Jaguar XJ8 3.5 2008 Review

Road Test

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality:  3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

About our ratings

There are few cars on sale in Australia in 2008 that wear their heritage so obviously as Jaguar's large XJ sedan. With its long, low visage, lashings of leather and wood and a very traditional interior aesthetic, the car still reeks of that quintessential Britishness that appealed to Ford when in 1989 it bought the company in an effort to gain a foothold in the global luxury market.

Unfortunately for Ford, the car and the brand's credibility in the luxo-car stakes didn't translate into sales and now, after nearly 20 years of red ink on the ledger, the big American has offloaded the company to Indian manufacturing giant, Tata.

Jaguar's lack of global sales has been reflected locally too, particularly when it comes to the big XJ which racked up just 56 sales last year. This gave it by far the smallest share in a market segment that includes the top-selling Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Audi's A8. It was even outsold by Bentley, which managed more than double the Jaguar XJ sales tally.

However, the XJ's poor sales performance doesn't reflect the quality or competence of the car. Perhaps it's just seen as too old, too staid and too last century... Others, this tester included, might call the car "classically elegant".

The 'too old world' criticism that was levelled at the XJ from the time the current generation was first launched here in 2004. Although it bristled with new technology and an all-aluminium body, it took almost trainspotter-levels of product knowledge to discern the new model from its predecessor. But Jaguar has soldiered on and with the new XJ still about 2-3 years away, Ford gave the current model a last gasp update late last year before it divested of its interests in Jaguar.

Again the changes were minimal and aesthetically, the mild makeover included new front and rear bumpers, side vents, 19-inch alloy wheels and the addition of a subtle boot lid spoiler -- all of which aimed to give the car a more sporting aesthetic.

Inside it gained new front seats and some extra kit, but the biggest change overall was the reintroduction of the 3.5-litre V8 petrol engine.

Priced from $159,900, the 190kW/335Nm 3.5-litre V8 effectively replaces the previous petrol XJ6 model that used a 179kW/300Nm 3.0-litre V6 engine, making the new model the entry level in petrol power.

There is still a V6 engine available in the XJ in the form of the superb 152kW/435Nm twin-turbo 2.7-litre diesel. It remains the price leader of the range starting at $154,900.

Back when the current gen was first launched in 2004, Jaguar did offer a 3.5-litre V8, however, this was discontinued in 2006 as it did not meet the latest Euro IV emission regulations. The new engine is a modified version of that powerplant which in meeting emissions regs has lost a few of the original's 196kW and 345Nm but upped the ante in refinement.

As you fire up the engine and press the accelerator, there is an inviting light purr from beneath the bonnet that denotes its V8 configuration. Like the V6 it replaces, this small capacity V8 is not going to win any traffic light sprints but off the line there is enough grunt for a solid launch.

What is truly impressive, however, is the degree of refinement and smoothness and under moderate throttle the car simply glides away with ease, as the six-speed auto shifts seamlessly through the ratios.

Once the tacho needle heads north of 3000rpm, things get a little livelier, with a stronger midrange ensuring better in-gear acceleration. Lock the transmission down via Jaguar's trademark J-gate and the engine will keep pushing the car rapidly on as it runs right through to its 6800rpm redline with a delightful aural accompaniment.

And keeping the engine spinning through the top end is where you want it for an enthusiastic blast along a country road. A what, you might ask? Yes, despite its conservative clothes and luxury elegance, this is still a car that delivers a high level of dynamic competence and the subsequent driver rewards.

The steering feels solid and direct with ample feedback and sharpish turn-in, while with the air suspension switched to Sport mode, the car sits very flat though corners. Despite its relatively light weight (around 1600kg) it feels very solid on the road with plenty of grip from the big 19-inch rubber.

Switch back into normal mode and the air suspension does a superb job of taking the edge off any road ruts with a very comfortable and cosseting ride quality that is perfect for easy, effortless long-distance cruising.

The new more shapely seats add to the comfort factor and there is no shortage of kit to ensure a very relaxed, quiet and refined cabin ambience.

Jaguar claims the new front pews also aid rear legroom and while that maybe the case, it is still a little tight for a car of this size. The flipside is a spacious, long and wide, if somewhat shallow, boot.

The styling of the big Jag may not seem to have moved with the times but underneath it remains a very competent car. Whether you require a comfortable cruiser or dynamic driver, the XJ's pricing relative to the 'big' luxury brands means it deserves more attention on the showroom floor.

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