Jaguar XJ Autobiography LWB 3.0 V6 300 PS
What is it?
It’s Jaguar’s XJ flagship, subtly updated and refreshed for 2016. There’s more luxury, improved spec and a revised model line up with this glamorous new Autobiography debuting at the top of the range.
What’s hot?
- The XJ design is still refreshingly bold and out-there. For 2016, a new grille and set of revised LED light clusters, plus unique double J-Blade daytime running lights, accentuate the XJ’s top-end look.
- Inside, the XJ’s sumptuous cabin moves further upscale with an intuitive new InControl Touch Pro touchscreen infotainment system, 8-inch capacitive touchscreen, next generation sat-nav, Wi-Fi hotspot, plus gesture/voice control capability.
- Choice of four digital sound systems, with formidable 1,300 Watt, 26-speaker Meridian Reference Digital Surround audio system as the range topper.
- This XJ Autobiography, available only with the LWB body, comes with 20-inch Maroa alloy wheels and chrome front bumper air intakes.
- Inside, high grade leather seats and headliner as standard, plus oak inlay veneer. Individual rear seats have massage function plus entertainment system with two foldaway 10.2 in HD screens.
- Under the bonnet, upgrade of Jaguar’s proven 3.0-litre V6 diesel boosts power/torque from 275ps/600Nm to new 300ps/700Nm.
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in a rapid 5.9 secs
- C02 emissions cut from 159 g/km to 149 g/km with new XJ series, thus bringing lower VED threshold (Band G to F).
- Lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with queue-assist, vehicle closing sensing and semi-automated bay-and-parallel parking among the XJ’s lengthy suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
- On the road, the XJ proves impressively agile for a big grandee saloon. Effortless, refined performance from the V6 diesel, matched to seamless shifting of the Jag’s standard 8 speed auto, make it a rewarding drive.
- Jaguar says it has also improved the responsiveness and feel of the XJ’s electric power steering.
What’s not?
- This desirable Autobiography spec is only available with the XJ LWB body although there is a choice of 3.0-litre V6 diesel or 5.0-litre supercharged petrol engines (the latter on the block for a cool £100,000).
- At £80,250, this XJ 3.0 diesel Autobiography is £18.5 K up on the new ‘base’ XJ 3.0 LWD Luxury. The new XJ family starts at £58,690.
- For the record, on these 20in wheels the C02 emissions actually come in at 155g/km versus the 149g/km of other new spec XJs, so just missing the Band F VED cut off.
Business Car Manager verdict:
With these latest 2016 upgrades in place, Jaguar has done a solid job in keeping the XJ viable and on the pace. More luxury, better connectivity, lower C02 emissions, more kit, sharpened dynamics: not a bad list for demanding business executives and on top of all that, the XJ still has a persona all of its own.