truly modern, aluminum chassis. So much weight was removed that the "senior" XJ weighed less than the mid-sized S-Type. Buyers still looked at the car and thought it was ancient.

That's when the cat took the quantum leap forward. Not only did the stylists drop just about every traditional Jaguar design cue, they removed the leaper himself from the hood, placing him across the rear of the car. He's no longer leading the car, but he's exactly where every other car on the road will see him: between the taillights.

With the top sedans from the German brands in its sights, the new Jaguar brought everything to the battle. Its new sleek styling seems to stretch on forever. In fact, the long wheelbase edges out the longest Mercedes-Benz in length, measuring just a few inches shorter than the huge Audi A8L. Making the Jaguar look even longer is that it's an inch or more lower to the ground than its rivals.

That low roof places the car only three inches shy of five feet tall. Like many modern cars, the outward appearance of the vehicle forces the passengers to make sacrifices on the inside. High sides and a low roof lead to less glass, which becomes apparent once the doors close. Just as your eyes adjust to a dark room, though, your senses adapt to the confines of the XJL, and it becomes a comfortable ride with relatively few blind spots. A panoramic sunroof also helps open up the cabin.

Push the start button, and the car literally springs to life. With the rev of the engine, a silver knob rises from the console like the lady of the lake handing you Excalibur. Grab and twist to engage the six-speed automatic