Jaguar XJR: An executive super-Saloon in a class of its own

Jaguar’s chief designer Ian Callum did a fine job on the exterior of the XJR, a luxury saloon that would not be out of place in front of 10 Downing Street.
However, the real exhilaration of the 2014 XJR comes from the 5.0 liter V8 supercharged engine providing 550 BHP and a maximum torque of 680 NM.
The combined luxury and power makes for a super-saloon in a class of its own.
If there is one overwhelming feature of this XJR after testing it for a week, it is its sheer power and agility.
The XJR has added 40 BHP over last year’s XJ Supersport and 80 HP over the supercharged XJ.
It gives its driver confidence at high speeds, in overtaking and in steady cruising with the adaptive cruise control on. In sports mode with some pressure on the accelerator, the XJR turns into a hooligan.
Yet, there is certain serenity in driving the XJR at motorway speeds.
While there is no shortage of power at any speed, the XJR would do the task with accomplishment not found in lighter sports cars.
The steering is precise and consistent and keeps the vehicle under total control at all times.
There is no shortage of capable competitors in the market, including one Italian Maserati Quattroporte V8, but none matches the class image of the XJR and few come close to its power.
This is the first time that Jaguar uses the XJR nameplate with the new Callum design after a hiatus of several years, but it is the right time to show the market that Jaguar can compete with the likes of Mercedes S63 AMG.
Testing an XJR in Polaris white in the UK was an exhilarating experience.
The acceleration is phenomenal at 4.4 seconds to reach 62 MPH and top speed, electronically limited, at 174 MPH.
A combined cycle covered 24.4 MPG with a carbon emission of 270 gram/kilometer — not bad for a 5.0 liter engine with double super chargers.
The car comes well-equipped at a price of £92.370 (which includes UK taxes) but the test car had options such as privacy glass, blind spot monitor, carbon fiber engine cover, illumination pack and adaptive cruise control, which pumped up the price to £96,855.
However a base price would include such features as intelligent stop/start, LED tail lights, front and rear parking aid with reverse camera, carbon fiber rear spoiler, adaptive front lighting, keyless start and panoramic glass sunroof.
The car also has active ventilated heated and cooled front and rear seats, four-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth and multimedia system with dual-view function on a front screen.
The boot lid is powered.
The ride is slightly firmer than other big saloons; this however is a major plus on fast motorways especially for the driver.
Dynamics and agility are first class and so also is ease of driving.
The adaptive cruise control proved worthy as a safety feature at all speeds.
Gulf drivers would be pleased to know that despite its size and weight, this XJR is a driver’s car.
Back seats are comfortable too with cooling and heating for individual seats and also separate climate control.
The option of back-seat entertainment can to add.
There is no shortage of leg and headroom, something that is important in the Gulf region.
The eight-speed gearbox is one of the finest in the market and is used by the company in other models too.
The smooth and alert automatic shifting renders use of steering wheel paddles redundant.
The soundtrack of the supercharger is noticeable at idle and at high speed.
But the notes are muted at steady cruise and the ride is calm.
The brakes proved efficient even in wet and blustery conditions.
The XJR comes with many external tweaks including “R” branding.
When driving or riding in an XJR, power and prestige are never in doubt.
However, in Europe there are question marks on the viability of such car in terms of price, fuel consumption and taxation.
The annual tax alone in Britain is £1,065.
Fortunately, these are not issues in the Gulf region where fuel is relatively cheap and there is no Road Tax.
The price too is comparable and could be cheaper than some big German rivals.
It seems that the XJR is a car made for the Gulf region!