JAGUAR’S current-generation, X350 XJ is a glorious failure. Hampered by yesterday’s styling, it is clear that potential buyers have not appreciated the fact that this full-sized sedan is still very much tomorrow’s car underneath, thanks to technologies like advanced aluminium construction and computer controlled air suspension. So Jaguar has tried to make it look a little more modern, reinstated its smooth and willing 3.5-litre V8 powerplant as the base petrol engine, and included more standard features. But while we don’t think the styling is wholly successful, the base XJ8 – rich in feel, rewarding to drive and oozing in personality – is an unmitigated success as far as meeting the luxury car criteria is concerned.
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Jaguar XJ6
Released: Mar 2004
Ended: Dec 2007
Family Tree: XJTHE third-generation XJ luxury sedan kicked off with the return of the hallowed XJ6 moniker. But instead of a classic twin-cam inline six-cylinder unit, Jaguar fitted a modified version of a Ford 3.0-litre V6 powerplant producing 179kW and 300Nm. Allied to a ZF six-speed automatic, the XJ6’s performance was smooth enough, but the effortless oomph of the smallest of the V8 models – the 3.5-litre unit – was missing. Other than this, the XJ6 offered the same aluminium body, air suspension and classy styling as all other X350 Jaguars. Interestingly, a V6 variant lives on in the guise of the diesel-powered XJ6D.
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