Jaguar launches all-new XJ sedan

Just two short months after it was delivered to its very first owners, the all-new Jaguar XJ sedan has been brought to the Philippines by its British carmaker.

Calling it “Jaguar’s brightest diamond”—thanks to it being the brand’s most technically advanced and luxurious car to date—Wellington Soong, chairman and president of Jaguar Philippines, reveals they have already pre-sold more than half of the 12 units allotted for the Philippines for 2010.

“Jaguar customers are very loyal to the brand,” says Soong. “They will always come back to the brand and we’re very happy to give them the latest, most advanced and most luxurious Jaguar to ever come out of the Coventry plant in England.”

Designed by Ian Callum and internally designated as X351, the all-new XJ departs from the quad-headlamp-dominated design of the front fascia that has been the model’s trademark look since the first-generation Mark 1 of 1968. Instead, Callum adapted Jaguar’s new design direction for this modern XJ as it bears a close resemblance to its smaller stablemate, the XF. For the XJ, though, Jaguar gave it a sleeker, slimmer pair of headlights, while the grille is a larger, more square-like affair.

The rear has also taken on a more dramatic look as the upright, swooping taillights give it a more distinct edge, while the muscular rear haunch only adds to the XJ’s aggressive overall design.

Inside, the all-leather dashboard gives it a breathtaking and classy edge over the plastic ones of its Teutonic rivals. The all-LCD console can be configured to display various dials and gauges aside from the usual speedometer and tachometer. The Dual-View technology eight-inch touch screen on the center console, meanwhile, can project DVD movies or television programs to the passenger even as the driver is limited to seeing just the XJ’s other instruments and functions for safety’s sake. The XJ also comes with a standard full-length sunroof to give the entire interior an airy feel.

Topping off the interior accoutrements is the 1,200-watt, 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system that is comparable in audio quality to the world’s best home entertainment. According to Marc Soong, executive director of Jaguar Philippines, “it’s like having a top-of-the-line home theater system on wheels.” The system boasts advanced infotainment features like hard drive-based audio and navigation systems, as well as comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via its media hub.

Available only in long-wheelbase configuration locally, the XJ comes with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that puts out 290hp and 515Nm of torque. This is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that allows the XJ to sprint from zero to 100kph in 5.7 seconds before it tops out at an electronically limited speed of 250kph.

A supercharged version known as the XJ SuperSport is also available in other markets. Although it won’t be officially available locally, “if someone placed an order for it, we could easily get it for them,“ shares Jason Soong, also an executive director of Jaguar Philippines.

The all-new Jaguar XJ is priced from P8.8 million to P9 million—presumably depending on the options.

“The usual misconception is that Jaguar cars are a lot more expensive than its German rivals,” says the senior Soong. “We’re changing that misconception by pricing the XJ—as well as other Jaguar cars—close to its competitors in the market.”