Jaguar XJ50: The luxury saloon turns fifty!

1. Jaguar XJ50: The luxury saloon turns fifty! Over the years, luxury saloons have started to become the de facto choice of a chauffeur-driven billionaire. And it’s no secret that the segment is dominated by the likes of the Mercedes Benz S- Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8. The Jaguar XJ, for that matter, still out shines its German rivals with its unique design and impeccable street presence. As a matter of fact, the prodigious Jag, internationally, has been on sale for fifty years. And to celebrate this occasion, the British carmaker has launched the Jaguar XJ50 in various markets, including India. Here’s a glance of the big Jag from our Jaguar XJ50 review. In essence, the Jaguar XJ50 remains largely unchanged from the standard model. In its fourth generation, there’s no denying the fact that the XJ has started to show its age. That said, it does get some over-the-top cosmetic updates. The bumpers have been mildly reworked, the radiator grille now gets a chrome surround and there’s a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels. Then there’s XJ50 moniker on the fender and boot lid that dignifies the Jag’s appeal. On the inside, the Jaguar XJ50 retains its class leading luxury and opulence. The equipment list now incorporates ivory soft grin perforated leather seats that are electrically adjustable and feature ventilated and massage functions. The dashboard is draped in black leather, which contrasts well with the ivory seats for a plush experience. And since it’s a special edition, the car also gets XJ50 badging on the door sills, dashboard and armrest.

2. Since it’s the only variant of the XJ in India, the XJ50 features a zestful 3.0-litre V6 diesel that’s capable of producing 302bhp and 689Nm of torque. On paper, the XJ50’s oil burner is slightly more powerful and torquey than its rivals. Now, it may seem like 302bhp is slightly conservative for a car that weighs two tonnes, but the oodles of torque translate into an enthusiastic and exciting driving experience. However, refinement isn’t on par with the rivals, as the diesel clatter seeps in the cabin at higher revs –which isn’t something you expect from a car in this class. The suspension, on the whole, is on the stiffer side. As a result, the handling is simply impeccable as the prodigious Jag offers terrific handling unlike its German rivals. To sum it up, even after all these years, the flagship Jaguar saloon makes a strong case for itself. And yet again, it’s the only luxury saloon that offers an unmatched experience behind the wheel. To read the extensive Jaguar XJ50 review, be sure to tune in to autoX.