2011 Jaguar XJ
by Jim Prueter -02/2011
Stunning new XJ is simply irresistible
Jaguar’s flagship automobile, the XJ, has just undergone the most substantial remake in the 40-year history of the unctuous British luxury brand. Its dramatic new shape is unlike any XJ before it. So stunning are its looks, people point and stare, snap photos, and flash the “thumbs up” when they catch a glimpse.
From the front, back, and profile, it’s nothing short of gorgeous, as close to moving art as anything we’ve tested. I’ll talk about how the XJ drives in a minute, but know that one could be completely sated buying this car for its looks alone.
Our tester is the short wheelbase version, riding on the $1500 optional and outrageous 20-inch Kasuga polished wheels and powered by a 470-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 under the hood. The Jaguar XJ Supersport is thus the perfect conflation of opulent luxury and blistering performance. A zero-to-60 mph is reached in just under 5 seconds.
The standard Jaguar XJ is powered by a naturally aspirated 385-hp V8 that will launch the car to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. There’s also a special order SuperSport XJ model powered by a massive 510-hp V8 that will reach the same speed in just 4.7 seconds.
The JaguarDrive Selector, a drum dial that rises upward from the center console, operates a six-speed Jaguar Sequential Shift ZF transmission. Paddle shifters manually shift the transmission on demand for increased performance or for downshifting on curves and corners.
The interior of the XJ is every bit as glorious as the exterior. Occupants are cosseted in 20/20-way semi-Aniline leather seats with contrast piping, tonal stitching and embossed head restraints. All seats are heated and cooled, while front seats also have a massage function.
Soft grain leather covers the upper fascia and steering wheel; door panniers are also leather wrapped, along with the seat valance and rear center console. The standard headliner is finished in suede-like Alcantara leather (However — oddly enough — our test XJ came outfitted with the no-cost canvas version). Even the loop pile carpet is several cuts above standard automotive fare.
Thankfully, the old-school green dial instrument cluster has been replaced by a cool 12-inch TFT (thin film transistor) display with all necessary (and a few unnecessary) graphics and readouts.
The interior is fitted with a choice of six veneers: rich oak, figured ebony, satin zebrano, walnut curl, carbon fiber or piano black. There are six exclusive interior color combinations and a choice of twelve metallic exterior paint colors. Adding to the finery, the aluminum thresholds include the word “Jaguar” that glows in phosphorous blue.
The XJL (long wheelbase) Supersport features rear business trays, illuminated rear vanity mirrors, side window blinds, electric rear sunblind and cerulean blue halo illumination and interior mood lighting.
The exterior is best described as sleek. Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design chief, says the look is based around three pen strokes. The roofline has been pushed well behind the rear wheels to give the XJ the profile of a coupe. Its almost completely black panoramic glass roof cantilevers over passengers and dramatically contrasts with the body-colored roof rails. Unfortunately, the sloping roofline minimizes the amount of rear-seat headroom; it’s claustrophobic for those north of 6 feet tall.
The new XJ maintains the all-aluminum body and chassis construction of the previous generation and the front-end styling is similar to the midsize Jaguar XF. Meanwhile the callipygian rear-end features taillights on either side of the trunk that wrap over the rear fenders. The look is like nothing else on the road. Simply put, we think the new XJ is the most beautiful luxury sedan on the market today.
Driving the XJ strikes an excellent balance between luxurious ride and sporty handling thanks to the super strong, yet lightweight, aluminum chassis and adaptive suspension. Body roll is negligible, handling exceptionally agile and steering noticeably light, exactly how Jaguar engineers prefer it.
The XJ is available in regular or long-wheelbase (L); both are four-door styles. Four models are available: XJ ($72,700), powered by a 385 horsepower, 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 and equipped with 19” wheels; XJL ($79,700), riding on a long wheelbase that adds five inches of extra rear seat legroom; the XJ or XJL Supercharged model ($87,700 or 90,700 respectively), featuring 470 horsepower; and the XJ or XJL Supersport ($110,200 or $113,200 respectively), powered by 510 horsepower, 5.0-liter supercharged V8.
Choosing a model comes down to whether you prefer the short-wheelbase or the longer car. If you’re like me, you’ll select the latter, which weighs an additional 49 pounds, but looks so much more elegant and interesting.
With the completely restyled, supremely luxurious and stylish XJ, Jaguar leaps to the front of the luxury sedan class bypassing such iconic brands as Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8. A completely spectacular, satisfying and gorgeous luxury sedan, it’s the 2011 AAA Top Pick in the category.
