Jaguar XJ Ultimate | Jaguar Media Newsroom (2024)

BEIJING MOTOR SHOW, APRIL 2012 - PRESSRELEASE

At-a-glance

• The XJ Ultimate represents the pinnacle of the luxurious,innovative XJ experience with heightened levels of opulence forrear-seat passengers
• Two individually tailored rear seats are trimmed insemi-aniline premium natural leather with power adjustment andrecline, lumbar support, massage function and climate controls
• A rear business table, machined from solid aluminium with pianoblack trim, powers into position at the touch of a button
• A pair of bespoke champagne flutes resides in a dedicatedstorage area beneath the powered table
• A champagne chiller between the rear seats cools the bottle tothe perfect temperature and automatically presents it when thecabinet is opened
• A full-length, leather-trimmed centre console features phosphorblue accent lighting and stowage areas to extend the car's businessusability
• Each rear-seat passenger is provided with aniPad^®and keyboard, housed and charged in dedicatedleather-trimmed docks in the rear of the front seats
• A 15-channel, 20-speaker surround sound system engineeredspecifically for the XJ by British audio specialists Meridian givesan unparalleled audiophile listening experience
• Rear-seat entertainment package with twin headrest-mountedscreens and wireless headphones
• Exclusive interior finishes including Herringbone veneer,machined aluminium and bespoke LED lighting
• To underline its purpose in ensuring that passengers remaincosseted at all times, the XJ Ultimate features revisions to thesuspension to optimise rear ride compliance
• The first 20 XJ Ultimate models will be finished in CelestialBlack, but customers can choose to have their car colour-matched toany shade of their choice
• Discreet external detailing and badging differentiates theUltimate from other XJ variants
• Unique 20-inch 'Maroa' forged alloy wheels feature bothtechnical grey and highly polished finishes
• The XJ Ultimate is the first Jaguar to be announced that willbe available with a new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrolengine
• The XJ Ultimate can also be specified with Jaguar's existing5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol engine, and its 3.0-litre V6turbocharged diesel. All powertrains drive through eight-speedtransmissions

INTRODUCTION

The flagship Jaguar XJ ushered in a new interpretation of thecompany's established reputation for dramatic design and - with itslightweight aluminium architecture - responsible performance. Now,the XJ Ultimate focuses on two further Jaguar hallmarks: innovationand luxury, extending the model's emotive appeal.

Based exclusively on the long-wheelbase XJ, the interior changesapplied to the Ultimate focus on the rear accommodation, extendingthe car's limousine remit to provide a fully-appointed luxurybusiness class experience for the most discerning of globalcustomers. The XJ Ultimate offers the appointments of a private jetin a package to suit a wide range of requirements.

A full-length, leather-trimmed centre console separates the twoindividually tailored rear seats which feature power adjustment,ventilation, massage and lumbar functions. A table, machined fromsolid aluminium with piano-black and chrome detailing, rises upfrom the centre console at the touch of a button to provide aworking area, its role supplemented by the provision of twothird-generation iPads^®with wireless keyboardsthat are housed in bespoke leather-trimmed docks in the rear of thefront seats.

Switching the focus from business to pleasure is the bespokechampagne chiller mounted between the two rear seats. This coolsthe bottle to what experts agree is the perfect temperature before'presenting' it forwards when the chiller is opened. Two speciallycommissioned champagne flutes reside in a purpose made cabinetbeneath the centre table.

A full rear seat package with twin headrest screens and wirelessheadphones completes the experience in combination with a new20-speaker surround sound in-car entertainment system developed byBritish audio experts Meridian.

To underline its purpose in ensuring that passengers remaincosseted at all times, the XJ Ultimate features revisions to thesuspension to optimise rear ride comfort, with no compromise to thecar's breadth of dynamic ability.

The exterior detailing of the XJ Ultimate offers discreet cluesto the model's figurehead status with sculpted lower air intakeschromed to match the grille, polished stainless steel oval exhaustpipe finishers, unique dual-surfaced alloy wheels and subtle'Ultimate' badging.

The XJ Ultimate is available with Jaguar's existing 5.0-litre V8supercharged petrol engine, its powerful and efficient 3.0-litre V6turbocharged diesel, and a new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrolunit, all driving the rear wheels via an eight-speedtransmission.

EXTERIOR

The Jaguar XJ introduced a mouldbreaking coupé design ethos toits class, taking Jaguar's established principle of long, unbrokenfeature lines and applying them to a decidedly 21st century form.Dramatically different from its competitors, the all-aluminium XJcaptures the essential Jaguar design elements of elegance,muscularity, sleekness and strength.

