‘08 Geneva: Jaguar Gives ‘09 XJ, XKR the Portfolio Touch
There's more than one way to skin a cat, but for both Jaguar's XJ- and XK-series, the R-label is no longer the ultimate way. For 2009, both the XJ and XKR are again available as Portfolio models, giving both extra touches, limited production and a steep price tag.
Having launched the Portfolio label in 2007 with the Super V8, the XJ isn't a stranger to the Portfolio treatment, and the trim changes made for 2009 aren't radically different than previous models. Externally, the 2009 XJ Portfolio sports either Celestial Black or Astral Gold paint, all while riding on 20-inch alloy wheels with a historical Jaguar logo. Inside, the Portfolio adds oak veneer, a leather-and-alloy shifter, embossed headrests, and a leather headliner and door panels. If that's not enough, a "premium" package adds heated and cooled seats, a seven-inch touch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, adaptive cruise control and a dual-screen DVD system.
Mechanically, the XJ Portfolio differs little from a normal XJ, although most - if not all - the option boxes have been ticked. Available with either naturally-aspirated or supercharged versions of the 4.2-liter V-8, the Portfolio comes standard with Jaguar's active suspension system, stability control, and self-leveling air suspension.
For those who could care less about rear-seat passengers, the XKR Portfolio may be the better option. Although it's still powered by the same 420-horsepower 4.2-liter supercharged V-8 as a 'lesser' XKR, Jaguar does add a performance braking system from supplier Alcon. Front discs are now 400mm in diameter and grabbed by six-piston calipers, while the rears do with slightly smaller 350mm discs and four-piston calipers.
Other changes are relegated to mostly trim; the XKR Portfolio comes only in a "Shadow Grey" metallic hue (convertibles sport either gray or black tops); the 20-inch alloys are colored in a similar hue. Inside, the Portfolio adds soft-grain leather with contrasting stiching, a choice of oak veneer or turned aluminum trim, and a 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. Why a car needs speakers made of Kevlar is beyond us, but it's standard fare for the Portfolio.
Although the cars officially launch at March's Geneva Motor Show, both are available for order immediately. Although we don't yet know the exact pricing and production figures for the 2009 Portfolio range, only 147 Super V8 Portfolios made their way to the US, all sporting a pricetag nearly $30,000 more than a normal XJ. If the new models appeal to you, order now - and start saving yesterday.
JAGUAR RELEASE
Jaguar XJ Portfolio Special EditionBuilt in limited numbers to offer new levels of luxury, craftsmanship and exclusivity, the XJ Portfolio is characterized by premium quality materials and exquisite attention to detail.
• Portfolio is a name that defines a series of highly luxurious special edition vehicles from Jaguar. The 2009 MY XJ Portfolio - shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008 - goes on sale in selected markets from Summer 2008
• Lightweight advanced aluminum construction and an acclaimed supercharged V8 engine offer driver-focused dynamic performance
• All XJ Portfolio models come with Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and a self-leveling air suspension to ensure impeccable control and ride
• The unique exterior styling includes Celestial Black or Astral Gold paint colors, bespoke 20-inch Selena alloy wheels with red Jaguar 'Heritage' badge, milled aluminum side power vents, chrome mirror caps and Portfolio trunk lid signature badge
• Inside, the XJ Portfolio comprises a sumptuous blend of luxury and sporting cues with two exclusive interior trim options – Navy with Champagne piping and Navy carpets or Ivory with Navy piping and Navy carpets.
• Other Portfolio interior touches include a cabin trimmed in Rich Oak veneer with Portfolio motif on passenger airbag lid; Navy leather and alloy gearshift with alloy surround; luxury carpet mats with contrast leather edges and Jaguar 'Leaper' logo; embossed Jaguar 'Leaper' logo on headrests; stitched leather door casings; Alston luxury headliner; unique front treadplates with Portfolio script.
• Premium specification includes individually heated and cooled front seats; 7-inch Touch-screen, Jaguar premium sound system and dual-zone climate control systems; Bluetooth® connectivity for up to five separate telephones; JaguarVoiceTM, Adaptive Cruise Control and rear multimedia system with DVD player and twin display screens (depending on market).
Jaguar’s commitment to creating beautiful, fast cars continues with the introduction of the new XJ Portfolio - first revealed on the Super V8 Portfolio special edition in 2005.
Already renowned for its all-aluminum body construction, state-of-the-art technologies and outstanding craftsmanship and build quality, the new XJ Portfolio is now even more desirable thanks to its unique exterior and interior styling cues.
Luxury, elegance and dynamic performance are XJ signatures. The XJ Portfolio adds a host of bespoke design cues and styling features that set it apart. The exterior is painted in either Celestial Black or Astral Gold, with contrasting side power vents in milled aluminum. A distinctive profile is completed by new 20" Selena alloy wheels featuring red Jaguar ‘Heritage’ center badges.
XJ Portfolio's dynamic excellence is underpinned by XJ's all-aluminum monocoque body construction and highly advanced chassis and suspension. Lightness with strength and exceptional rigidity provide a platform for remarkable agility and performance, as well as safety, improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and a self-leveling air suspension ensure impeccable control and a ride that is involving yet composed and refined.
In the U.S., the 2009MY XJ Portfolio is available with Jaguar's highly acclaimed 4.2-liter V8 supercharged (400bhp SAE) or the naturally aspirated V8 engine. In either derivative, the XJ Portfolio offers effortless performance and exceptional refinement.
