British manufacturer, Jaguar, has announced they’ll upgrade the 2014 Jaguar XJ with a stop/start engine system and more luxury for their long-wheel base interiors. As Mercedes-Benz introduces the new S-Class all around the world and Audi upgrades the A8 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it’s only natural that the ageing Jaguar XJ gets the requisite nip-and-tuck treatment to keep it relevant.
The updates aren’t extensive and don’t alter exterior styling but they do include new 18-inch ‘Manra’ lightweight alloy wheels; a new centre armrest; optional 1300 watt Meridian Reference Audio System featuring ‘Conversation Assist’ and 26 super-premium speaker drive units; soft closing door technology (like you get on the S-Class) and a revised entertainment system with high-resolution touchscreens that hopefully work a little faster than the 2012 spec screens we last sampled.
The long-wheel base version of the 2014 Jaguar XJ now has twin ‘airline style’ reclining seats with massage function and fold-out business tables. Another highlight is the upgraded Rear Seat Entertainment which can display video from the DVD player, digital TV tuner or an external media player. Jaguar says they’ve increased rear headroom and they’ve also re-tuned the rear suspension set-up for improved rear quality in the back. The range of engines is carried over from before but they’ve gained the company’s Intelligent Stop/Start system as standard.
These subtle upgrades are in accordance with the Jaguar XJR also joining the 2014 line-up of course. With a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine that develops 405 kW and 680 Nm of torque, the Jaguar XKR takes 4.4 seconds to get to 100 km/h runs up to an electronically-limited top speed of 280 km/h.
