Could this be purr-fection...?
Initially motivation comes from a 5,0-litre V8 but later on, owners will have the option of a 3,0-litre turbodiesel as well as supercharged versions of the bent eight. A drive from George to Oudtshoorn and back again was enough to confirm that the normally-aspirated version of the petrol engine is going to be elegantly sufficient for most tastes though, the drive also confirming that Jaguar remains a serious player in the segment and represents a tantalising alternative to the German establishment.
Arguably the most stylish car in the segment, its bold grille and swoopy lines are a mix of class and understated aggression with the roofline being the lowest in the class. That, along with the coupe-like tail, certainly makes it sportier-looking than rivals from BMW, Benz and Audi. A number of additional design elements accentuate the powerful stance and lithe flanks. If there's a controversial element it is the vertical LED strips that run over the bootlid and onto the rear fenders... somehow they lack the timeless elegance of the rest of the package.
Like the recently-launched Audi A8 the Jag is aluminium-bodied, saving weight - 1 755 kilos is impressive for a four-door with all the bells and whistles, and then some. And, for those who are concerned about the planet's resources, half of the ally comes via recycling.
So when you factor in the 275 kW/450 Nm powerplant you have a car which devours horizons with real intent. Shifts from the six-speed transmission are seamless, but when you put the 'box into a Sport mode and select a dynamic driving setting on the centre console, the car shows off a wilder side.
The cabin - or should that be cockpit? - epitomises Jaguar's approach to a finely crafted driving environment. As well as a bespoke look and feel with plenty of surprise and delight features (like a circular gear lever which rises gracefully from the centre console and a glove compartment which is opened simply by running one's finger over a small sensor on the lid), it boasts the very latest technology. For example, the instruments are 'virtual' rather than real and the main dash panel is a liquid crystal screen. This means it can change colour, portions of the speedometer can be highlighted for additional visibility, and the revcounter can actually be moved off the cluster to make space for other information that you may prefer to have displayed.
The Jaguar XJ is certainly designed for those with a taste for the finer things in life. Leather is plentiful and all of it is finely stitched. There's a lovely expanse of wood which runs along the base of the windscreen and then links with veneer on the doors. In the middle of the wood strip is the word 'Jaguar'... a reminder that this remains a very British car - despite the fact that has been owned by an Indian company for the last two years.
The XJ has been positioned even further upmarket than in the past and the V8 is priced at R1.1-million. The supercharged models will be substantially more but it is likely that there will be few better ways of getting from A to B in a hurry on four wheels.
