I will never forget the first time I drove at over 100 MPH (miles) when I was 17. The image of the Jaguar has ever since been firmly imprinted on my mind. But that was in the good old days before Audi and BMW were on the scene and when Rolls and Mercedes meant wealth. Jaguar’s leaping cat has always been an icon sporty performance. Though Jaguar had a very considerable racing pedigree the chequered flag had also been marked by a very chequered history. Beginning life in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company, it was acquired turn by turn by British Motorcar Company, British Leyland and Ford, before Tata Motors took over in 2008. Then, contrary to all the prophets of doom it blossomed with impressive sales in UK, USA, Japan and Europe. From its first showroom in Mumbai, Jag saloons are sold through nine JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) showrooms around the country.
The range consists of a compact XF model, a bigger XK model and the prestige XJ that compares with a Mercedes S Classe saloon. All three models, with their exquisite curvy lines, dramatic grilles and slinky eyed LCD headlights are a delight to behold. Their dramatic looks also please the owners giving them a more sporty and elegant image than almost any other saloon. Needless to say they are powered by a range of brilliant engines capable of blinding acceleration, fuel efficiency and silky quietness. Going from zero to 100 kmph in six seconds may not turn on a business magnate, but it will make him happy to have power on the road as well as in the boardroom. A sporty silhouette may mean a slightly lower roof line to make the insides a mite less roomy, than some competitors, but it will be no great sacrifice. It is as tasteful on the insides loaded with more modern gadgets than one needs to enumerate. Jags are not cheap and the three saloons are priced in the range of `50 lakh, `77 lakh and `90 lakh, but these prices can vary considerably according to the huge number of optional extras that a buyer may want.
Though the cars had been admired some potential buyers were understandably concerned about service and spare parts support. All modern cars are very reliable and normally cost very little to maintain but the cost of headlights, taillights and simple painting are very considerable for all prestige cars. Now that the cars have been selling quite well over the past three years these worries should no longer be a problem. A Jag is definitely the choice for those who want to show that they are both rich and sporty.
The writer is an automotive expert and the former editor of a national magazine