OLD-SCHOOL XJ GETS NEW-TECH SAFETY

Design and dynamics: that’s what Jaguar seems to get right, every time

As well as the move to electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), and the features that you can fit as a result of that, the latest XJ gets a raft of active safety systems.

With EPAS comes an opportunity to have a semi-autonomous parking assist system, as well as lane keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control can take you to and from a standstill and read road signs ahead to match speed limits as you go. However, if you’ve seen how often it misunderstands or misreads the posted speed limit, despite comparing it with GPS data, I doubt you’ll use it that often. Exterior sensors can also watch for traffic crossing behind you when reversing, and front side-facing cameras let you look left and right out of blind junctions.

None of which, on the XJR, you’ll trouble as much as you will the traction control.