In person, the new sedan looks nicer than in photos, although its design will not appeal to everyone — some may find it controversial.
The interior makes a much stronger impression. The dashboard, combining retro motifs and futuristic solutions, is finished at Bentley level, yet looks more stylish and modern. Instead of traditional instruments, there is a 12-inch screen with three virtual scales. Their layout can be customized. In sport mode, the display lights up red, the tachometer enlarges and moves to the center, while in normal driving it remains in the background.
INCREDIBLE LIGHTNESS
The aluminum body, assembled on a load-bearing frame, made the new XJ 150 kg lighter than its competitors. The suspension uses air springs and electronically controlled shock absorbers. Engines meeting Euro 5 standards work only with a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential mode.
The three-liter V6 turbodiesel producing 275 hp officially consumes 7.0 liters per 100 km. But even if real consumption turns out to be about thirty percent higher, it is unlikely to hit the owner's budget hard. Orders are already open, and the first cars will reach dealers in early 2010. The price range is from $119,982 (959,851 UAH) for the diesel version to $199,632 (1,597,050 UAH) for the V8 Supercharged version with 510 hp. In between is a version with a naturally aspirated five-liter gasoline engine producing 385 hp.