The detail changes applied to the XJ Ultimate serve to subtlyenhance the inherent rightness of the car's design, making it clearthat this is the luxurious flagship of the range.

The lower front air intakes are reshaped and chrome finished,matching the powerful Jaguar grille, while LED daytime-runninglights underline the assertively shaped headlamps.

The 20-inch Maroa forged alloy wheels are unique to this modeland feature a dual-tone colour scheme. A dark grey, technicalfinish is applied to the inner surfaces of the spokes whichcontrasts with the bright, polished surfacing on the outer edges,combining to create an appearance that is both glamorous andpurposeful.

Anyone following an XJ Ultimate will be in no doubt that themodel is a cut above, as it is distinguished by new oval tailpipefinishers in polished stainless steel that echo the front airintakes and a discreet metal 'Ultimate' badge underneath the 'XJ'nameplate. The 'Ultimate' badging is repeated in the power ventsset into the front fenders.

The first 20 Ultimate models made will be painted in CelestialBlack, but customers can also order their car in Polaris White -and any colour in between. In addition to an exclusive extendedpalette of paint colours, including a new 'chromaflare' range, XJUltimate customers can order their car colour-matched to any shadeof their choosing on provision of a suitable sample for a truebespoke experience.

INTERIOR

Jaguar has always prided itself on creating unique cabinenvironments and the interior architecture of the XJ is like noother, combining graceful and unexpected forms with qualitymaterials that reward the senses with their tactility, visualsplendour and luxury.

Unique finish and personalisation

Now, the Ultimate's position as the XJ range's luxury flagshipis apparent from the moment the door is opened. A unique woodveneer, crafted using straight ebony, has been formed into aHerringbone pattern with mirror image upper and lower halvesseparated by a strip of piano black veneer. The Herringbone patternforms fillets in the doors and at the front of the car runs aroundthe base of the windscreen to create a dramatic feature that mimicsthe form of classic wooden-hulled power boats. The clock mounted inthe dashboard is also unique to the model with a brushed aluminiumface, embossed lozenge detail and 'spun' bright finish.

The XJ Ultimate is offered in three interior colourways for thesumptuous leather that covers virtually every surface and is alsoused for the headlining; Jet on Jet, or Ivory seats and lowersurfaces with either Mineral or Bordeaux uppers.

Further personalisation is offered through customers being ableto specify the headrests embroidered with a pattern of theirchoice. The 'Ultimate' intaglio which sits in the centre of thesweep of Herringbone veneer under the windscreen can also bechanged to read whatever the owner wishes.

The XJ Ultimate brings a particular focus to the rear seatpassengers to create an ambience that carefully balances therequirements of the modern, on-the-move businessperson with certainsurprise-and-delight features that underline the XJ's 'work hard,play hard' personality and reward the discerning owner whoappreciates the sense of fun with which Jaguar imbues all itsproducts.

Tailored rear seating

In the Ultimate the XJ's standard rear bench has been replacedby two unique and individual seats designed specifically for thismodel. Elegant, cosseting and ergonomically optimised, the tailoredseats are covered in semi-aniline leather which offers a moreluxurious and tactile finish and allows the hide to retain itsessential qualities of look and feel, complemented by thehand-finished stitching.

The seats feature winged headrests, powered recline and four-waylumbar adjustment functions to allow passengers to achieve theseating position perfect for them. The comfort levels offered bythe seats are enhanced through the inclusion of on-demand massage,heating and cooling functions.

The occupant positioned behind the front passenger seat is alsoprovided with a stow-away button that automatically powers theempty chair forwards to increase still further the XJ's generouslegroom. The front seats follow the same unique design as the rearsand offer identical functions with an additional range of electricmovement allowing 20 by 20 adjustment.

The seats are divided by a centre console running along thelength of the car. Fully trimmed in soft-grain leather, piano blackveneer and chrome, the console houses a number of featuresexclusive to the XJ Ultimate. At the touch of a button a tablemachined from a solid piece of aluminium with a gloss black andchrome finish rises up to then be pivoted into position in front ofwhichever passenger requires its use.

Chilled to Perfection

Raising the table reveals the first of the XJ Ultimate'ssurprise and delight features, a pair of champagne flutes in abespoke recess flock-lined in either Mauveine or Jet and lit byphosphor blue ambient lighting. Within the centre console are'fluteholders', designed specifically for these glasses andmachined from solid aluminium.

