2014 Jaguar XJR-L Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 5.0-liter supercharged V8 pumping out 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. Transmission: eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy: 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway. Average as tested: 18.1 mpg. Price: $119,895 to start, our lightly optioned test car costs $122,375.

Preview

Something like an executive limousine that thinks it’s a sports car. You want a vehicle that can be chauffeur driven during the week while you conduct important business in the back, but double as a weekend warrior attacking back-roads like Kowalski in “Vanishing Point.” This sounds like a job for the 2014 Jaguar XJR long wheelbase.

After a five-year hiatus, the “R” designation returns to the XJ lineup for 2014. Available with a short or long wheelbase, the R takes the already potent supercharged XJ Supercharged and transforms it into an English hooligan. More than just a badge and paint makeover, the R receives substantial upgrades inside and out. But it is the heart of this beast that makes us the most excited.

Under The Hood

Lurking under the vented bonnet is the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from the Jaguar XKR-S pumping out 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. That is an increase of 40 hp over last year’s XJ Supersport and an 80-hp increase over the XJ Supercharged. Like all XJs, this engine is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission.  Unfortunately, the programming seems less responsive than we found with the eight-speed automatic in the F-Type. In regular drive mode, gear kick-down is delayed and goes through multiple cogs instead of finding the lowest possible option. That’s a suitable trait for a luxury limo, but not so for one with an “R” on the trunk lid and 550 hp. Sport mode improves the transmission’s haste a bit, but not by enough. The paddle shifters are unable to coax the transmission into responding quickly either.

Thankfully the engine picks up the slack. There is so much power on tap, the car will accelerate at any speed with ferocious velocity. It’s like driving an ocean freighter with a rocket booster. Jaguar claims the car can go from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds on its way to a 174 mph top speed. It is impossible to exploit the speed of this car has within legal limits; it’s so fast and composed on the road, the XJR makes all speed limits seem painfully slow.

Interior

But this does not mean the car is a rebellious delinquent; everything is prim and proper inside with only a subdued Jaguar V8 bark alluding to the car’s true potential. Well OK, the optional bright red leather seats may not please the opera and lawn bowling crowd but we love them. Not only do they look great, but the seats are also very comfortable thanks to 18 modes of adjustability.

Perfect for our cold wintery test period, rumps will roast in no time at all thanks to one of the most intense seat heaters we have ever experienced. The Meridian sound system is equally intense, gaining praise from drivers and passengers alike as it pounds out a clean, deep sound; everything from Bob Dylan to Bach sounds better in the XJR.

Warm and entertained, rear seat passengers will also be able stretch out. The extended wheelbase XJ gains nearly five inches of total length, all of which translates to extra rear legroom. Now measuring a massive 44.1 inches, that is more rear space than can be found in the Audi A8L W12, Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG or BMW 760Li.