Jaguar has just re-launched the 3.0 Diesel version of its XJ flagship luxury sedan at a relatively affordable Rs 92.1 lakh (Ex-showroom Mumbai, before Octroi). The reason Jaguar is now able to duck comfortably under the Rs 1 crore barrier with the XJ (prices previously started at Rs 1.16 crore) is that it’s now locally assembled at the company’s plant in Pune, alongside the smaller XF sedan and the Land Rover Freelander. 

 

Interestingly, with the drop in price has come additional equipment. The aluminium-bodied luxury sedan, at least in this locally assembled, 3.0-litre Diesel guise, will now get massaging rear seats, electric rear sun blinds, LED reading lamps, a new business table and a pair of 10.2-inch rear screens. However, Jaguar also says it will be available in two trims – Premium Luxury and Portfolio – and many of these features are likely to be on the latter. Jaguar is also promising improved headroom in the rear seats.

 

“We are delighted to introduce the flagship of the Jaguar brand, the epitome of extraordinary luxury, the XJ as locally manufactured, at an extremely competitive price point in the luxury saloon segment in India,” said JLR India’s VP, Rohit Suri.

 

The 2,993cc diesel V6 in the locally produced Jaguar XJ is currently the largest and most powerful engine you can opt for in this car in India. It produces a solid 271bhp and 61.2kgm of and sends it to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Jaguar also sells the XJ here with a 237bhp 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol motor, but that version is not being locally assembled at this time. 

 

Thus far sold solely as a CBU, the Jaguar XJ was a pricey alternative to more established luxury sedan rivals like the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-class, BMW 7-series and recently facelifted Audi A8. With this price reduction, you can expect to see more examples of the big Jag on our roads very soon.

 

GAVIN D’SOUZA