A 2-litre engine in a luxe barge such as the XJ? What was Jaguar thinking?
But as it turns out, the XJ with the smallest power plant is
pleasantly driveable, with almost the same level of pace and grace as
its better endowed siblings.
What is more amazing is that the car is able to leave that
impression despite the writer having driven the 431bhp BMW M3 right
before it. Which again proves that it is not always the horsepower of a
car that determines how powerful it feels.
In the case of the XJ 2.0, each pony is pulling its weight, aided by
an eight-speed transmission that suffers very little loss because it is
so smooth and intuitive.
The engine - turbocharged to make 240bhp and 340Nm of torque from
2,000rpm - is the smallest power plant found in the XJ's segment of
cars. It is the same unit found in the hit Range Rover Evoque.
And despite being visibly bigger, the XJ pips the Evoque in the
century sprint by 0.1 seconds at 7.5. This is a very decent timing for
a limo measuring more than 5m front to back.
It is 125mm shorter than its long-wheelbase XJL sibilings though,
and at least 6 per cent lighter. In fact, at 1,660kg, the aluminium XJ
is merely 95kg heavier than a noticeably smaller Honda Accord.
This gives the XJ 2.0 a somewhat respectable power-to-weight ratio
of 145bhp per tonne. Which explains its relative effortlessness to
drive.
A light and linear throttle works wonders to evoke the sense of
responsiveness, as does a well-sorted gearbox. The slightest tap sends
the XJ surging, and the car is more than able to keep pace with flowing
traffic.
It is only when you are in a real rush that you feel the cat is more
tabby than tiger. Floor the accelerator and there is a lapse of at
least one full second before the engine spools up and lets fly.
While the car has little trouble attaining autobahn speeds, getting there in a hurry is a bit of a challenge.
So, unlike the M3 which excels when driven aggressively, the XJ 2.0 is at its best when the driver is in a zen state of mind.
It is not too difficult to be serene when you are in an XJ. The ride is lush and the cabin is plush.
While it is effectively the entry-level variant of the XJ family, it
is still better equipped and more luxuriously appointed than some
rivals.
But it is short on a few features found in other XJs, such as
adaptive xenon headlamps, wood-and-leather steering wheel, massage
seats, rear "business tables" and electric rear window blinds.
But other top-tier luxury items remain intact, such as soft-closing
doors, motorised boot lid, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with
navigation, blind-spot monitor, cruise control and self-releasing
electronic parking brake.
The cabin still boasts plenty of leather, wood and chrome; and is
just as well-insulated as the interior of other XJs. The second row
remains relatively roomy despite the shorter wheelbase.
Being shorter has at least one advantage: The car takes corners with
neater, tighter lines. Of course, the XJ is not a car for carving up S
courses. Its forte lies in its "glidability", which allows the car to
maintain its momentum long after your foot has left the right pedal.
Found in better limousines, the trait makes a car feel luxurious and
laidback as it coasts from start to stop, seemingly with no effort at
all. Certainly, it goes some way in masking the obvious limitations
that come with a small engine in a big body.
Specs
JAGUAR XJ 2.0
Price: $365,000 with COE
Engine: 1,999cc 16-valve inline-4 turbocharged
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with paddle shift
Power: 240bhp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 340Nm at 2,000-4,000rpm 0-100kmh: 7.5 seconds
Top speed: 241kmh
Fuel consumption: 8.5 litres/100km
