Super luxury with the new Jaguar XJ

JAGUAR purists may well take more than a second look at the all new XJ; the new car is very different from what has gone before.

This is a thoroughly luxurious saloon with looks to match and it is offered in four specification levels, Luxury, Premium Luxury, Portfolio and Supersport.

With the new XJ comes a very full specification, including an innovative panoramic glass roof as standard and a level of choice in colours, veneers and leathers which we have not previously seen in a Jaguar.

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I had the opportunity to drive a long wheelbase version in Supersport trim and it is a really big car. However once behind the wheel it is does not seem so and that is down to its nimble handling.

Providing the power on this occasion, a five litre supercharged V8 engine with a massive 510PS at the command of the right foot. Diesel fans do not dismay, the XJ is also available with a very responsive three litre 275PS V6 unit. Another power unit in the mix is a normally aspirated five litre petrol with 385PS.

I must add that the diesel engine has a CO2 emissions figure of 184g/km (189g/km for the LWB version); this is 14 per cent better than the outgoing 2.7 litre diesel engine.

Thoroughly modern has already been stated and the new XJ simply bristles with technology. A perfect example is the 12.3-inch high-definition virtual instrumentation display to replace conventional dials.

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For in-car entertainment a Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound option with 20 speakers offers the performance of a high-end home audio system and driver and front seat passenger in the XJ can view different content on the same screen with the new 8-inch touch screen featuring Dual-View technology.

This is the first car to feature the next-generation of Jaguar's aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture, developed and refined at Jaguar's industry leading engineering centre in Coventry.

Primarily aluminium, but also using magnesium and composite alloys; the XJ is the lightest car in its class by at least 150kg. The new lightweight aluminium structure comprises more than 50 percent recycled material. Simple to recycle at end-of-life means the XJ's overall recyclability is 94 percent.

No surprise to report that the new XJ is simply a joy to drive, ride quality is what you expect from a luxury saloon and the power delivery is silky smooth, very important as I suspect the owner of a long wheelbase version will rarely if at all take the driving wheel, more likely to be a rear seat passenger.

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Working in harmony with the glorious sounding V8 is a smooth six speed automatic transmission and I have no doubt given the right environment the electronically controlled top speed of 155mph could be easily reached.

Even the entry level model has a generous specification including such features as Pedestrian Contact Sensing, full colour HD touch screen with sat nav system and as you travel through the range the list simply grows and grows.

The Supersport version which I drove had the following and this I must add is only a taster, 20 inch Mataiva alloy wheels, Active Differential, soft grain leather stitched and tailored upper facia, door top roll, door pannier, door armrest and centre console lid with twin needle stitching, seat valance and rear A/C vent area, multimedia system and front digital/analogue television tuner Illuminated rear vanity mirrors.

Long wheelbase versions have the following executive touches, auto four zone climate control, rear privacy glass, rear electric blinds and side window blinds.

The all new XJ is far advanced from what has gone before and now will it capture sales from the well established luxury German saloons.

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