Jaguar claws prices for updated XJ

JAGUAR has announced pricing for its revised XJ flagship range, headlined by a big $22,000 drop for the range-topping long-wheelbase Supersport, which now comes in at $298,000 plus on-road costs.

The change to pricing and specification comes as a part of a minor upgrade for the luxury brand’s high-end limo that includes extra comfort in the rear of the cabin and updates to in-car technology.

While prices for the diesel-powered short and long-wheelbase Premium Luxury variants remain unchanged at $198,800 apiece, Jaguar has dropped the price of the petrol Premium Luxury and Portfolio variants by $355 each.

The XJ range now kicks off from $198,445 for both short and long-wheelbase 3.0-litre V6 Premium Luxury models. Stepping up into the mid-range V6 Portfolio will cost $222,245.

Jaguar’s new pricing still undercuts German rival BMW’s 7 Series range, as well as the soon-to-be-superseded Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Lexus’ LS range (from $189,900) and the Audi A8 ($188,000 and up) both start cheaper.

As previously reported, Jag’s new hardcore 404kW/680Nm XJR will carry a $298,000 price-tag when it, along with the rest of the updated XJ range, arrives in showrooms in December this year.

The updated rear passenger compartment in the long-wheelbase XJ features two ‘airline style’ reclining seats with multiple adjustment options and two memory settings, with the choice of three massage options – wave/rolling, lumbar and shoulder.

Headroom in the rear is increased by 13mm and the up-market Jag limo includes fold-out leather business tables, while re-tuned rear suspension improves the ride for back-seat passengers.

Jaguar has boosted the entertainment options in the LWB model’s rear seat, with the option of a premium 1300W Meridian Reference audio system and two 10.2-inch high-resolution screens on the back of the front head-rests that can display inputs from a DVD player, digital TV tuner or a media player.

This is managed via a wireless controller housed in the centre console that can also adjust climate zones, and seat heating and cooling.

Minor mechanical updates include the addition of idle stop and a revised eight-speed automatic transmission that detects how the car is being driven and adjusts the gear changes accordingly.

2014 Jaguar XJ pricing*

Diesel
3.0 Diesel SWB Premium Luxury	$198,800
3.0 Diesel LWB Premium Luxury	$198,800
Petrol
3.0 Supercharged SWB Premium Luxury	$198,445 (-$355)
3.0 S/C LWB Premium Luxury	$198,445 (-$355)
3.0 S/C SWB Portfolio	$222,245 (-$355)
5.0 S/C SWB XJR	$298,000 (new)
5.0 S/C LWB Supersport	$298,000 (-$22,000)

*Excludes on-road pricing