The Fat Cat That Scored The Cream

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday June 6, 1996

BILL MCKINNON

Ultimate sporting sedan or plush,

wallowing power-everything barge? The supercharged Jaguar attempts a difficult balancing act. Bill

McKinnon lapped it up.

The aristocratic "club lounge on wheels" image of Jaguar's XJ series sedans and the graceful, feline body still spark irresistible desire in many luxury car buyers, even though the entry price to the marque is a hefty $124,000 for the 3.2-litre XJ6. Jaguar sales are improving in Australia, with a 73 per cent increase in 1995. In the first quarter of 1996, the XJ outsold BMW's 7 series and Lexus.

Nearly half of those XJ buyers specify a Sport variant, a smart move because the standard XJ's dynamic ability was long ago eclipsed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The magic carpet ride is still a wonder around town and on open highways, but the standard XJ's combination of a 1.8-tonne body and soft suspension is not conducive to grace with pace on a winding road. Excessive body roll, a tendency to float and wallow on bumpy bends and unwieldy handling are no match for the unfussed, high-speed confidence of its 7 series and E and S class competitors.

The XJ Sport models - with 3.2- and 4.0-litre sixes, plus the 4.0-litre supercharged XJR - have lowered suspension with firmer spring and damper rates, recalibrated road speed- sensitive power steering, wider alloy wheels and dedicated Pirelli tyres, all of which greatly improve composure at speed. However, an inability to disguise bulk as well as a big BMW or Benz remains. Under pressure, the sports XJs also lack the fine balance and control of the German rivals.

The XJR is the ultimate Jaguar sporting sedan and, at $175,500, the most expensive XJ. Externally, suggestions of more claws-bared aggression than your average XJ Sport include huge 17-inch polished alloy wheels and ultra-low-profile Pirelli P Zero rubber, a racetrack-inspired mesh grille, minimal chrome and still lower ground clearance.

Under the bonnet is a supercharged version of the all-alloy 24-valve 4.0-litre six, a pearl of an engine which propels it from 0-100 km/h in seven seconds. A belt-driven intercooled supercharger supplies the forced induction, producing a 30 per cent power increase over the normally aspirated six with massive, relentless pulling power from idle to redline. There is no turbo-style whistle or kick in the back to announce your arrival at the tachometer's pleasure zone - put your foot down at any speed and you're off to see the wizard.

Smoothness is outstanding, it cruises beautifully and overtaking is ridiculously easy but, under hard acceleration, it's an aural non-event compared with a V8 or V12. Fuel economy is dreadful. The test XJR used 19.3 litres of premium unleaded per 100 km around town, and 15.5 on the highway. When it's driven hard, its range is less than 400 km.

Australian specification XJRs are fitted with a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (a five-speed manual is available else-where) and traction control, which can be switched off. The J-gate shifter allows you to leave the transmission in drive and let the electronics do the work or to use 2-3-Drive like a manual. The latter method is hardly necessary because engine responsiveness is outstanding at all revs and you can extract the best from each gear with the "Sport" setting.

The XJR turns quickly and accurately into corners without the roll and lurch of a standard car. Grip and roadholding from the Pirellis are as good as you'll find this side of racing rubber. Yet it lacks the Germans' weight-cheating balance and agility and is harder work on a quick, winding road.

The ride is firm, there's a tendency to self-steer and an occasional jolt gets through to the interior - inevitable when such a wide, low-profile tyre meets our ordinary bitumen.

Inside, the XJR gets the full maple and hide treatment. The cabin has a sumptuous tactile, visual and olfactory ambience unmatched by Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Its leather-bound steering wheel is a work of art, with exposed polished wood rim sections top and bottom, while the electric seats are soft yet supportive and very comfortable on long journeys.

Power everything is fitted, of course, and there's a CD stacker in the boot, trip computer and automatic air-conditioning. Less attractive features include air-con and stereo controls which are too far away from the driver, switches completely obscured by the steering wheel, stalks set too low, and rear leg and headroom on a par with a small hatchback. The boot will take two sets of golf clubs.

German competitors in the rare air above $150,000 do everything well - except appeal to the Jaguar faithful, to whom such comparisons are probably irrelevant.

Power and passion. With stunning looks and an engine to die for, the XJR is one of the few cars you'll seek any excuse to drive.

Dynamics and comfort not in the same class as Benz or BMW on the open road. Hopeless interior space and primitive ergonomics.

Engine 4.0-litre fuel-injected supercharged in-line

six-cylinder

Power 240kW at 5,000 rpm (brillian

Performance 0-100 km/h in

7 seconds (ditto)

Brakes Discs with ABS

(excellent)

Economy 17.4 L/100km

(awful)

Prices Recommended retail price: $175,500

Street price:

Ever seen a Jaguar sale?

Alternatives:

Audi A8 quattro 4.2 V8: $196,220

BMW 730iL and 740iL: $158,640-$198,580

Mercedes-Benz S320 and S420: $190,000-$229,100

VERDICT

Ballistic

performance, gorgeous looks and clubby

interior twang the emotive strings like no other but its German

competitors are better cars.

© 1996 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home