The flutes are, of course, there for a reason: discreetlyintegrated between the rear seat backs, covered in soft-grainleather and marked by a chrome Jaguar leaper is a hidden champagnechiller. Lined in the same flock as the champagne flute recess togive the impression of a bespoke suit lining, it holds one standardsized champagne bottle which, when the cabinet door is opened, iseffortlessly presented forwards to the passengers. The champagne iskept perfectly chilled at the optimum temperature range of7°C-10°C.

TECHNOLOGY

Rear-seat passengers are also provided with a range ofentertainment options to enjoy while sipping their champagne. TheXJ Ultimate is fitted as standard with Jaguar's Rear SeatEntertainment package which comprises two eight-inchhigh-resolution screens mounted on the back of the front seatheadrests.

These can display inputs from a number of sources; the DVDplayer, digital TV tuner or an external media player that can besynced through the Rear Media Interface, which provides USB and RCAconnections. Sound can be provided through the wireless headphones,allowing each passenger to watch separate entertainmentsources.

The rear seat environment, including the entertainment, ismanaged by a wireless controller housed in the centre console andwhich also allows passengers to alter their individual climatezones and seat heating and cooling functions.

Meridian Surround Sound

The XJ Ultimate is also fitted as standard with the latestgeneration of in-car audio systems. Specifically developed for theXJ by British ultra-premium audio experts Meridian, marking a newpartnership for Jaguar, the Meridian Surround Sound System fittedto the XJ Ultimate uses the latest technological developments todeliver music reproduction that is second to none.

Unlike other manufacturers, Meridian designs and manufacturesaudio systems that combine innovative technology with the mostnatural of approaches: comparing their musical reproduction to thesound of the original musical performance.

The 15-channel amplifier, 20-loudspeaker system featuresMeridian's unique digital sound processing technology that allowsevery person travelling in the XJ Ultimate to enjoy a musicalexperience that places them in the centre of the sound field.Meridian achieves this through its Trifield technology whichcreates an all-enveloping sound field that makes each listener feelthat the music is exclusively focused on him or her.

Meridian technology achieves a level of natural detail, realismand performance usually associated with speakers eight times thephysical volume. Meridian Cabin Correction and Dynamic VolumeControl precisely and effortlessly minimise resonances and monitorextraneous noise levels to allow the audio to be unobtrusivelymaintained at a constant volume in order for it to be perfectlyheard whatever the circ*mstances.

iPad Integration

In addition to the entertainment on offer, the XJ Ultimate alsoprovides a pair of third-generation iPads^®withwireless keyboards. The iPads^®are housed withinspecially designed leather-trimmed docks in the rear of the frontseats and hidden behind roller doors, also finished in tailoredleather. The iPads^®are automatically kept chargedwhenever the ignition is on and also included in the cabinets arewireless keyboards to allow the tablets to be used without beingremoved from their docks if required.

PERFORMANCE AND DYNAMICS

To underline its purpose in ensuring that passengers remaincosseted at all times, the XJ Ultimate features revisions to theair-sprung rear suspension for optimised ride compliance. Whilethis provides a truly relaxing experience for rear seat passengers,the XJ Ultimate loses none of the model's core dynamic abilitiesand so is as rewarding to drive as it is to be driven in. The XJ'slightweight aluminium construction means a weight saving over itsrivals of as much as 150kg. This of course offers greatadvantages in terms of agility, acceleration, braking and driverfeedback and involvement.

The aluminium architecture also provides benefits in terms ofemissions and fuel consumption, allowing the XJ to provide anastonishing balance of performance and frugality from its range ofhighly efficient, refined and muscular engines.

The XJ Ultimate will be offered with Jaguar's existing andacclaimed 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine in supercharged form, and theequally highly regarded 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel. With510PS and 625Nm of torque, the supercharged V8 providesastonishingly vivid performance, the diesel V6 offering uncannilysmooth and potent progress while returning fuel consumption figuresof 40.1mpg (EU) on the combined cycle.

The XJ Ultimate will also be offered with a new 3.0-litre V6supercharged petrol engine being introduced to the range for the2013 model year. This engine, which in the XJ Ultimate will produce340PS and 450Nm, draws on the award-winning technology inherent toJaguar's V8 and offers similar performance to thenaturally-aspirated version of that engine (which is not availablein the XJ Ultimate), but with the emissions and fuel economyadvantages of a V6.

The 3.0-litre V6 S/C will be offered in tandem with Jaguar'sIntelligent Stop-Start system and, in common with all powertrainoptions, will drive the rear wheels through an eight-speedautomatic transmission.

(ENDS)

To contact the Jaguar UK PR team, pleasecall ore-mail: