Big cats always captivate the imagination. And if you ever get to spend some time in Central and South America you’ll find that in the wild the big boss cat is the Jaguar. It’s number one predator. Fittingly, the brand new Jaguar XJ models have all the goods necessary to strut their stuff with any of the other special luxury car brands.

What is necessary for a luxury car at this level is a need for plenty of power. Underneath the newly designed long and elegant bonnet lines lies a choice of two superb engines that are linked to a silky-smooth six-speed automatic transmission. It’s simple, really. Like diesel? Then the 3.0-litre V6 Diesel is the motor for you. Like petrol? Then the 5.0-litre V8 petrol is the motor for you. Let’s take a closer look at these engines:

Drive the 3.0-litre V6 and it doesn’t matter where you sit in the engine’s rev band, you will always have accessible and powerful acceleration. You can be idling and plant your boot, and the grunt is right there. But it’s always smooth. You’ll find the 3.0-litre diesel engine more than capable for fast point-to-point driving, and the big cat’s chassis is so agile and capable that the Jaguar XJ has so much sport hidden away in its luxury packaging, too! The figures speak for themselves, and will probably be enough to entice you into grabbing yourself a drive in one of these superlative machines. Maximum power is a lusty 202 kW; while torque is a massive class-leading 600 Nm from as low as 2000 rpm! Whether you drive the long wheelbase or the standard wheelbase version, the engine performance still slings both body types from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds. A limited top speed of 250 km/h shows how capable the new Jaguar XJ 3.0-litre diesel really is.

Plant the accelerator down while driving the new XJ 5.0-litre V8, and you’ll be hooked! The petrol V8 is so lusty and strong that the blend of out-and-out performance and warm XJ Premium Luxury is exquisite. Like a cheetah gaining on a gazelle, this is one cat that knows how to go fast! It takes just 5.7 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h dash, during which you are placed firmly back in your seat. Hit 100 km/h and the Jaguar XJ 5.0-litre V8 is purring into serious action. Acceleration runs strongly all the way up to the limited top speed of 250 km/h. Noticeably quiet and sure-footed, you’ll find the ride is cosseting. Even rough roads are mastered. Road holding at high speed is what this cat does so well. A big tick can be planted in the XJ’s great driving experience box.

Now, if you nuts enough to not accept the already colossal performance of the standard 5.0-litre V8, then there are two other options available to the new Jaguar XJ buyer. First of all there is a 346 kW, supercharged V8 version and a the phenomenally quick 375 kW, supercharged V8 version. This one means business, and is capable of sinking the 0-100 km/h sprint in under five seconds! It also can pull with 625 Nm of torque.

Sink back into the lap of luxury, and what is so evident about the new Jaguar XJ Premium Luxury model is that the craftsmanship and attention to detail is first class. Few cars can match Jaguar in this area – and Jaguar does it so well. The leg room is at the top of its class. The materials are first class. And the finish and attention to detail of all the technological goodies onboard are brilliant. You feel very special driving one of these Jags. Fine materials, beautiful textures and quality workmanship are part of every level of interior choice. Jaguar XJ Premium Luxury’s standard specification includes the Jet seats with Jet upper facia, Cashew seats with Truffle upper facia or Dove seats with a Jet upper facia. You can also go for the suave Ivory seats with their Oyster upper facia. This option looks stunning and adds a little to the cost. There is also the choice of Burr Walnut, Satin American Walnut, Satin Elm or Carbon Fibre veneers. No doubt about it; the finished look is stunning.

We’ve just considered the Jaguar Premium luxury model here, however feast you eyes over the goodies onboard the Jaguar XJ Portfolio and Jaguar XJ Super Sport if you’re really serious about buying the XJ. You’ll be sure to find a perfect fit. Here is a glimpse of what you might like your Jaguar XJ to have: fancy London Tan seats with Navy upper facia and a Bowers and Wilkins 1200W surround sound system? What about an onboard computer Hard Disk Drive and Media Hub, the Jaguar Smart Key System with Keyless start and Keyless entry, 20/20 way soft grain leather seats with contrast piping, contrast stitching and embossed head restraints? Oh…and these seats are heated and cooled with a massage function, too! Get my drift. Drive a new Jaguar XJ, and the very best is on offer.

Technologies and their capability are amazing these days. And you’ll find that the Blue-tooth communications, the 600W premium sound system, blue halo illumination for the dash lighting, the full HD touch screen for the central car computer control centre, dual-zone climate control, interactive voice control, and ipod, USB and MP3 compatibility edge the XJ to the front of the pack.

Allow your eyes to run over the sweet curves of the all new XJ, and the exterior looks are so distinctive and beautiful. The Jaguar XJ is a car that inspires and teases all onlookers’ eyes. Every bit as good looking as the new BMW 7-series or Mercedes Benz S-Class, and better looking than an Audi 8 or even an equivalent Lexus, the new Jag XJ possesses blissful looks that make it so very special. You’ve got to like the most distinctive rear-end in the luxury car business with those spunky rear lights that run full depth down the car’s flanks. The big grille intimidates, while the cat-like headlights have both aggression and sophistication in their stare. Long and low, the new Jaguar XJ sits purposefully, and always this Jaguar is ready to pounce.

Jaguar’s new XJ is available in no less than twelve metallic exterior paint colours. And we’ll all have our favourites! Also, the XJ is specified with 19-inch Aleutian alloy wheels as standard. Eight other 18-inch, 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheel designs are available as additional cost options.

Jaguar has not forgotten about the practical side to a performance luxury sedan. Open the boot lid and the extensive luggage bay swallows 520 litres of luggage. Also available are all the very best safety features, too. Airbags, Active Control systems, head restraints, pre-tensioners, ABS, anti-skid cornering and Traction Control to name a few.

The current model series includes the:

• XJ Premium Luxury
• XJ Portfolio
• XJ Super Sport

For any more information on the Jaguar XJ, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Jaguar dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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