Jaguar XJ Lineup Gets More Technology and a New Flagship Model for 2018

Infotainment features and high-performance XJR575 model come to Jaguar flagship sedan portfolio.

The 2018 model year is all about performance for the Jaguar XJ family of sedans – in terms of engine and infotainment.

Technological upgrades to the king of the British automaker’s jungle include the latest Jaguar InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and 4G Wi-Fi, which can connect up to eight devices. InControl Touch Pro offers features such as door-to-door route planning and guidance, Commute Mode that learns a driver’s route to work and uses historical and real-time traffic data to automatically suggest alternative paths to avoid congestion, and Approach Mode that shows a 360-degree interactive view of a driver’s destination within 656 feet of arrival. All of those features, as well as the available 26-speaker, 1,300-watt Reference audio system from Meridian can be controlled through the new 10-inch central touchscreen. According to Jaguar, “Just like a smartphone, the home screen can be customized – there’s a choice of wallpaper images, while widgets can be used to shortcut to favorite features and functions.” Zooming in is a pinch away; scrolling between home screens only requires the swipe of a finger.

The new Driver Condition Monitor system – standard on rear-wheel-drive XJS – watches for drifting out of lanes and long periods of little to no steering followed by sudden or dramatic inputs. It also checks for throttle, brake, and instrument panel usage. If the monitor detects the driver is too tired, it will display a visual warning to encourage the driver to take a break.

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At the top of the 2018 XJ range is the new XJR575. As its name implies, it has 575 horsepower (and 517 lb-ft of torque), courtesy of its supercharged 5.0-liter V8. That enables the XJR575 to get to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 186 mph. Prices for the long-wheelbase, RWD-only XJR575 start at $122,400.

The XJ R-Sport is at the opposite end of the spectrum with a 340-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and a $75,400 MSRP (RWD); all-wheel drive is an extra $2,900. Above that is the long-wheelbase XJL Portfolio, which uses the same engine and starts at $84,500. AWD is available. The short-wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive XJ Supercharged, priced from $93,000, has a 470-horsepower supercharged V8. The XJL Supercharged has a longer wheelbase and a higher MSRP ($96,300).

Look for the 2018 XJs in your local Jaguar dealership starting this fall.

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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