Jaguar’s XJ-series is the epitome of luxury and performance for the British car maker.  And even with Ford money, and the subsequent introduction of new models such as the XK-series, X-Type, and S-Type series models, the XJ-series has remained the company’s all-encompassing product.  The XJ-series, especially in XJ8 form, proves that the British do stand a great chance in toppling the Germans in the ultra-luxury car game.

So when Jaguar had to redesign an all-new XJ-series, there was cause for great concern.  How can the new XJ-series keep the fiercely loyal Jaguar clientele happy with all the sorts of walnut and leather trim they’re so used to, but at the same time, be modern and high-tech enough to attract a new sort of buyer?  How can the new XJ-series gain new market share in an industry with powerful players that include Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz?

For starters, they embodied the XJ-series with an all aluminum body and chassis.  Although this process doesn’t sound too groundbreaking as the Audi A8 and various Ferraris have been using them for decades, what makes the XJ’s different is that it’s a monocoque chassis, similar to a conventional steel-bodied sedan.  Unlike cars which use a spaceframe, the new technique used by Jaguar enables the XJ8 to gain 60 percent more stiffness, while reducing 40 percent of the overall weight.

On the open road, the Jaguar XJ8 feels as nimble as its smaller X-Type or S-Type brethren.  Although it comes standard with large, 17-inch cast alloy rims, the XJ8 rides on the soft side, gliding through the smallest of road ruts.  Noticeably is how good the ride is, by remaining supple but without the barge-like feeling of other luxury sedans.  However, show it a corner, and the XJ8 can take it without hesitation.  Though there’s a degree of body roll, overall the XJ8 isn’t a barge, as its looks may suggest.

The steering, although a bit uncommunicative remains true to Jaguar form by being responsive and reactive.  There are fancy ‘active this or active that’ on the XJ8, and it doesn’t need it.  This is one aristocratic blue-blooded handler that shows perfect balance between performance and comfort.  The Jaguar DNA, is truly alive in-between those front and rear double-wishbones.

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