adminreally loath driving, these two cars will make the cut because they are hotter than the retro limousine. They are vehicles made for the executive who does not compromise on quality and excellence.
They are both sleek, sexy and sophisticated. They have cabins that are adorned for an English king and big enough for an African high-profile businessperson who is fast moving up the ladder of a blue chip corporate empire.
Then you turn the clever rotary shifter to drive, stomp on the gas and wonder how you suddenly managed to find yourself at the leading edge of a thundering avalanche.
The otherwise silent cabin fills with a burbling, seductive roar as the supercharged V8 sends the new XJ from zero to 100km/h in just 4,5 seconds. This is one of the two vehicles that I am putting out for you to decide which is meaner.
Therein is the beauty of the XJ L Supercharged. It is a car that at once represents a stunning new direction for the stuffiest nameplate in the luxury class, and also a potential shake-up for a market segment dominated for years by Germany. It takes a special car for a shopper to consider something other than a BMW 7 Series 11/> or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, yet the XJ should do just that, thanks to class-leading style and performance, not to mention a massive list of standard features and a price that undercuts its Teutonic competitors by thousands.
The staggering acceleration of the Jaguar XJ L Supercharged is not simply the result of its having a supercharged 5.0-litre V8, which in this trim level produces 470 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque. Sure, more power than all its similarly priced rivals is a big part of it. Less weight also pays dividends when negotiating a tight, winding road. The comfort-biased tuning of the XJ’s adaptive suspension means this car can’t quite match the poise of German super sedans, but there is a nimble feel to the XJ that makes you forget there’s about 10 feet of long-wheelbase English limousine still behind you.
The Jag seems to have an inherent and natural agility. The XJ still has wizardry like a Dynamic Mode that subtly alters the calibration of the suspension, transmission, electronic differential and stability control. Meanwhile, the XJ steers with a low-effort, friction-free feel, yet there is also a level of communication that is far more rewarding than the electric-assist steering of BMW’s flagship.
A flagship luxury sedan like the Jaguar XJ is about so much more than its performance and handling. It starts with a ride that strikes an appropriate balance between the luxury limousine it resembles and the sport sedan it drives like. With its large wheels, there is harshness over nastier bumps that you won’t experience in the more accommodating Mercedes S-Class, but milder imperfections are sufficiently suppressed. The XJ is certainly better sorted than Jag’s sometimes heavy-footed-feeling XF and there’s also none of the wafting-on-a-cloud suppleness of Jaguars past.
Inside the cabin of the XJ L Supercharged, you will discover front seats that come standard with heating, cooling, massaging and 12 ways of adjustment (not counting the lumbar and side bolster adjustments). They are perhaps not as pleasingly contoured as the seats of an S-Class, I doubt you’ll mind much.
In most cars, back-seat travellers are short-changed, but not in the Jaguar XJ. Passengers in back get vanity mirrors, drop-down tray tables (perfect for a laptop) and, most importantly, enough legroom for practically everyone.
Not only is the Jaguar XJ’s cabin design unique and appealing from an aesthetic standpoint, its craftsmanship and materials quality are a step beyond its already impressive rivals.
Now over to the Germans in the Mercedes S class . . . Merc never disappoints. This brief will assist you in making a decision on which executive vehicle to buy.
After getting into the car using the optional Keyless-go system, that lives up to its name, the huge expanse of soft leather welcomes you into the multi-contoured front seats. It has comfort headrests which will make that long trip a breeze.
The seats have a 12-way adjustment via a series of buttons on the door panel, which are set out and shaped to mimic the seat. This is great because you don’t have to fight with the seats to adjust them. At the touch of a button and you are on your way..
Pressing the engine stop/start button prompts the multi-functional steering wheel to sedately move out towards the driver and the blank screen behind comes to life with a colour display of the speedometer with a moving needle. The 8-inch screen also has overlays for information from the Trip, Navigation, Audio and Source menus, which are activated via controls on the steering wheel. It has yet another function – the screen is used for the extremely effective Night View Assist.
Once you are on the road with this car, you will achieve so much with very little effort. Press on the accelerator and you will be hitting 200km/h when you feel like you are doing 60km/h. What’s great also is the fact that Mercedes is with each model working towards greener cars to save the environment.
You can do 0 to 100km between 6,1 seconds to 7,1 seconds depending on which S version you are driving. There are many versions to choose from which makes it more fun because you will get to enjoy something different in each of them. It’s good on fuel too and its available in either petrol or diesel. Combined driving will have you using between 5,7 litres to 7,9 litres per every 100km, which is quite good considering that they are V6 engines . . . these babies are generally thirsty but not with the S class.
With a five-speed automatic transmission, it is the perfect complement to the 12-cylinder engine’s characteristics. Gear changes are so fast and smooth that they are barely perceptible, while just the right amount of power is delivered for every situation. A manual gear shift option is available if required. So many safety features come standard with this vehicle which makes it the perfect executive car for a CEO, or any high-powered official. With so many multimedia options, other passengers can enjoy a movie on those long road trips.
You can even have the interior fashioned according to your wishes with wood trim and fabric or leather of your choice.
There you have it . . . sheer luxury in two choices.
Till next week, enjoy the European luxury. Ciao.
Fact D. Jeke is a motoring enthusiast who has attended auto shows, rallies and has written for various publications in the region for the last decade. She can be contacted via email on [email protected] , Facebook: Torque with Fact Jeke.
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