For centuries, the Holy Grail of luxury car sales was somehow blend sumptuous richness with sleek high-tech sport. But rarely are the fruits of almost all these perfect compromise. For example, when attempting this blend, very sporty luxury cars tend to look artificial well, if they are trying to traditional Olde-world at the same time. Equally plush limousines for trying almost every type of sporting fairness.

One of the few cars that is probably ripped this mix with the deep authenticity of the flagship luxury Jaguar, the XJ8.

These big sedans are at the base XJ8 XJR and hottest models offered on a wheelbase of 119 inches or XJ8 L, Vanden Plas and Super V8 versions, with a wheelbase of 124 cm. All are powered by a 4.2-liter V8. It makes 300 hp XJ8, XJ8 L and Vanden Plas or 400 hp supercharged XJR and the Super V8. A 6-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission available.

We recently had the opportunity, one week to one XJ8 L, an experience that we really enjoyed testing from beginning to end. In fact, if you park in your driveway all XJ8, you immediately feel even stand up straight, square shoulders, feeling the world looks at you with envy.

And this feeling is not limited to the outside. The elevated mood permeates XJ8 car. Pulling the door handle heavy chrome interior reveals a generously wrapped in a quality leather. This is complemented by robust deep, dark polished wood and a touch of tasteful chrome accents.

Receive much of the leather and wood, the instrument panel, which is basically faithful to the traditional philosophy Jaguars – Bio-style, basic round gauges and a minimum of gadgets.

But if we are “minimum” of gadgets, which does not mean, say there is no substance in the electronic grand XJ8. The center of the dashboard is a multi-function display for audio, navigation and climate control systems integration dominates. This screen will be surrounded by two rows of buttons, they run. The configuration looks intimidating at first, but simplifies the layout of the devices actually operate, so that the most commonly used features of its own dedicated controller, instead of doing on the touch screen as many hidden menus of such systems.

The seats are comfortable support and reinforce the driver got a job that is easily adapted to handle effective control. Front and rear headroom is more than enough even for large occupants. But the actual treatment of the XJ long wheelbase is the generous legroom. Unless you are one of the NBA players are lankier, there’s a good chance your feet are not even remotely a part of the front seat – very refreshing.

The motor rotates with a pleasant tone is deep and strong, but flexible and sophisticated. It carries the personality beyond its describes precisely the delivery of the V8 engine over the entire operating range. While the naturally aspirated version does not strain your neck is moved with the stamp of his excellent compressor XJR and Super V8 sibling, the base engine, the car is still far from a decision with satisfaction, ease clear.

As powerful as this engine typical urban and suburban driving, it is on the highway between the really his element. Cruising along at 60 mph or more, the XJ8 V8 installed in the Lope effort to disappear into the background far below the level of the conversation. Then with a quick jumps per throttle it into action, let a grunt and swagger to move many muscles.

This is achieved by the automatic transmission, with SWIFT, downshifting appropriate, work easier, especially in its Sport mode. The driver can choose between manual control over the standard Jaguar J-gate shifter, which provides a second door to move the gear selector, with scores for each course.

However, decades-old Jaguar J-gate design has almost always received warm reviews, and this incarnation of the design is not likely to change that reputation. We give him an “A” for effort but a “C-plus” for the execution. The model has long been awkward second gear shift all the way forward, scores with easy to overlook offers a touch vague indication of where you are less in the process.

But that’s pretty much the only really unsatisfactory experience XJ8. And it does nothing to one side of the car the most pleasant undermine – his way. Flexible and feel heavy on virtually any type of soil, the XJ8 L offers a tranquil setting for even the longest journey.

In large cars like this as an extreme isolation of the road is often sloppy in handling – the soft suspension of the rules used to indulge such a personality are rather boring answer. And rigid construction necessary to be able to handle a car big machines like the XJ8 massively heavy, handling and even degrading.

But the construction of the XJ lightweight aluminum allows the car to an end run around such trends drive to do. The car responds to driver input, with a clarity that is surprising for such a big car. Lean body is well controlled and the grip is more than enough for some work in the corners very fast.

In addition, a manipulation of the XJ has a real soul. The steering is light, but it weighs up nicely as cornering loads increase to light. And the sensations are felt by the wheel smooth and refined, it offers good road feel fairly aggressive corner entry.

These are features refreshing to find in a luxury car. Piloting an XJ, you do not feel the pain of uncertainty, such as a difficult group of curves approach and begin to make decisions about the route and speed input. You can stay calm in the XJ – you feel that you have lots of good information about what to do let the tires.

But that’s not really surprising when you think about it. Almost everything about a project that unmistakable air of confidence XJ. Like the previous generation XJ decades, this latest iteration of Jaguar’s flagship never wavered in its authenticity. It is the ideal soft-yet-sports car manufacturer, that have always wanted to be modern.