XJ Portfolio's individuality is further reflected in a luxurious interior characterized by premium quality materials and exquisite attention to detail. The hand-crafted Rich Oak veneer is new to XJ Portfolio, and there is the choice of two unique interior themes – Navy or Ivory. Each features contrast piping to the softgrain leather upholstery, special twin-stitched door casings and headrests embossed with the Jaguar ‘Leaper’ design. The alloy gear selector, with aluminum gearshift surround, is also trimmed with Navy leather, and there are ‘Portfolio’ branded treadplates and special leather-edged carpet mats.
And XJ Portfolio's premium specification includes individually heated and cooled front seats; 7-inch Touch-screen operation of the satellite navigation, Jaguar premium sound and dual-zone climate control systems; Bluetooth® connectivity for up to five separate telephones; JaguarVoiceTM, Adaptive Cruise Control, and rear multimedia system with DVD player and twin display screens (depending on market).
The Jaguar XJ Portfolio is available to order now.
XKR Portfolio Special Edition
The Jaguar XKR Portfolio is an exceptional sports car defined by dramatic beauty and effortless performance. Available as either convertible or coupe, and built in limited numbers, the XKR Portfolio adds highly crafted levels of luxury, premium equipment and exclusivity.
• Portfolio is a name that defines a series of highly luxurious special edition vehicles from Jaguar. Following on from the success of the first XKR Portfolio model launched in 2007, the 2009 MY XKR Portfolio, shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, goes on sale in selected markets from June 2008
• Advanced lightweight aluminum body construction, 420bhp supercharged 4.2 liter V8 engine and six-speed Jaguar Sequential Shift Transmission with paddleshift gear change for driver-focused dynamic performance
• Exterior sporting cues include
o Exclusive Shadow Grey metallic paint color
o 20-inch Selena alloy wheels with a unique shadow finish and red Jaguar 'Heritage' center badge
o A choice of dark grey or black hood colors for the convertible
o Milled aluminum power vents
o Portfolio trunk lid signature badge
o Alcon® R Performance braking system with red calipers - 400mm six-pot front/ 350mm four-pot rear - the largest ever fitted to a production Jaguar• The unique interior specification includes
o Soft-grain, contrast stitched leather to the 16-way seats, instrument panel, center console, door inners, rear side panels and steering – in a choice of either Charcoal with Cranberry twin needle stitching or Ivory with Slate twin needle stitching
o A choice of new Rich Oak veneer or Engine Spin Aluminum fascia finish, the latter with Piano Black instrument panel
o Alloy and leather gear selector and alloy gate surround
o Unique tread plates with Portfolio script and leather edged carpet mats
o Alston luxury headlining
o Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, with 525W Premium audio, featuring low distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and aluminum dome speakers, designed and tuned specifically for XKFollowing the success of the special edition XKR Portfolio last year, Jaguar's design team has created a new XKR Portfolio - available in June 2008 – combining distinctive styling with luxurious interior touches to create a model that is a supreme Grand Tourer with the performance and dynamics of a true sports car.
"The Jaguar XKR epitomizes Jaguar's commitment to creating beautiful, fast cars. The XKR Portfolio has been crafted using exquisite modern materials - from the use of aluminum inside and out to the stylish cabin's soft-grain leather with twin-needle stitching, hand-crafted veneers and luxury Alston headlining," commented Design Director Ian Callum.
Complementing the carefully considered interior, the XKR Portfolio enhances the already powerful sporting styling cues of the XKR with an exclusive Shadow Grey exterior paint and new 20-inch Selena alloy wheels with a unique shadow finish and a red Jaguar 'Heritage' center badge, coupled with Alcon R Performance brakes with red calipers.
Every XKR benefits from its advanced aluminum construction, which ensures that it's striking looks are matched by a dynamic, lightweight chassis. Powered by a 420bhp 4.2 liter V8 supercharged engine, the XKR delivers excellent performance, supremely confident handling and excellent stopping power.
XKR Portfolio's Alcon R Performance braking system is the result of close collaboration between leading brake manufacturer Alcon and Jaguar's engineers who together carried out extensive testing at Jaguar's specialist engineering center, based at the Nurburgring in Germany. Boasting the largest brake discs ever fitted to a production Jaguar – with 400mm front brake discs and powerful six-piston callipers, while at the rear four-piston callipers operate on 350mm discs – the XKR Portfolio's brakes produce fade-free performance time and time again whilst maintaining Jaguar's renowned blend of refinement and stopping power.
A sumptuous blend of luxury and sporting cues further differentiate the XKR Portfolio's interior from the XKR with the choice of a new Rich Oak veneer or Engine Spin Aluminum with Piano Black center console and soft-grain, contrast stitched leather throughout the cabin. An alloy and leather gear selector with alloy surround, unique tread plates with Portfolio script and Alston luxury headlining complete the bespoke feel of the interior.
Taking Jaguar's 525W Premium Audio system with Pro Logic II surround sound as a starting point, Bowers & Wilkins have tuned a signature speaker system specifically for the XKR Portfolio's cabin. High output, low distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminum-dome tweeters deliver superb mid-range and extended high-frequency responses.
The Jaguar XKR Portfolio is available to order now.
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