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2006 Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio Preview

Modernizing a Classic

Style. Sophistication. Elegance. Excellence. These are the attributes car manufacturers around the world strive to attain when building their range-topping luxury sedans. These are the very same words youll find in thick, glossy brochures and in the favored vocabulary of salesmen, used to leverage the wealthy to drop six-figure sums on a luxurious automobile. And while its true that these words can be applied to any full-size premium sedan, from the aluminum-bodied Audi A8, cyborg-like BMW 7-Series, the ever-popular Mercedes S-Class, and the understated underdog, the Volkswagen Phaeton,

none is

The Super V8 Portfolio, which debuted at this years New York International Auto Show, will be the range-topping XJ, and what Jaguar believes to be the ultimate in modern luxury. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

more deserving than the Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio Sedan.

The Super V8 Portfolio, which debuted at this years New York International Auto Show, will be the range-topping XJ, and what Jaguar believes to be the ultimate in modern luxury. While

While the Portfolio hails from Coventry, England, it has deep connections with New York City. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

the Portfolio hails from Coventry, England, it has deep connections with New York City - the Long Wheelbase variant of the XJ made its world debut at this very same show, last April, as did the Concept Eight, the vehicle which the Portfolio is modeled after. Like its one-off demonstrator, the production Portfolio is akin to the concept in that it raises the bar for luxury, in-car communications and entertainment

The Super V8 Portfolio is built off the long-wheelbase aluminum monocoque chassis of the XJ LWB sedan. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

technology, plus performance-oriented styling.

The Super V8 Portfolio is built off the long-wheelbase aluminum monocoque chassis of the XJ LWB sedan, and it has the same 5-inch longer wheelbase, and 0.28-inch taller overall height. Despite being one of the biggest and roomiest cars in the F-Segment, with almost 40 inches of rear legroom, the XJ LWB is the lightest, weighing in at just 53 pounds more than the standard wheelbase model,

Like all Jaguar R performance models, the Portfolio integrates wire mesh as its grille surface. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

thanks to its innovative aluminum-intensive design. Compared to equivalently equipped rivals, XJ LWB models (including the Portfolio) weigh roughly 222 pounds less, making for a quicker, nimbler and more economical luxury car. More on that later, though.

What sets the Super V8 Portfolio apart from the long-wheelbase Super V8 model are its unique styling cues, influenced by the Concept Eight show car. At rest the Portfolio sits lower to the ground, hunkered down on its contemporary 20-inch Callisto wheels that use the same high-gloss

The distinctive power vents, engraved with the leaping jaguar logo, are long-time features on Jaguar concepts. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

finish and design as the show cars rims. The drop in ride height also promotes a wider, more sporting stance, which is a complete turnaround from the standard Long Wheelbases ordinary, and more conservative, look. Like all Jaguar R performance models, the Portfolio integrates wire mesh as its grille surface, though the casing is chrome, rather than body-color finish, creating a richer appearance overall.

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