Jaguar. A name which some would say is synonymous with Mrs Robinson. It's something we all secretly want. A fantasy. One that we're quick to slam and slander in public; but should a Jag (or cougar) pass by right in front of our very eyes, something special occurs. Our hearts skip a beat, our eyes sparkle and quite possibly our significant other smacks us across the head, awaking us from our dream.
The 2002 XJ is no different. It indeed is a proper Jag, a Mrs. Robinson if you will. On the outside she's certainly older than her fellow creatures, however, its a classy and elegant age, much like a fine wine instead of a stale pint of draught lingering in the carpets of the old pub.
This is the last year that Jaguar decided to use steel instead of aluminium for the body, and this has resulted in an astonishing four tonnes of weight, comparable to that of a Range Rover. However, this hasn't dampened the XJ's performance in the slightest.
The 290 brake horsepower, V8 engine provides about 100 times more power than one would expect in a saloon car, but we're not complaining. After all, who doesn't enjoy someone else doing all the work? For those thrill seekers who truly like astonishingly quick acceleration, theres also a Sport Mode, which allows the engine to rev to the redline before the transmission changes gears. It also tightens the suspension at the same time, allowing for "sportier" handling. For those who truly like to get their pants wet, theres also a Traction Control button, or rather a "Trac Control Off" button. No need to say what that does.
The interior is a completely different story all together though. Inside, the XJ8 isn't sporty. Nor is it really truly modern. Instead its an elegant sea of leather and wood, mixed quite well with ambient lighting, and a truly clever lighting system. This, along with the loads of storage space, easy to use steering wheel controls and amazingly comfortable seats that one would expect to find on the space shuttle make for a truly magnificent interior.
With smooth handling, bone rattling perfomance, striking good looks, stunning curves and comfortable yet cozy interior, the 2002 XJ8 is most certainly a proper Coug....I mean Jaguar. It brings a (secret) smile to all our faces, sparks imaginations and truly is a joy to go for a drive in. So here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.
