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The stunning and stylish cockpit in the new XJ

The chauffeur industry has never been involved in the development of a new luxury car, but now, Jaguar says it has listened to the chauffeur and responded to its needs when designing its brand-new XJ. Paul Gibson takes to the French roads before its launch in the UK in May.

On the official launch in Paris, thechauffeur.com was been given access to the new XJ to see what changes and improvements have been made, which the manufacturer hopes will see it further penetrate the market.

Chauffeurs not only suffered from a severe lack of boot space in the outgoing model, but there were some quality issues which stopped the brand becoming as popular as it hoped.  However, the XJ became a good seller for the private chauffeur sector as loading the boot full of luggage for the traditional airport run just was not possible.

For the first time, Jaguar now has an S-Class contender with its completely redesigned model and from what I have seen so far, it should make most German manufacturers somewhat worried.

The emphasis around our two day launch was very much focused around the chauffeur and the experience of riding in the back. I personally haven’t heard the word ‘chauffeur’ mentioned so many times during the last six years of car launches, so it’s obvious Jaguar are now very serious about the market.

On arrival in Paris, a stunning fleet of highly polished XJ’s and suited chauffeurs awaited us and as we slid into the rear seats, we got a first hand view of what has been achieved in the lengthy design period.

It soon becomes obvious that the outgoing XJ, which has been in the marketplace for many years now, simply lacks charisma. The interior is somewhat bland and it doesn’t really feel as if you are driving the company’s flagship model – and that’s something which has changed massively in the new model.

The driver is now more cocooned into a finer luxury environment and there is much more attention to detail throughout the cabin. The chauffeur now feels more involved in the drive with sharper steering, impressive high-definition 12 inch dash display and beautifully crafted switch gear and controls.

High Definition 12 inch dash display

Being chauffeured through the streets of Paris, the client is again treated to acres of legroom in the long-wheelbase version which offers an extra 134mm of space. There doesn’t seem to be a dramatic change anywhere else in the rear from the current model, which is no bad thing! A panoramic glass roof however does let more light into the cabin and privacy glass and blinds as standard in the LWB version make the rear a more cosy experience.

The waistline of the car is much higher so it does make you feel more closed-off from the outside world. Personally, I feel the air conditioning controls on the back of the centre console should be in the rear armrest, and maybe more body-hugging seats allowing the client to ‘sit in’ rather than ‘sit on’ would make a real difference.

So, has the boot issue been resolved? To a certain extent, yes! Bosses say the car now has 520 litres of boot space which is slightly less than a Mercedes E-Class. But now, there is more workable space thanks to wider wheel arches and it does have more depth.

The 3.0 diesel engine is simply stunning and gives as much performance and economy you could wish for. The V6 power plant offers 275 bhp and more than 40mpg, thanks to the extremely light aluminium structure which was designed and built in Coventry. CO2 emissions have been dramatically but to 184g/km making it 14 per centre more efficient that the outgoing model.

The long wheelbase version of the new XJ starts at £56,685 for the Diesel Luxury model, and goes up to £90,455 for the 5.0 Supersport nutter 510 bhp engine.

The marmite rear of the new XJ

Throughout the Paris launch, it has become obviously that everyone who has worked on the XJ project are passionate about it and have worked extremely hard to make the car stand-out and set itself apart from anything else in the marketplace.

It is going to be a tough year for any manufacturer out there at the moment, especially as we wait to see what is offered with the launch with the new Audi A8 which is waiting in wings.

The details of the revised Chauffeur Programme are still being kept under wraps with just a couple of months before its launch, I personally hope the XJ lives up to all our expectations when the clients start riding in the back.

The third generation of the M Line is for the first time available in Europe is almost five metres long and promises to deliver a powerful, passionately designed alternative to other saloon cars. Launched at the Geneva motor show, it features Active Noise Control, a world-first side collision avoidance system and a state-of-the-art “Forest Air™” climate control.

The M Line is almost 5 metres long

The M Line has been designed and engineered from the beginning to compete in Europe, with European levels of ride and handling and high performance engines. These include a 3.0-litre diesel V6 for the M30d, which boasts exceptional refinement and a Hybrid model is promised for next year.

The new M Line is apparently one of the most spacious five-seaters in the class, as well as possibly the most alluring on the inside thanks to an even higher new standard of interior design and finish.

