The 2006 Jaguar XJ Super V8 is a car to be seen in, preferably in the backseat rather than the driver’s seat. Driving my children around in such an upscale mode of transportation (“car” just doesn’t do the deed to describe a vehicle that costs more than $90,000) has me mistaking even myself for the new family chauffeur. The scary thing is that it’s not such a stretch of the imagination: This is the grim reality of motherhood.
I have to admit to some slight jealously due to the fact that my kids were living the good life in the back of the Super V8. With fold-down picnic/business trays behind each of the front seats, their hopes were high for independent living. If only I hadn’t spoiled all their fun by not letting them picnic in the car, life would be good. Sorry, crayons and markers are out of the question, too. Shoes? Nope, take them off before entering the house – I mean car. As a matter of fact, I should make them wear plastic abatement suits to protect the vehicle’s ivory leather seats from the general kid-ness that follows most children (even clean ones) wherever they go.
Independent video screens for each child also got their hopes up. The biggest trick was figuring out how to work them. After 10 minutes of finagling, I finally broke down and read the owner’s manual to discover that DVDs are loaded in the trunk. Hmm, that’s convenient! I guess people with chauffeurs aren’t concerned about functionality – they can just have someone else (like mom) change the movies when needed. The rear video system, audio system and climate controls can each be operated independently from the front.
Despite the fact that most people wouldn’t consider the Super V8 family-friendly, car seats and booster seats are surprisingly easy to install. The exception was the bump on my noggin I sustained ducking under the door jam (and not quite succeeding) when buckling in the baby of the family. My eldest, in a booster seat, had no trouble fastening her own seat belt thanks to easy-to-use buckles.
Although the back seat is a very pleasant place to be in this car, the driver’s seat isn’t bad, either. Equipped with systems such as park assist (an audible tone telling me how far the front and rear of the vehicle is from parking obstacles), automatic speed limiter (not allowing the driver to accelerate above a pre-set speed limit) and adaptive cruise control (using radar sensors to keep the vehicle a set distance from the car in front), the Super V8 nearly drives itself. The Jaguar voice command system also pitches in to help limit driver distractions, such as fiddling with radio controls. Adjustable pedals and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel combine with infinitely adjustable front seats to help every driver find a perfect fit.
Despite all the extras, I’m still trying to figure out what makes this vehicle’s price soar to and surpass $90,000. Where are the heated and cooled cupholders? Where are the air-cooled seats? Maybe it’s the 400-horsepower supercharged V-8 engine (which surprisingly enough gets fairly good gas mileage), the lambswool rugs, the hand-inlaid boxwood and burl walnut veneer trim or the ambla-trimmed fascia (don’t ask me what that is). Or maybe some things are simply worth what others are willing to pay for them. In the case of the Jaguar Super V8, $90,000 might just be the price to pay to turn heads and look the part. You want me to play the part for a week or two? Well, OK, if you twist my arm.
*For more information on the Jaguar Super V8 and its safety features, visit www.cars.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair – Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair – Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times
.jpg)
