Jaguar XJ SUPER V8
Its quite a realisation that fronting up to the executive express party with 400bhp can leave you seriously outgunned. Turn back the clock a few years and this was top-end supercar power, yet with some of the prestige German marques offering outputs of over 600bhp, is the Jaguar XJ Super V8 in danger of coming across as a little bit quaint? Try punting the throttle to the floor and come back to me with an answer on that one. And wipe that ridiculous grin off your face while youre at it.
Although it may appear a little traditional, the Jaguar is in fact at least the equal of the best Germans in terms of application of technology. If a car is rocketship fast in a straight line but corners like Andy The Viking Fordham on rollerblades, its not going to gel as a cohesive package. Thats where the Super V8 scores. When youre reclining in the back, it offers all the legroom and luxury you could conceivably require, but when youre up front, it seems to shrink to something Mondeo-sized and is always game to be hustled.
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You need to pay £94,000 for a Mercedes S Class that will match this and only a Maserati Quattroporte can come close to matching the Jaguars driver appeal. Unlike the mechanically similar XJR, the long wheelbase Super V8 puts a priority on luxury rather than sportiness with lambswool rugs, a touch screen satellite navigation system, electric seats and even a heated steering wheel. Rear seat passengers get an especially good deal with their own climate control and audio settings. The 19-inch alloy wheels would at first seem to have a negative effect on the ride quality but even over typically scabby tarmac, the Super V8 remains serene.
With 125mm grafted into the wheelbase, it seems improbable that only a few kilograms could be added to the weight of the car. Delve a little deeper and it becomes apparent why Jaguar are so proud of their achievement. In standard form, the XJ is a massive 200kg lighter than the previous generation car and is around 100kg lighter than its nearest rival. This means that this Super V8 tips the scales a good few kilos lighter than the lightest short wheelbase rival.
That is truly amazing. Light weight naturally bestows a number of advantages. Emissions and fuel economy are both obvious candidates, but the car will also handle better, accelerate quicker and brake in a shorter distance, putting less stress into its tyres in the process. Everyones a winner.
To put some flesh on the bones, the Super V8 weighs 1665kg. Thats less than smaller cars like the BMW 530d, the Audi S4 Avant and only a little more than a comparative tiddler like the Volvo S60R.
"Make no mistake, the Super V8 is a truly remarkable car"
Given the negligible weight gain over the XJR, Jaguar has posted identical figures for fuel economy, emissions and performance. The conversion to the long wheelbase car is a good deal more sophisticated than at first it appears, with the rear roofline being raised by 7mm. All of the additional length is accounted for by longer rear doors that make entry and exit effortlessly easy. With 999mm (more than 39 inches) of available legroom, this XJ is one for those who routinely turn left upon entering a 747.
The suspension settings are reasonably soft and high speed ride comfort is also top of the shop. This is quite a testament to the work of Mike Cross, Jaguars chassis development guru. Many Jaguar trademarks remain. The steering is surprisingly light but full of feel and the J-gate automatic gearbox is as smooth as ever.
Should you really feel in the mood, you can palm the lever about the gate, locking the big Jaguar into lower ratios, but its not as intuitive as a proper Tiptronic style shift. Suspension, wind and tyre noise are all well suppressed, the Super V8 being able to play the part of subtle wafter should you so choose. Any car with 400bhp on tap which weighs less than a V6 Freelander is going to be respectably rapid and so it proves in the case of the Super V8. It will hit 60mph in 5.
0 seconds and run on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Remove the limiter and insiders at Jaguar whisper that itll knock on the door of 180mph. Other beneficial side effects of the low all-up weight are an average fuel economy figure of 23mpg and a reasonable 264g/km CO2 emissions figure. That bodyshell is some 40% lighter than an equivalent steel body, bringing benefits not just in agility, but also in terms of performance, fuel consumption, emissions and corrosion protection.
Whats more, its 60% stiffer, making the suspension designers work easier and boosting safety, refinement and durability. Jaguar say that they chose a lightweight aluminium vehicle architecture for the XJ not because it was something new, but because it enabled them to deliver real and significant benefits to their customers. The problem with the Super V8 is that it looks so similar to many older Jaguars costing far less. While this may be seen as an advantage for those looking for discreet speed, its hardly the ticket for those looking to create an impression.
If youd rather leave the bling to the nouveau riche, the Super V8 makes an awful lot of sense. Its all about working smarter, not harder.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Jaguar XJ Super V8
PRICE: £74,995 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 19
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 5s / Max Speed 155mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 23 mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags / ABS with EBA / Dynamic Stability Control / Traction Control / ARTS / CATS / ACC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 5090/2108/1448
