

                    2010 Jaguar XJ

 

The XJ, the flagship sedan from Jaguar, is for the connoisseurs. It’s got the X factor that few luxury sedans can match and it’s also got the genes of being an out and out performance beast. Not to forget that it makes a brilliant style statement. Launched in India in 2010, the XJ is not as tough and flawless as the German competition and neither is it as flamboyant as the Italian sedans. But that doesn’t mean that this Jag isn’t special. It’s special because Jaguar has tried hard to make it a different product and the manufacturer hopes that the XJ will prove itself to be good enough to compete with the German flagship cars. Compared to the previous gen XJ, the current model is more confident in appearance and lives up to Jaguar’s strapline which says, “fast, beautiful cars”. The XJ in India is sold Rs 82,28,955 for the diesel and Rs 98,62,038 for the petrol variant ex-showroom New Delhi.

Design

The latest XJ looks like no other XJ from before and gone is the low-slung three-box look which is now replaced by design director Ian Callum’s vision of a contemporary luxury car. There is something about a Jaguar that grabs your attention and on the XJ it is the forward-looking stance with the cat-eye styled headlamps. This Jag has sleek lines with a prominent front grille and its styling differentiates it from the German competition. The tail-lamp treatment is unique and the streamlined roof has a panoramic glass roof.

Interiors

Step inside and the Jag feels special with the leather and wood finish and the digital dashboard display with real analogue dials. There is a speedo at the centre, a rev counter at the right and an info display to the left. The graphics are neat but the cabin isn’t as flashy as the Audi A8. The cool blue ambient lighting adds a sense of occasion and the rotary gearshift dial rises up from the console at start.
The XJ comes in a long wheelbase version and the cabin has more than enough legroom for the front and rear passengers. There is loads of room to stretch and the seats can be cooled and heated. Even though the seats aren’t very softly padded, they are hollowed out to give plenty of headroom. The driving position is good and so are the ergonomics. The boot space of 520-litres is better than a BMW 7-series and the long wheelbase XJ comes with 125mm extra rear legroom compared to the regular XJ. In terms of equipment list the XJ scores highly.

Engine and performance

The 5-litre, V8 petrol produces 510PS and 635Nm of torque which gives it neck-snapping acceleration. The torque spread is awesome and the XJ reaches 100kmph in 5.7 seconds.
The diesel is no slouch either and the 3-litre V6 offers 275PS@4000rpm and 603Nm of torque@2000 rpm. The motor has terrific low end torque and the V6 with its twin sequential turbos enhances driveability and performance. The engine is refined and reaches 100kmph in 6.3seconds. Engine noise is well contained and you get linear power delivery and good throttle response. The engine uses a 6 speed automatic transmission which in Sport mode holds gears for longer and the shifts are quicker.

Ride

There are loads of electronics that govern the dynamics of the car and there is also continuously variable damping plus an electronically controlled rear differential. The double wishbone setup at the front and multi-link at the rear delivers excellent passenger comfort. With its aluminum underbody, the XJ doesn’t feel as heavy on the road and drives with precision and sporting composure comparable to a smaller saloon. The XJ is grippy, composed and rewarding to drive with the use of aluminum for its body panels and chassis. In ‘Sport’ mode the car firms up and the ambient cabin light switches to a more aggressive red. In terms of body control the XJ impresses and even on choppy road conditions the passengers are well taken care of. The steering is light and accurate.

Competition

The Audi A8 has presence with sharp and crisp lines and Audi has differentiated between the W12 by adding a flashier front grille with 8 horizontal chrome slats. The cabin is luxurious and quality of materials is immaculate and you can really fill your A8 up with features which rival first class experience. Interior space is good and the 6.3-litre W12 engine produces 500PS. The ride and handling can be altered according to your needs and the A8 sets a benchmark in almost all segments. The BMW 7-series hardly puts foot wrong and while the styling may not be as attractive as the A8, the feature list is good. In terms of outright engine performance the 7-series has the measure of both the Mercedes S-class and the A8. The ride is good and the handling is surprisingly agile. The Mercedes S-class looks elegant and stately and the interior space is good. Passenger comfort is one of the strengths but the handling is on the soft side. The engines are efficient and refined.

Verdict

There is no doubt that the XJ has charm and is attractive to look at. The interior styling is another of its strengths and so is the passenger space. Ride is plush and the handling for a car of this size is surprisingly good. The XJ in Sports mode feels sure footed and both the diesel and petrol engine have good drivability and performance is also strong. While the XJ does most things well it doesn’t have enough ammunition to make someone consider it over the A8 which delivers the best overall packaging in this segment. But if you are looking for a substitute for the German sedans the XJ would not disappoint and will also give you bragging rights.
Quotes from other reviews:
Autocar UK: ‘Another new Jaguar, another hit. The latest XJ now exudes the same confidence through its appearance that it has long possessed within in its mechanical ability. That the design contrives to offer, for the first time, interior space sufficient for the luxury car class, and means that reasons not to recommend one are falling away as quickly as retro themes have vanished from Jaguar’s styling.’