What with the weather changing so rapidly, I have put the cabriolets and convertibles on hold as a more important development has occurred - THE CAT IS BACK!
Sealing the lips of sceptic critics, Jaguar have unleashed yet another cat among the pigeons, this time it’s the turn of the XJ that has been modified rather tastefully for this year.
Now, Jaguar, especially the XJ range is a model come manufacturer whereby people that have ‘made it’ treat themselves to their dream car. Inevitably it is either a trendy sports but for the more distinguished of clientele, the Jaguar is unbeatable. My dad did. I still remember the beautiful racing green convertible Jag he proudly bought when success in his career became apparent. Sadly he sold it, as my mother kept being sick from the leather upholstery! My best friend finally qualified as an airline captain and promptly brought his dream car. The Jag.
The updated XJ simply accentuates this thought process. The new contemporary exterior styling for more assertive and sporting looks, sees a new front end, rather sexy side power vents, a rear spoiler along with a full width chrome ‘signature blade’ and new rear bumper. The 19-inch alloy wheels further adds presence to this car and customers now have a choice of two new exterior paint colours.
Inside the XJ 08MY - meaning 2008 my year models - is the same luxury one expects from the XJ range. Soft leather seats that have been improved in comfort and support so it’s rather like swapping your favourite armchair and putting it inside the XJ. In case you get cold, the front seats are now heated. The Burr Walnut veneer adorns the dashboard and subtlety entwines itself around the air conditioning controls with separate temperature for driver and passenger, the sat nav screen and CD radio etc while the leather four spoke steering wheel has the multi function controls for the audio, cruise control, Bluetooth telephone connectivity and the option Jaguar Voice.
Opt for the long base models and the rear passenger will certainly benefit from the extra head and leg room as they bask in the comfort of this car. Quite a few options are on offer from the Executive trim to the Sovereign, mated to a broad choice of V6 and V8 engines with Diesel named as Britain’s greenest luxury car boasting an incredible fuel consumption by covering 1000.2 miles on a single tank of fuel along with low CO2 emission of 139. Prices start from a respectable £43,642 rising to £60,252, which by comparison to say the likes of Mercedes is relatively cheap.
Drive wise she is a dream with new, all aluminium body construction ensuring a sport like handling, optimising the comfort yet saving on fuel. The six speed automatic transmission provides smooth and quick gear changes as well as taking more strain out of driving while the steering is effortless. Technology has not been penalised with some new toys such as Integrated Acoustic Dampening that guarantees exceptional levels of refinement and a blissfully quite cabin while acoustic laminated glass further minimises noise intrusion. The safely features are reassuring with driver and passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, ABS with EBA, Adaptive Restraint Technology System, Energy absorbent seating system as well as automatic speed limited- shame, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Computer Active Technology Suspension. Securing the XJ is a security system with remote control central locking deadlocking, drive away locking, glass breakage ultrasonic intrusion sensing, vehicle immobiliser and passive sounder with battery back up. You see, this is the difference, Jaguar think of all the extras not just the basics.
Sadly storage space is limited, but lets face it, Jags and kids? No I don’t’ think so. This car is for when the children are off at University or have flown the nest. This is a car you can enjoy and savour after years of hard work. This car is your treat. But is it? I still cannot help wondering if the XJ is still very much male based. I see women driving an XJ and assume she has borrowed it off her husband. But as if my magic, Jaguar seemed to be aware of this and took us to Jonathan Palmer’s corporate track, PalmerSport where I become reconciled with my beloved car of the century - the XKR.
Now we reviewed this last year and to my mind, this is Jaguar's breakthrough into the female market. The XKR is just a beautiful car to look at, to drive and proveing this point, Mr Palmer has brought 10 for his racing fuelled customers. That says lot of the XJR in terms of ability as a racing car but for us ladies that don’t need to be an F1 wannabe of the world, we can still enjoy its attributes as a luxury sports car. However, I nearly cried when I saw they had stripped out her gorgeous interior and replaced it with harnesses. Oh well, after all, I am now on track and ready to let this beast roar into action. Which she did is the most accommodating way. I may not have won the fastest lap prize but my goodness I did enjoy the exhilaration this car brings.
So if you think like I do, the XJ is the male tomcat, then whatever you do, do not dismiss the XKR for this is pure feminine feline car. Hey, you could buy the XJ for him indoors and the XKR for yourself, all the price of a CL class!
That makes puurrrfect sense to me!
Jackie Violet FemaleFirst