Jaguar XJL is an elegant flagship luxury sedan

Jaguar XJ has a sleek coupe-like profile, a lithe stance and a standard full-length panoramic glass roof.
Jaguar XJ has a sleek coupe-like profile, a lithe stance and a standard full-length panoramic glass roof.

I don’t think there’s a better highway cruiser than the Jaguar XJL. That’s the long wheelbase version of Jaguar’s flagship sedan. It’s big, powerful and comfortable, and the ride is something like jetting along in a rocket ship, so smooth and quiet you hardly know you’re moving, even at 85 mph.

For 2012, little has changed in the XJ. The sleek coupe-like profile and lithe stance continue, while the standard full-length panoramic glass roof remains a major feature, flooding the cabin with natural light and giving the interior a sense of spaciousness.

The XJ series continues with innovative lightweight aluminum construction techniques for reduced weight and improved efficiency. The weight saved by the use of aluminum means better performance and agility, and is complemented by the most advanced, powerful and efficient Jaguar V-8 powertrains ever. All engines are coupled to a shift-by-wire, six-speed automatic transmission controlled by the JaguarDrive Selector and steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The cabin of the XJ blends elegant, contemporary design with the comfort, luxury and the sporting style of a Jaguar. Chrome and piano black detailing provide contrast to the beautifully crafted leather and wood veneer surfaces. The long-wheelbase model yields increased rear seat legroom.

Jaguar’s interior designers have created an environment more like a modern living space than a car cabin. Large 12.3-inch high-definition virtual instruments complement an innovative eight-inch touch-screen. Premium surround sound options include the Bowers & Wilkins system that is comparable in audio quality to the best in-home entertainment. Advanced infotainment features also include hard-drive based audio and navigation systems and comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via the powerful Media Hub.

Subtle enhancements to the cabin now are available for the 2012 Jaguar XJ range. A new Rear Comfort Pack on the XJL Supersport offers seats that now feature electric adjustment of the backrest recline angle, four-way lumbar support and a massage function. The Pack also includes new winged headrests, footrests and the ability for the front passenger seat to be stowed forward when unoccupied to increase rear seat room.

On the long-wheelbase XJL Portfolio model, a new Executive Pack transforms the rear of the XJL into a high-speed mobile office space with the provision of fold-down business trays and an electric rear sunblind for increased privacy. The package also includes upgraded carpeting, combination wood, leather heated steering wheel, gloss wood veneer choices and chrome mirror housings.

All XJ models come with an Illumination Package derived from the one offered as standard on the Supersport model. The Package includes illuminated sill plates, trunk latch and front and rear air vents.

Pricing on the 2012 Jaguar XJ ranges from $73,700 for the base model to $117,700 XJL Supersport.

Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.


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