Jaguar upgrades XJ

Jaguar has announced broad details of the 2014 model year upgrade for its flagship XJ limousine.

And in addition to the new XJR performance variant, the British brand is touting added features, more efficient powertrains and an extra dose of luxury for the long-wheelbase top-of-the-range models.

Four engine options are offered for MY2014: turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel 3.0-litre V6s and two versions of the supercharged 5.0-litre V8, the top dog of which is the XJR’s 404kW firecracker. All four are matched to the polished ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and feature fuel-saving auto stop-start.

It’s the long-wheelbase (LWB) models that get the lion’s share of attention for 2014. The stretched cars now feature “airline” style reclining rear seats which offer three massage functions, in addition to cushion and squab adjustment plus heating and cooling.

Other additions to the rear cabin upgrade include optional fold-out leather-top “business tables” and a Rear Seat Entertainment package which comprises twin high-resolution 10.2” touchscreens and “premium Meridian Reference Audio System with Conversation Assist”.

The latter system uses individual microphones to boost occupants’ voices via the audio system to ensure each can be “heard clearly by the other occupants in the vehicle above any cabin noise”. The system can be activated whenever the infotainment system is on but does not operate when a phone call is underway.

A new centre armrest, houses various controls plus a Front Seat Activation button which allows control of the front passenger seat from the rear. And to keep prying eyes (or Old Sol) from rear seat passengers electric rear-side window blinds are also standard.

Jaguar also claims to have revised rear suspension settings to deliver higher levels of comfort for the captains of industry who park themselves in the second row. An extra 13mm of rear headroom has been added.

Up front, optional massage functions for each seat offer “five levels of intensity”. The 14MY XJ range also now features soft-close doors.

Says Jaguar, MY2014 XJ buyers can choose from 15 exterior colours. Inside, a “wide choice of veneers” include Piano Black, Carbon Fibre, Gloss Burr Walnut and Satin Rosewood. Indeed, the arrival of the XJR has delivered the opportunity to spec your XJ from mild to pretty wild. Our recent world launch test car featured carbon-fibre trim and red/orange upholstery -- not your run-of-the-mill limo!

The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel XJs are rated at 250kW/450Nm and 202kW/600Nm respectively and return combined fuel figures of 9.6 and 6.1L/100km. Zero-100km/h is 5.9sec for the petrol V6, with the diesel still a very respectable 6.4sec.

The 375kW/625Nm ‘standard’ supercharged 5.0 V8 petrol engine is rated at 11.6L/100km and sprints from 0-100km/h in 4.9sec. The ‘R’ engine produces 404kW and 680Nm and offers the same economy figure but is 0.3sec faster to 100km/h.

Jaguar has yet to formally confirm the full details of the MY2014 XJ line-up or pricing changes with one exception, the XJR.

An all-new model, the XJR is priced from $298,000 and will be offered as order-only in a short-wheelbase variant only Down Under. motoring.com.au understands the previous (performance) range-topping XJ Supersport will continue in LWB guise.

Jaguar has belatedly announced pricing details for the local XJ line-up. The range is detailed as follows:

Standard Wheelbase
XJ 3.0 V6D Premium Luxury $198,800
XJ 3.0 V6 Supercharged Premium Luxury $198,445
XJ 3.0 V6 Supercharged Portfolio  $222,245
XJ 5.0 V8 Supercharged XJR $298,000

Long Wheelbase
XJ 3.0 V6D Premium Luxury $198,800
XJ 3.0 V6 Supercharged Premium Luxury $198,445
XJ 5.0 V8 Supercharged Supersport $298,000

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