Jaguar XJ – luxury redefined
Luxury cars are supposed to make you feel like you own a county, like it doesn’t matter that buying it has actually been a bit of a stretch and your wife will kill you – it’s supposed to make you feel special.
There are a lot of luxo-barges out there that do the job; the Phantom, the Ghost (actually, all Rolls’), and, if you’re Simon Cowell, the Maybach. But these stately homes on wheels don’t come without their problems, namely just how ridiculously ostentatious they are and, of course, the price.
These are problems that Jaguar seem to have bi-passed with the brilliant XJ – a luxury car that makes you feel like a land owner but without the hideous blood-curdling stares from members of the general public. Sure, it’s not that cheap, but you’ll see change from £60,000 to get the base model on the road and, for that money, it looks pretty unchallenged in terms of style and performance in the luxury car market.
Stand spec on all cars in the XJ range come with panoramic roof, 18” alloys, virtual instruments, an 8” touch screen so you can find your way back to the Estate and leather upholstery.
There are two 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines, and the naturally aspirated version is perfectly powerful enough. But, if you’re looking for the ultimate in performance, the supercharged engine has a seriously hefty 502bhp and 461lb ft of torque, and delivers the type of performance you won’t forget in a hurry. Even so, a lot of customers plump for the 3.0-litre diesel option. It’s far lighter on fuel, but it’ll still haul the XJ to 60mph in just 6.0 seconds. Perfect if you’ve asked the butler to draw you a lambs milk bath and there’s still a couple of A roads till home.
Tally ho!
Author: Stephen Gransville is a writer and fan of the luxury car.
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