2013 Jaguar XJ Reviews

 We had just spent a day testing the Land Rover LR2 and off road section of the test was so good that I imagined it would be difficult for Jaguar team outshine their partners Land Rover but would go to the test with an open mind and ready to enjoy the day and driving whatever this would give us.

This time we would have a chance to test the 2013 model of the car flag of the brand: the drive Jaguar XJ in its new version AWD (All Wheel Drive). With this vehicle the firm closes a gap in its product offerings and the potential market dramatically wide that can be accessed - after all in the northern states and Canada few months where you can drive a V8 drive later.

For wheel drive Jaguar XJ uses his brand new supercharged V6 3-liter (340 hp and 332lb/pie of torque) mated to a 8-speed automatic. Whats special about this XJ is the AWD system, developed using the experience of Land Rover in traction systems. This operates in a "smart" constantly monitoring levels of grip and pilot actions (turning the wheel angles and "weight" of the right foot) to prevent tire slippage and achieve greater traction in all ground conditions.

It had snowed a little last night and this time the 50-minute portion of the road from Mont Tremblant to motor sports complex and Mecaglisse driving school, where would the different tests, were all on snow and ice and is we did not have to wait to test the capabilities of the car. From exit and press modes select button snow / winter this car out in the 2nd gear and transfers 30% of the drive to the front wheels for easy exit.

Again and as is my custom in these tests passenger preferred to go in the first section. Firstly because the routes normally get "good" at halfway and secondly (and this time the main reason) because my partner had more management experience than me at handling snow (after a couple of scares began to question my decision a bit ...) took the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and comfort inside the car finishes are very thin and I was struck by the wood veneer doors connecting the top of the board since gives the interior a warm feeling in contrast to what we saw outside, combined with heated seats and massage is not hard to forget that you are in a car, not a bar of Cognac.

interior

Was my turn to drive and as expected this section of the route was pretty much locked and fun,  took a few minutes to adjust to the braking in snow-a fraction of a second later than right and begin to see the trees come dangerously fast - to take the car "happy" is very necessary to modulate the throttle and going against what instinct tells you more is better than less.

Once we Mecaglisse slalom, lane changes and exits from scratch with the traction control system and stability in different ways so we can appreciate how involved and how this intervention is inconspicuous. By far the preferred test for all participants was the "drifting" in the Oval ice. The instructor made it look so easy! Conversed animatedly gesturing with his right hand while his left hand and modulating the throttle bore the Jaguar XJ with the corner of the trunk ahead. I was left wanting more and would have changed the rest of the evidence by a little more practice.

After lunch wed get on the car for a couple of hours, many of these large roads with great visibility and long corners. As I had taken her hand in the car and the temptation was great what hit it fast by just over half an hour using the steering wheel paddles to select changes rather sporty handling; Wonderful.

The 2013 Jaguar XJ continues the tradition of elegance inside and out and driving dynamics for which the brand is known but now offers more opportunities for use.