Jaguar

Jaguar XJ
The British company’s boldest design for years has generated a fair amount of controversy in the run-up to its arrival in showrooms. However, as Auto Express found out in an exclusive ride, the new XJ is guaranteed to win many admirers.

In the flesh, the bold design is more elegant than any pictures can convey, and the cabin is more akin to a state-of-the-art living room than a simple car interior. High-definition instruments on the dash complement the luxurious leather and wood trim.

Jag’s latest supercharged 5.0-litre V8 means the new XJ is supercar-quick, with 0-62mph dispatched in 4.9 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph. But that doesn’t mean the newcomer isn’t refined; steel springs at the front and air-suspension at the rear offer the company’s trademark ‘magic-carpet’ ride.