Lord's A-leapin': for the sporty and debonair, Jaguar unveils its new XJR.

The season was changing and temperatures were dipping, so I decided to light a fire: I ignited the engine in the Jaguar XJR in my driveway. Almost immediately there was a burst of rain. As I fumbled for the wipers, the moisture-sensing blades kicked in by themselves. This is the kind of indulgence you'll have to get used to if you own the new XJR. Peel me another grape, Charlie.

I let out the engine behind a cornfield, unprepared for the throttle-responsive leap forward. Jaguar boasts that the car races from zero to 60 mph in five seconds, and now I believe it. The driving force is a supercharged version of the precursor XJ8's 4.2-liter V8 engine. The car delivers 390 horsepower at 6,100 rpm. It's a bold, expansive, rear-drive power, announced with an appealing roar.

The engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission made by ZF, the transmission manufacturer of choice for many luxury carmakers. There's the traditional J-gate shifter (shaped like a "J" instead of a straight line), which offers a choice of automatic or manual mode. The J-gate is usually defended as part of Jaguar's DNA, but personally I found it awkward. If they lost it, I'm betting no one would miss it. Just below the shifter, there's a small handle; it's the electronic parking brake that automatically sets and releases as you shift in and out of park.

The interior is a near-perfect exercise in refinement, the lush leather a subtle contrast of cream and putty colors, all double topstitched to reinforce the sensation of quality. Leather trims the center console, wraps around the steering wheel and covers all padded surfaces, including the bottom of the door pockets. With a moon roof that opens and closes with precision, even the headliner is nice to the touch and not overly nappy.

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The walnut finish on the dash and steering wheel is rich in color and silky in feel. Chrome accents, tastefully placed throughout the cabin, offer a flashy foil to the classiness of the wood. To check the time, you need only glance at the fine jeweled clock that anchors the top of the center console. It is a smooth transition to look at the odometer and tach on the classically designed dash, with its long and sweeping console.

Even a Jaguar has to have cup holders, and those in the XJR are simple, spring-loaded and placed well within arm's reach of the driver and the front passenger. Two more in the rear armrest provide ample accommodation for afternoon tea and crumpets. They may lack the entertainment value of armrests that unfold like origami, often found in other luxury models, but that seems like a minor quibble.

Standard on the XJR are 16-way power adjustable seats, one-touch power windows, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control (radar-based cruise that detects the speed and distance of the vehicle ahead and adjusts speed to maintain a safe distance). The entertainment/information package includes a balanced, rich-sounding 320-watt Alpine audio system with both an in-dash CD player and a trunk-mounted changer. DVD is optional; the screens cleverly fit into the front-seat headrests.

The XJR is slightly bigger, and thus more comfortable, than its six predecessors. There's plenty of rear legroom. Even the trunk is larger, offering 16 cubic feet of storage. Self-leveling air suspension and automatic adjusting shock absorbers contribute to the XJR's sporty yet smooth and quiet ride. The car glides over imperfections in the road.

Safety technology is state of the art in the XJR. The car is equipped with big, best-in-the-world Brembo brakes that bring this road jet to a secure stop. Anti-lock braking, brake assist (a system that senses when emergency braking is required and applies full braking power if the driver doesn't), electronic stability and traction control are all standard. So, too, are side airbags for the driver and the front passenger and side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants.

Of course, it's the exterior design that gives the XJR its curbside status. Mercedes and BMW have their own cachet, but the Jag is clearly a standout. Aficionados will be pleased that the new XJ doesn't look substantially different from the old one, despite many changes, including a rakish windshield and more cab-forward design. The horizontal split grille is bookended by quad oval headlights. Atop the shorter front overhang, the company's Jaguar medallion, the Leaper, resides. Horizontal lines, a high belt line and a higher trunk line take you around the car with a deep sense of satisfaction. The body gets a boost from the 15-spoke wheels and 19-inch Pirelli performance tires.

A car like the XJR is a billboard that says, "I'm rich." But the XJR didn't seem to raise too many hackles along my humble routes. The crew at my village recycling center couldn't hold back their questions and requests to see the interior. I wouldn't have missed their remarks for the world. "There's no rust on that baby," one of them said. "No sir," I replied. "She's aluminum."

In fact, aluminum is the reason this Jag is lighter and is 60 percent stiffer than its predecessor. The car has lost 200 pounds from the previous model through the use of aluminum on the body panels and frame and in the engine. The lighter weight allows for better, if still modest, gas mileage: 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. The body panels are riveted to the hull and secured with epoxy, allowing a bolt-off, bolt-on process for crash repairs--a big concern with aluminum. The increased stiffness that results from the construction makes for a supple, sporty automobile and one of the safest around. The handling is wonderful; the car corners well and blows down a straightaway.

All this luxury comes at a price: $74,995 with destination charge, not including options. In addition to the XJR, the XJ comes in two other models, the XJ8 and the Vanden Plas. All are built on the same wheelbase and come with a 4.2-liter twin-cam V8 rated at 294 horsepower. The XJ8, at $59,330, is the base model. The Vanden Plas, at $68,330, adds extra luxury touches, such as softer leather seats, and rugs instead of carpets. Sure, the XJR has its competitors, namely the Mercedes Benz S Class, the BMW 7 series and the Audi A8. But the combination of elegance and sportiness makes the Jaguar more than up to the test.

RELATED ARTICLE: 2004 Jaguar XJR

* 4.2-liter V8 engine

* 390 hp @ 6,100 rpm

* Rear-wheel drive

* Price, including destination charge: $74,995