The luxury emphasis is not at the expense of driver focus which is stronger in the new Infiniti M than ever, with ergonomic excellence the hallmark of an imposing new dashboard. No details have been overlooked; the new M Line even introduces a new generation of switchgear, perfectly matched in weight and feel, and a new version of Infiniti’s signature analogue clock.

All Infiniti M models for Europe are powered by V6 engines, with 320 PS from the 3.7-litre petrol unit, and 238 PS from the new piezo-injection 3.0-litre diesel engine. The M30d has been designed specially for European markets. It is Infiniti’s first diesel and comes with a clear emphasis on sporting performance and luxury car refinement. Its power is a match for single-turbo diesel competitors from Audi, BMW and Mercedes but its torque – 550 Nm is class leading.

Highly crafted interior

Apart from being exceptionally well specified as standard in the Infiniti manner, all models in the M Line range will come with the features, often unavailable in rival models at any price, which have already proven highly valued by European Infiniti owners. Every M Line owner in Europe will benefit from Connectiviti multimedia, self-repairing Scratch-shield paintwork and Infiniti’s Total Ownership Experience.

The vehicles boasts a new multilink rear suspension design, complete with the unusual use of double-piston dampers. The sophisticated shock absorbers deliver a flatter ride with less “head toss” for passengers. Infiniti engineers know this because, again, they used real people to develop it.

Part of the development work involved test cars with different suspension settings being driven over a variety of road surfaces, including speed bumps, while a passenger in the back seat completed a series of hand-writing tests. Readability varied… The end result is a passenger compartment where it is not just possible to write legibly at speed – but also to read, converse or relax without being jostled.

Every Infiniti stands out for the authentic natural materials used in its cabin: real leather, real wood, real aluminium, and real magnesium. For the M Line, the interior designers went a stage further by introducing, for the first time in an automotive application, a silver-powdered finish to the wood panels.

Why silver? Because the team found that, despite the difficulty in applying it, nothing else brought out the full brilliance and depth of the hand-polished grain in the same way. In fact, the full gloss wood in the M is similar in finish to that of the royal walnut panel with oil finish used for centuries in luxury furniture throughout Europe.

As one member of the team behind the silver finish summed up: “Wood used in vehicles is normally considered an industrial product. The wood in the new M Line can be considered an art piece.”

The National Limousine and Chauffeur Association last week announced thousands of businesses could be affected by new rules which could deny operators from registering vehicles with less than nine seats under the PSV regulations.

An emergency meeting to discuss the announcement is to be held near Birmingham on 17th March, and the whole industry is being invited to attend to air their opinions. The NLCA is organising the gathering in an attempt to make the industry heard if the new rules came into effect.

Legislation officer, Bill Bowling told thechauffeur.com; “I am urging every licensed operator to support us and come to the meeting. We urgently need to make the Department for Transport aware of the consequences of this.’

He added; “A very loud public outcry aimed at the government is needed about the number of businesses affected and the removal of operators livelihoods.’

The venue is yet to be confirmed but it is expected to be announced this week.

Picture: A recent NLCA meeting. By Eddie Dillon

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The plans, which have not yet been confirmed by the Traffic Commissioner and DfT, could mean that PSV licenses will no longer be issued for the operation of vehicles with less than nine seats, and those who already do, will be readdressed by the commissioner.

Angered - Bill Bowling from the NLCA

Legislation Officer for the NLCA, Bill Bowling told us; “For years we have campaigned for more, better and specific legislation, and after being consistently refused and told to work within the existing licensing framework, we find that the goal posts have not only moved, but may have been taken off the pitch.”

He added; “I have not as yet received the courtesy of any formal contact from the Traffic Commissioners regarding their statement of intent, despite their own mission statement which states is it committed to being a good partner. As both a stakeholder and the legislation officer for the National Trade Association for limousines, I have not been involved with any of the considerations or decision making process.”

After years of working with VOSA, the Traffic Commissioners and the DfT, Mr Bowling feels the Traffic Commissioners have abdicated their responsibilities on the lines that it is easier to refuse than to sort it out. After a joint stance between VOSA and the NLCA to promote the licensing of limousines, and the past support of the Traffic Commissioners, Bill has expressed his disappointment as he believes the whole panel of Traffic Commissioners have seemed to have ‘withdrawn their support’.

