2006 Jaguar XJ-Series Review

LAS VEGAS -- Jaguar has joined luxury automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz in offering its first $100,000-plus car, which it says is the most luxurious Jaguar ever built.

Jaguar is overdue for such an auto, although it's probably been holding prices below the $100,000 mark because it traditionally has offered beautifully styled, fast, luxurious cars for prices that undercut those of competitors.

The new $115,995 sedan, which was unveiled at a media preview here, has one of the most impressive names in the luxury car field: XJ Super V8 Portfolio. It's the most expensive Jaguar ever sold in America and the top model in the XJ sedan line. It was developed from the Concept Eight show car unveiled at last year's New York Auto Show and will be a limited-production car mainly for the American and Canadian markets.

The Portfolio has a supercharged 400-horsepower V-8 that makes it go like the wind (0-60 mph in five seconds) and an air suspension system, along with electronic traction control and dynamic stability control.

This elite Jaguar also has unique design cues. They include sculpted aluminum "power'' side vents to dramatize the aircraft-style aluminum alloy monocoque body shell construction used for XJs, a distinctive mesh grille, larger chrome-finished tailpipes and huge, polished 20-inch alloy wheels.

Some media members here thought the side vents looked like add-ons, while others thought they were distinctive. It's anyone's guess as to whether they'll call attention to an exotic aluminum construction process that trims weight a lot and thus enhances performance and fuel economy.

The Portfolio also has unique Black Cherry or new Winter Gold exterior paint, which resembles the paint on a 1966 Jaguar XK-E sports car I once owned. Tradition is big at Jaguar, probably because it has a lot more of it than Johnny-come-lately Japanese luxury rivals such as Lexus and Infiniti.

The church-quiet Portfolio interior makes you feel wealthy either driving it or riding in it. The cockpit has such items as soft-grained leather with seat piping, satin-finished black walnut veneer, suede-like headliner, power glass sunroof and individual power rear seats separated by a large console, which incorporates controls for the rear passengers' part of the four-zone climate control system. There's also a 400-watt, 15-speaker Alpine surround-sound audio system and Bluetooth wireless telephone connectivity.

The DVD entertainment system for rear passengers has individual display screens in the back of each front-seat headrest.

The six-car XJ sedan line begins with the $62,495 XJ8 short-wheelbase (SWB) model, and the closest XJ to the Portfolio is the $91,995 Super V8 long-wheelbase (LWB) model.

Most XJs are long-wheelbase models with limousine-style rear seat room. However, even the short-wheelbase models have a fairly long 119.4-inch wheelbase and more rear room than older XJ sedans.

"Most American luxury car customers want big, roomy autos, and long-wheelbase models account for about 70 percent of our XJ sales here,'' said Jaguar North America sales and marketing chief C.J. O'Donnell.

In fact, XJ LWB versions have the longest wheelbase (distance between axles) at 124.4 inches and longest overall length at 205.3-inches in their class, but still have the tightest turning circle among competitors.

The Portfolio is the flagship model, but all XJ sedans are plenty fast, with either new 300- (up from 294) or 400-horsepower (up from 390) V-8s. Both engines also emit significantly less emissions and work with a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy is rated at 18 city, 27 highway with the 300-horsepower V-8, but a few miles per gallon less with the higher-horsepower engine.

The XJ sedans handle much like European sports sedans, except the XJs lean more toward luxury than extremely high cornering capabilities. However, the Portfolio and other XJ models have above-average handling.

The Portfolio drives virtually the same as all 2006 long-wheelbase XJ models, which also were available for testing at the preview here.

The 2006 XJs have such new features as laminated side glass and windshield with an acoustic interlayer for noise reduction, a braking system with improved pedal feel and performance and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Most immediately noticeable, though, are new chrome mesh grille inserts once found only on certain high-performance European sedans. The XJs also have a "freshened'' exterior look with new alloy wheels, removal of bodyside and front/rearwindow moldings and new smoked-lens side indicator lights.

A DVD-based satellite system becomes standard on the hot rod XJR and more upscale Vanden Plas models and the XJ8 L gets a standard electric rear sunblind.

All 2006 XJs are loaded with comfort, convenience and safety items and a number of attractive options. The new Portfolio is so well-equipped that it has no options. It's the icing on the cake in the 2006 XJ line. 

2006 JAGUAR XJ SUPER V8 PORTFOLIO
PRICE
$115,995

LIKES
Posh. Fast. Agile.

DISLIKES
Large front console eats room. Flip-up front cupholder cover gets in way.