Test Drive: 2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged
You can make as many feline comparisons as you want, but there’s nothing cat-like about this monster of a car. The XJL is beast from nose to tail, and we got the chance to take one out on the open road to really see what Jaguar is all about these days. Falling in love followed shortly after. From its smooth acceleration to its Dynamic Sport mode, the drive is a dream. And it ain’t bad to look at, either. In this video, WatchMojo.com spends a week behind the wheel of the Jaguar XJL Supercharged to check out all the opulence and gadgetry this luxury automaker had to offer.
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Test Drive: 2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged
Design
The lines of the Jaguar XJL are superb. Sleek, sloping and fantastically modern, the look of this brand new XJ is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous-generation XJ. Some hardcore Jaguar enthusiasts won’t agree with the new look that mimics the new XF in an older, tougher big-brother kind of way. The front grille is fabulously big and intimidating and the rear, Cat's Claw lights are delightfully modern and quirky all at once.
Jaguar went the extra mile when designing the interior space of the XJL Supercharged. Like sitting in a regal living room, the burl walnut trim and leather accents will have you thinking you’re in an estate home instead of a car, and that’s just fantastic. Luxury abounds in the XJL, as does the space. As the "L" stands for the longer wheelbase model, the XJL really does offer more space in the rear seat -- there are even nifty fold-out trays for rear passengers where netbooks fit perfectly for on-the-road work.
Jaguar's only slip was with their onboard entertainment system that’s unbelievably slow and very unfriendly to use. Each year I hope they improve the system, but they haven’t yet. Here’s hoping for the next time round.
Drive
Driving the XJL Supecharged is a dream, there’s really no other way to describe it. Smooth acceleration and power that you wouldn’t expect, the XJL Supercharged is a supercar in disguise (and a pretty disguise at that). Outfitted with a growling 5.0-liter V8 and supercharger, the XJL powers from 0-60 in just 4.9 seconds thanks to 470 horses. With a Dynamic Sport mode that just begs to be pushed all the time, you won’t feel like you’re driving a big, saloon-type car at all when you’re behind the wheel of the XJL Superchaged.
You’ll feel important beyond belief and spoiled all at once when you drive the XJL, and that’s part of the allure. Jaguar has turned its attention to performance, and the XJL Supercharged is proof of that endeavor.
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