New Jag XJ

Off-topic
1

I had the great pleasure to be invited to my local Jag dealer for the pre launch test drive of the new XJ which will be available from (I am told) mid May, and I thought you may be interested in my thoughts on the car after having spent about an hour behind the wheel.

Up close, the car is stunningly beautiful with some curvy lines and quite agressive front end. It is quite a bit taller than the current XJ and I suppose to some degree and from certain angles it could be mistaken for the current Mondeo.

Inside the cockpit wraps itself around you closeting you in leather (and the car I drove) carbon fibre malthough the more traditional wood options are also available. Multi positional electric seats as you would expect, keyless ignition and the knob that raises itself out of the centre console when you fire the engine up.

The first thing that struck me was the virtual display dashboard. Still conventional dials, but akin to something my daughter would see on her X Box. Nicer than say the French type of digital speedo, but something that would probably take me a while to get used to.

Automatic gearbox is slick and seamless through its 6 speed box, but I like the way that the paddle shifts can allow the car to be driven manually or hold the right paddle in for 2 seconds and it reverts to full automatic with each gear you are in displayed in the left hand clock on the dashboard.

I drove the 3.0 Diesel engined car, and the first thing that hit me was that it sounded nothing like a diesel. There was no traditional diesel clatter, in fact it sounded like a normal petrol engine, and inside there is no noise at all.

The car is electronically limited to 155 MPH (as are all models) and whilst the bigger petrol engines may be a tad quicker off the line and up to 60, to be honest the big diesel was so quick and responsive I think in real terms you would be hard pushed to notice the difference.

Ride is smooth with just the right balance between rigidity and body roll and it actually does not feel that big once on the move. I hustled it through a few quick corners and it stuck to the road like the preverbial limpet, but you can switch to dynamic mode which raises the revs and stiffens up the suspension a tad, although again I found standard setting quite OK.

The engine is smooth, I mean really smooth, and the slightest whiff of throttle catapults you forward at an alarming rate if that is your bag, but conversley at 30 MPH it would sit there quite happily and still be refined and effortless.

Brakes are as you would expect from Jaguar, top notch.

Reversing is made easier by the TV monitor which switches on as soon a you engage reverse and gives a clear picture along with sensor bars to help you gauge distances, you just have to make sure that you also keep a check on your door mirrors as it easy to forget that thre may be vehicles parked alongside in confined spaces. But being a hatchback with a high boot line, the TV camera (which are located discreetly in the rear light clusters) is certainly a useful tool.

My biggest gripe, if you can call it a gripe? The car has a twin panaromic sunroof which means that headroom is lost, and I could not get comfortable because at 6 feet 5 I had the seat as low as it would go and reclined the back of the seat as far as I dare, but I still not get 100% comfortable, and by the time I got back my back ached quite a bit. Apparently a few other people have made similar comments, and having compared the XJ with the XF, I have to say that if I was in the market for a new car right now, I would have to seriously consider the XF over the XJ for that very reason.

No one could tell me if they plan to build the car without a sunroof, but every car there had one, but if they get too many comments like that they may have to consider it anyway.

That apart, I have to say that it was a very refined and impressive car with handsome looks, and if, the lack of seat height was sorted, a car I would very seriously consider in the future, although I got back into my 09 X-Type and immidiately felt comfortable and at home.

If you do get the opportunity to test drive the car(s) and apparently the road show is travelling around the country, I would seriously recommend the experience, and I would be interested to hear others thoughts after they have tried it.

2

U’ho I’m not letting him near any test driving :crazy: I’m quite happy with the X Type S D we have although in many ways prefer my old Mondeo :smiley:

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it is a mondeo:Pwith a jag badge on it:)

4

Obviously some years ago, I had an invite to the launch of the XK8 at our local dealer, loads of food ,a string quartet and so much champagne the wife had to drive home! Try and get to the launch for this one if you can its a great party. :stuck_out_tongue:

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I know it is Tug you don’t have to keep telling me, I ain’t got Alzheimer’s just yet. :P:D:D

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Actually the only thing the X-Type and the Mondeo have in common is the floor plan.:wink:

7

Having spent 5 years selling Jag’s the new XJ is a car i will definately be going to have a good long look at. Not likely to afford one but you can always dream.

8

And the V6? And switchgear? and and and…nice little cars though. I love my XJR and (old!) XK8 convertible…Yeah, i know the XK8 is a giffers car but the R isn’t…:):slight_smile:

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I’ve seen a few of these up and down the M40 on my commute over the past month or so . Might have something to do with me working just up the road from the factory and they are almost certainly staff/press cars but they really are a very imposing bit of kit . Not seen any with the pan roof yet though ?

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Mmmm i never understood what the issue was with people always comparing the Mondeo and the X-type. When Ford owned Jaguar they also owned Mazda, Volvo, Aston Martin and LandRover. The Mazda 6 also has the same floor plan as does the Volvo S50. The S40 Volvo has the same floor plan as the Focus The Aston Vanquish 6.0 V12 is in fact 2x 3.0 V6 Ford engines bolted together. The 2.7 diesel in the Jag is also in the Landrover discovery and RR Sport…etc etc, basically they have a vast amount of technology so why wouldn’t they share it about the whole group? Typically British instead of supporting the brand, and it is a brand that is in the top 10 most recognised brands in the world along with Rolls Royce and Coca Cola!! we choose to belittle it and opt for something foreign. Once you own a Jag you get the feeling of class and quality and seeing as we spend more time sat behind the wheel because of traffic issues if you can afford it why not sit in something special.

11

I love Jags and there have been a couple of times in my life I could have easily afforded, say, an ex demo or slightly used. So why didn’t I buy?

I had a friend who ran an independent performance car repair/improvement garage. If you can afford to buy it in the first place, most Ferraris are cheaper on spares and servicing.

Back to subject: Never miss a quality new car launch. I’ve driven some real gems, and the odd dog, at those things and you do get well fed and watered. (Take the test drives early then you can show them how champers and canapes should be disposed of.)

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Is that…foreign as in Indian?:w00t:

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[quote]
oldguy (19/03/2010)

I love Jags and there have been a couple of times in my life I could have easily afforded, say, an ex demo or slightly used. So why didn’t I buy?

I had a friend who ran an independent performance car repair/improvement garage. ** If you can afford to buy it in the first place, most Ferraris are cheaper on spares and servicing.**

Back to subject: Never miss a quality new car launch. I’ve driven some real gems, and the odd dog, at those things and you do get well fed and watered. (Take the test drives early then you can show them how champers and canapes should be disposed of.)

[/qu

Trust me …that’s just not true. i1ve had a Jag in my life since I was a student…a series 1 XJ6 2.8 being the first… As the years passed i bought all the big italian “thoroughbreds” and, whilst not regretting any of it,(and recognising they are not the same cars they were) I wouldn’t have another. I had a spectacular Espada which cost the princely sum of 4K and a wonderful Maserati Bora at about the same money blah blah : i wish I still had them but I will never buy another. Jags are dirt cheap to run if you shop around for parts and service.

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Where do I sign up!!!.. :stuck_out_tongue: