FirstDrive: Jaguar XJ Ultimate – From the Back Seats


Intro
Looks
From The Back Seats…
Engine / Performance
Driving / NVH
Verdict

While the rear passengers are missing out up front, there are plenty of toys rearward to keep them occupied.

Being a Long-Wheel-Base means there’s already five inches more rear legroom, and while the sloping roof is actually more noticeable than I was expecting, this can also be said for those up front with the A- Pillars. I had no problems with headroom mind, but you’d might expect more since I’m not even six-foot.

Jaguar XJ Ultimate interior
LWB-only means extra rear legroom.

No matter though, the seats electrically recline backwards to solve any potential issues. They also massage, adjust the lumbar and heat / cool you too, whilst even the headrests are winged to theoretically stop your head from sliding off them.

Rear seat control

Whoever sits behind the front passenger seat can also adjust that seat forwards to further increase legroom.

Entertainment-wise, each passenger gets their own screen built into the headrests for watching TV or DVDs, whilst a third-gen iPad and wireless keyboard docks and charges just above the map pocket when the ignition is turned on. So you can watch the News and play Candy Crush at the same time as you’d might at home.

Rear Entertainment System
Rear Entertainment System

A wireless controller in the centre console adjusts your climate control and seat heating functions, and you can listen through wireless headphones or via the 20-speaker Meridian soundsystem.

Control module

There isn’t a middle seat anymore either. That seat was the bitch seat anyway, and there’s no room for them in a place like this. So now, where you would normally fold down the centre armrest, it’s actually just a compartment door.

Jaguar-XJ_Ultimate_2013_800x600_wallpaper_16Slide that downwards though and two LED lights will beam down from atop, revealing a nice refrigerated bottle of Lambrini chilled at 7 degrees Celsius.

I say Lambrini as I the alleged champagne was missing and presumed drunk – as were the ipads that had already been nicked!

Looking ahead, down the centre console in between your vents and climate controls, a gloss-black, machined aluminium table by your knees electronically rises at the press of a button. Press and hold the button down for long enough, rotate the table round and what’s revealed underneath is a compartment containing two bespoke champagne flutes. One for each hand?


Spec: Ultimate LWB
Engine: 5.0 V8 Supercharged Petrol, 503bhp, 461lb ft
Transmission: 8-Speed Auto
Mpg: Official: 24.4mpg Achieved: 20mpg
Performance: 0-62mph: 4.9 Secs, 155mph
Colour: Black

Pictures marked with * were sourced from here.
Pictures marked with ** were sourced from AutoTrader.
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