2018 Jaguar XJ Introduced, Range-Topping XJR Now Comes With 575 PS

It turns out that Jaguar wasn’t planning to ax the XJ, as a recent report suggested. Far from it, as they just introduced the upgraded 2018MY version.

Before going through some of these tweaks, let’s focus our attention on the new XJR575 performance flagship model, which delivers 575PS (567hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft) of torque from the JLR’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8, 25 PS more than the previous model.

The luxury sports saloon needs just 4.4 seconds from rest to hit 100km/h (62mph) (0-60mph/96km/h in 4.2sec), and it will keep going up to a top speed of 300km/h (186mph). By comparison, the Mercedes-AMG S65, which uses a more powerful V12, can reach 100km/h (62mph) in 4.3 seconds, while the BMW 760Li xDrive cuts this time down to 3.9sec.

Jaguar says that their sportiest variant of the XJ family can be had in the standard wheelbase body style, and will be available in two bespoke exterior colors, Velocity Blue and Satin Corris Grey.

Other features that will distinguish the new Jaguar XJR575 are the tweaked font bumper, lower air intakes, twin bonnet louvers, side sills, rear spoiler, 20-inch Farallon gloss-black wheels, and the ‘XJR575’ exterior badging.

Inside, the British automaker’s range-topping saloon has diamond-quilted seating that can be ordered in Ivory/Jet and Jet/Jet color options and finished with additional 575 branding, embossed tread plates, and 575 intaglio.

Besides introducing the new XJR575, Jaguar has also made a few enhancements to the rest of the XJ family, which now features technology upgrades that include 4G Wi-Fi capability, a larger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display that supports pinch and zoom, and what the brand calls “the latest intelligent safety technologies”. These are the Forward Traffic Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Condition Monitor, and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection. The latter operates from 5-60km/h (3-37mph) and uses a stereo digital camera to spot hazards in the front, applying the brakes automatically if the risk of collision is detected.

Jaguar has already opened the order books for the 2018 XJ at retailers across the UK, and prices start from £59,995 ($77,969).