Aggressive and sleek drive

Whenever someone mentions a Jaguar to me, I instantly think of my primary school head teacher. I clearly remember her pulling up to the car park in her classic Jag, turning the heads of all the mums and dads dropping their kids off for the day.

At that time, I wasn’t familiar with luxury cars, nor did I really care for them, but something about the brand stuck with me … it must have been my underlying longing for the elegant image that Miss held.

So, it comes as no surprise that when I had the pleasure of spending an entire weekend driving the 2012 Jaguar XJ, I was ecstatic.

As I was handed the key I was given a little surprise by the staff at Jaguar Bahrain. They gave me a bouquet of pink and white flowers that complimented the all-silver aluminium body of the car and, not to mention, it made me feel that much more special.

The 3.0 litre, 340 bhp V6 model I drove not only looked the part, but with the help of the flowers, also smelled the part. The exterior is stylish and resembles a coupe, only bigger with four doors.

As soon as I sat in the spacious vehicle and pushed the button to start the engine, I immediately felt like I was in a spaceship about to take-off to the stars.

Although an aggressive and sleek animal on the outside, the interior’s wood trim is all about class, yet it holds a contemporary feel with the retro aircraft-inspired dials throughout.

Chrome and leather are constant features inside with the main screen and gear box beautifully bordered by a blue bright light that, when reflected on the chrome, creates a polished finish and shiny glow.

Everything about this vehicle is luxurious, the seats are plump and supportive with a ventilation system, the leather-covered dashboard is low and wide, the digital gauges are perfectly lit, and the easy-to-use eight-inch touch screen includes navigation, vehicle menus, gear selection, infotainment data and more at the touch of a button.

It felt rich and sporty, despite its massive size, with plenty of legroom for comfort. But unlike most German luxury sedans, this British marque is still fun with effortless acceleration, while still giving you that beastly roar – the distinctive character of Jaguar on the roads.

The driving experience was fantastic. It felt light, smooth and controlled and handled very obediently for such a large sedan. Not to mention, as a terrible parker, I appreciated the standard back-up camera and sensors in the front and the back of the car while reversing.

What stood out the most, though, is the gear stick, which is a polished chrome dial with a grated aluminium side that pops out while the engine is switched on and slowly descends when turned off. And with this driver always placing her hand on the gear stick, I just didn’t know what to do with my right hand! That was until I realised the lights and the glove box were controlled by touch, at which point I couldn’t help but keep my hand occupied and entertained.

While stuck in traffic, losing count of how many people were checking out the wheels I was rolling in, I forgot that Ryan, the photographer, was sat beside me, as the car is wide enough to ensure enough room between the driver and the passenger’s seat ... until he slipped his African music into the CD player and blasted it through the 600W sound system.

Later that same night I headed to a wedding in the Jag. As Stephen Harris, the new general manager of Jaguar Bahrain advised, I decided to ride in the backseat while my mum chauffeured me to the Sofitel. According to Stephen I would be able to experience what ‘M’ felt like sitting at the back of the Jag in the latest Bond movie, Skyfall. However, I felt a little more important than that. With a gentleman opening the door for me as I stepped out dressed to the nines, and not to mention, with the bouquet conveniently left for me in the backseat, I felt like royalty!

The Jaguar XJ is cast as the flagship of the British automaker’s line-up. The four-door V6 was accompanied by the V12 a few years later, making it the world’s only 12-cylinder sedan.
The V6 XJ’s starting price is BD28,000.

For details contact Mohammed Jalal & Sons on 17707070.