Jaguar has updated its flagship XJ saloon with new technology, more diesel power, new trim levels, along with subtle exterior design updates.
On the outside, the new 2016 Jaguar XJ gets full LED headlamps with twin ‘J-Blade’ daytime running lights which are also echoed in the new LED ‘J-signature’ in the tail-lights. The front grille is slightly larger and more upright, while the front air intakes get new sculpted chrome blades; gloss black in R models. A thin chrome insert on the rear bumper and oval exhaust finishers round things off.
Inside, there’s a new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with a customisable eight-inch touchscreen that allows pinch, zoom and even gesture control. The system also uses a quad-core Intel processor and a 60BG solid state drive. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster can now also be configured to show a full-width navigation display.
Audiophiles can now indulge in the new 26-speaker, 1,300W Meridian sound system has been added to the options list, while the fatcats can enjoy the new rear seat entertainment package, which adds two foldable widescreen 10.2-inch screens.
Petrol engines include a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 motor with 335bhp on tap, and a supercharged V8 motor which produces 503bhp or 542bhp in XJR guise. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine has been heavily upgraded and is now Euro 6 compliant. It outputs 296bhp and 700Nm of torque, 25bhp and 100Nm more than before, which endows it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. All versions are fitted with an eight-speed auto box as standard.
CO2 emissions in the diesel XJ have fallen from 159g/km to 149g/km, with an improved fuel economy of 17.5 km/l. Jaguar attributes a three per cent fuel saving to a new electric power-assisted steering system.
The XJ’s safety net has been polished too, and now includes traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous queue assist function, reverse sensors to alert you of hazards when reversing out of a parking space, and a 360-degree camera system.
Like before, the range consists of the XJ Luxury, the XJ Premium Luxury, the XJ Portfolio and XJR models. Apart from the usual, two new trims have been introduced, which include a top-end, long-wheelbase only Autobiography model available with the diesel or 503bhp V8, as well as a new R-Sport trim which offers the XJR’s sporty looks without the R’s performance.
The XJ Luxury starts from £58,590, or approximately INR 58.33 lakh, the XJ Premium Luxury from £62,690, or approximately INR 63.4 lakh, the XJ Portfolio from £69,725 or approximately INR 70 lakh and the XJR from £92,405, or about INR 92 lakh.
The Autobiography diesel starts at £80,250, while the Autobiography V8 retails for £100,000; which translate to INR 80 lakh and INR 1 Crore respectively, also approximately.
