Jaguar details fresh XJ limo

JAGUAR'S refreshed XJ flagship range will arrive in Australian dealerships in November with a re-jigged line-up, new infotainment and safety tech and subtle changes to its distinctive exterior design.

Pricing has gone up across the range, with V6 supercharged petrol versions of the entry level Premium Luxury spec rising by $1925 to $199,900, plus on-road costs, for the standard- and long-wheelbase versions, while Jag has eliminated the price premium for the V6 diesel in the same spec, which is also $199,900 for SWB and LWB, a $1100 increase over the outgoing equivalent.

In the V6 petrol range, the SWB Portfolio is gone, but a LWB Portfolio has been introduced for $228,900, while another new spec is the SWB R-Sport from $229,900, which appears to take the place of the old SWB Portfolio.

Buyers looking for V8 power can opt for the sporty XJR, which is up by $2070 to $299,600, the same price as the new long-wheelbase Autobiography – a moniker borrowed from Jaguar's sister company, Land Rover.

Rivals in high-end luxury limo space include the German trio, starting with the Audi A8 from $196,900 to $281,000, the soon to be replaced BMW 7 Series from $206,200 to $391,175, and the top-selling Mercedes-Benz S-Class from $196,500 to $490,000.

Subtle changes to the exterior styling include a bigger, more upright grille, sculpted chrome blades in the front lower air intakes, new LED headlights that bend with the direction the vehicle is steered in, and 'J-Blade' (for Jaguar) daytime running lights.

A similar 'J' theme is employed at the rear for the new LED tail-lights, and the XJ also has a new rear bumper with a gloss black valance and a slim-line chrome insert, and an oval exhaust.

Jaguar says it has lifted the interior trim for the Premium Luxury from the outgoing Portfolio. The new Portfolio now features quilted soft-grain leather seats with diamond stitching, embossed headrests and figured ebony veneer.

The new Autobiography grade gets 20-inch Mataiva wheels and more chrome on the front bumper air intakes, while inside there is quilted semi-aniline leather seats with contrasting stitching, leather headliner, oak inlay veneer, and stainless steel illuminated treadplates and airvents.

In R-Sport guise, the XJ gains a rear spoiler, three-piece front splitter, side power vents, deep side sills, gloss black grille mesh, a rear valance and 20-inch Venom wheels for a more aggressive look. Inside it features an R-Sport steering wheel and treadplates, piano black trim and a 'jet' headliner.

In terms of powertrains, the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel is now Euro 6 compliant and Jag has increased outputs by 18kW/100Nm to 220kW/700Nm, while dropping carbon dioxide emissions by 10g/km to 149g/km.

According to Jag, a more aerodynamically efficient turbocharger has helped improve performance in the diesel, while new eight-hole piezo injectors means fuel is sent to the combustion chambers with greater control, helping to ensure greater fuel efficiency.

The 0-100km/h sprint time for the diesel has dropped from 6.4 seconds to 6.2s, while official fuel use is now 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the European combined cycle, down from 6.1L/100km.

The 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6 maintains its 250kW/450Nm output and 5.9-second 0-100km/h dash time, but fuel use drops by 0.5L to 9.1L/100km.

Further up the range are a pair of supercharged 5.0-litre V8 variants, starting with the 375kW/625Nm under the bonnet of the LWB Autobiography, which maintains its 4.9-second 0-100km/h time, but fuel use is down from 11.6L/100km to 11.1L.

At the top of the XF tree is the performance focussed 5.0-litre 404kW/680Nm supercharged V8 XJR, offering a 4.6-second 0-100km/h sprint time, and the same fuel use as the less powerful V8.

All Australian-spec variants are rear-wheel drive – some markets get all-wheel drive versions – and while the V6 diesel and V8 petrol models get the eight-speed 8HP70 ZF automatic transmission, the V6 petrol variants use the lighter 8HP45 ZF eight speed.

Mechanical changes include the addition of electric power-assisted steering, which according to Jaguar “improves responsiveness and driver feedback”. This system has also allowed Jag to introduce semi-autonomous park assist to the XJ which is aided by a surround view camera.

Other safety gear includes adaptive cruise control with a 'queue assist' function which ensures the car maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front in heavy traffic, 'closing vehicle sensing' that works with blind spot monitoring to alert the driver to fast-approaching from behind, and reverse traffic detection.

Jaguar has taken the All-Surface Progress Control system from the new XE mid-sizer for the updated XJ, which helps provide more traction for powerful rear-drivers on slippery surfaces, such as ice and snow.

In the cabin Jag has introduced a new “fast response” navigation system as part of its InControl Touch Pro infotainment system which features a 60GB solid-state drive, an 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen that has a customisable homepage, and pinch to zoom gesture capability.

Nav is also visible in the TFT instrument cluster, while the XJ gets a choice of three digital sound system, including a 26-speaker 1300W system developed in conjunction with Meridian.

Emphasising its limo appeal, the rear seat of the XJ features an optional entertainment system with two 10.2-inch high-definition screens which fold away when not in use. It offers two USB ports, one HDMI and one MHL port for charging of media devices.

2015 Jaguar XJ pricing*

Diesel
SWB Premium Luxury (a)	$199,900 (+$1100)
LWB Premium Luxury (a)	$199,900 (+$1100)
Petrol
SWB Premium Luxury (a)	$199,900 (+$1925)
LWB Premium Luxury (a)	$199,900 (+$1925)
LWB Portfolio (a)	$228,900 (new)
R-Sport (a)	$229,900 (new)
XJR (a)	$299,600 (+$2070)
LWB Autobiography (a)	$299,600 (new)

*Excludes on-road costs.