The Car we miss - Jaguar XJL

|THE DEN|

The Jaguar XJ L was a flagship luxury car that did not fit into the stereotyped picture, and there were reasons for this. With its low-slung style, it gave the impression of being introverted. Its tastefully designed and exquisitely built rooms elicit admiration from all. Even the most heinous critics have a hard time finding something wrong with a Jaguar.

The 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine in the XJ L had been tweaked to produce 296bhp and 700Nm of torque. It weighed just under two tonnes and accelerated from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in under 6.2 seconds. That's a really quick luxury limousine.

In terms of current technologies, the XJ L had 360-degree surround cameras with the ability to customise your view depending on your parking circumstances. The XJ L also came with an 8-inch 'InControl Touch Pro' infotainment system that was as responsive as a smartphone. Touch and swipe controls worked exactly as on a phone, and it was simple to use right away.

The ignition was turned on, and the super polished Jaguar Drive Selector rose to reach the driver's hand, almost like an orchestra. With a simple twist, it switched to D-mode, which took care of everything on its own. If you were in a hurry, press it down and twist on the right to engage Sport mode.

When you fold down the tray tables or turn either of the 10- inch screens, the experience was similar to that of certain carriers' business-class seats. There was plenty of space, and the leather seats provide great back and under-thigh support. In fact, because to the eight-level massage function, the backrest and seat base can not only be electrically reclined and adjusted, but can also be employed as powerful stress relievers.

The XJ L was significantly less expensive than its competitors, starting at Rs 1.05 crore ex-showroom. It was also a lot more powerful in this 3.0-litre V6 configuration — 15% more on average. However, the car's sales were too low for Jaguar to continue selling this marvel in India, and we all mourn it to this day. Let’s hope that Jaguar brings the XJ L back to India with an update soon.