Some carmakers are struggling with stuffing, but others give us gravy

2010 Jaguar XJ

After four decades of similar styling, the flagship Jaguar finally gets a fresh look. Of course, Jag sort of let the cat out of the bag last year with the midsize XF, which features much of the design language seen on the XJ. Nevertheless, the XJ looks to be a proper Jag in every way. Exterior distinctions include more piercing front-end features and an all-glass roof with a coupe-like flow. Inside, phosphor blue lighting bathes both new gadgetry (a “virtual” gauge cluster on a digital screen) and old-world charm (an uninterrupted band of wood encircling the cabin). And the latest Leaping Cat should be a serious sprinter: the top-of-the-line 510-hp supercharged V-8 promises to motivate the lightweight, all-aluminum XJ to 60 mph in under five ticks.

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