Whoosh! That’s what I love about supercharged Jaguars, and the Super V8 possesses plenty of whoosh. Stomp the gas, and the car flings itself forward with grace, the rear wheels barely able to retain grip on the pavement. Seamlessly delivered, the sheer power thrusts the Super V8 forward with thunderous alacrity. It is an experience not to be missed, though I could do without the touchy brake pedal and unpredictable automatic transmission.

What I love about all Jaguars is the delectable design, the way the elegant bodywork bends into sensuous curves that inspire lust. The Super V8 is based upon the XJ8 long-wheelbase body, and the stretched coachwork is scarcely evident. Until the Mercedes-Benz CLS arrived to spoil Jaguar’s party, this Super V8 was surely the most attractive luxury sedan on sale.

Inside, the Super V8 is all piped-leather and glossy wood trim, accented by chrome bits and pieces and sketchy climate and radio ergonomics. This cabin represents classic Jaguar at its best, blended with modern technology like navigation and entertainment systems. Rear occupants get the best seats in the house, facing drop-down seatback trays and individual LCD screens built into the backs of the front headrests.

As much as I love driving the XJ Super V8, I don’t find the car to be terribly comfortable. The seats are fine, but the driving position is uncomfortable. The shape of the floorboard, the position of the steering wheel, and the placement of the accelerator pedal all force me to hold my right leg at an awkward angle with my knee wedged between the wide center console and the wood-rimmed steering wheel. Plus, both the footwells and the doorway are tight, forcing me to plop into and climb out of the Super V8.

Nevertheless, the Jaguar Super V8 is among the most appealing luxury sedans at any price. And at $90,000, it actually strikes me as somewhat of a bargain. – Christian J. Wardlaw

Photos courtesy of Jaguar