The NLCA will be calling an urgent meeting on 17th March near Birmingham to establish the way forward and every limousine operator in the UK will be invited to attend.

Thechauffeur.com has been unable to confirm the changes with the Department for Transport as yet.

HOW DOES THIS EFFECT YOUR BUSINESS? Tell us what these regulations would mean to your business and its future. We will publish them right here for the world and government organisations to see. Your comments will also help towards the NLCA campaign which has been launched on the back of this news. Email your story to info@thechauffeur.com

The new Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque’s intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore.

The design of the new Mulsanne is a unique fusion of sportiness, coachbuilt elegance and solidity. Echoing the Bentley S -Type of the 1950s, the Mulsanne features a bold frontal design dominated by the traditional Bentley matrix grille and highly prominent, classic round inner headlamps with chrome surrounds, flanked by two, smaller outboard lamp clusters, all featuring the latest in lighting technology. The iconic ‘Flying B’ retractable radiator mascot is available as an option.

The long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang help to convey a sense of power and movement, reinforced by muscular haunches and sharply sculptured lines which flow gracefully from the front wings to the rear. Uniquely designed 20-inch (and optional 21-inch) wheels reinforce the Mulsanne’s powerful, sporting stance.

The body is produced in a new manufacturing facility at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe where traditional metalworking skills, developed over six decades, are still used extensively during the nine-week build process. It is the very opposite of volume-production car-building… but the very epitome of Bentley.

The rear screen, for example is fully enveloped by the coachwork. This provides a flowing, flawless line to the rear of the car, complementing the exquisitely formed D-pillars – whose complex curves can only be created by skilled coach-builders. The complex form of the aluminium front wings, impossible to achieve with normal pressing techniques, is created using superforming, a technology usually reserved for the aerospace industry. This also makes the wings lighter, stiffer and provides superb surface definition. New construction techniques meant the designers could also incorporate details such as the ‘floating’ elliptical LED tail lights, which uniquely echo the shape of the exhaust tailpipes.

To accentuate the beauty of the bodywork, the Mulsanne features ‘brightware’ exclusively in polished stainless steel, including sill treadplates and matrix grilles. Bentley is the only manufacturer in the world to do this.

The door handles incorporate the traditional Bentley ‘knurling’ to their inboard surface for enhanced grip, reflecting the company’s typical attention to detail, while .the sporting character of the Mulsanne is reinforced by front wing vents and wide oval tailpipe finishers.
Bentley customers have a world of infinite choice when commissioning their cars. There are over 100 paint colours in the range that include everything from unusual heritage colours, special satin and pearlescent finishes and duo-tone combinations.  But the choice does not end there. Through the bespoke world of Bentley Mulliner, unique colours can exactly match a customer’s vision and taste.

Sumptuous interior meets advanced technology

The latest in-car technologies are discreetly placed within the Mulsanne’s sumptuous interior. A multimedia system with 60GB hard disc drives satellite navigation, audio/video, personal data, telephone and Bluetooth® connectivity. The upper dashboard houses an 8-inch multimedia screen, positioned unobtrusively behind an electrically operated veneered door, while below sits a stylish, leather-lined media player stowage drawer with connectors for iPod, USB, Mini USB and 3.5mm aux.

A state-of-the-art 14-speaker audio system with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and 6-CD autochanger is provided as standard while the Naim for Bentley premium audio system may be specified as an option. This forging of two British luxury brands provides customers with the world’s most powerful production in-car amplifier with 2200 Watts, eight dedicated DSP modes and 20 custom-made speakers, delivering an unparalleled sound quality.

A personalised keyless entry system allows multiple pre-programmed configurations and automatically sets radio stations, phone book, seat (including ventilation and massage modes, both front and rear), steering column and seatbelt settings and even the electrically operated rear-seat blinds for side and rear windows. The keyless system operates with the chrome door handles which incorporate touch points to initiate communication with the key for verification and entry. The Mulsanne also features keyless start, having a stop/start button on the centre console.

The Bentley interior design team has continued to develop and evolve the luxurious interiors for which their cars are renowned, based on a large-scale, research programme to identify the classic signature features that have defined Bentleys from the 1920s to the present day.

Armed with this invaluable resource, the Mulsanne’s design team set itself highly challenging targets for key interior characteristics such as material design, smell, colour harmony and handcrafting. Similar targets were set for the operational refinement and robustness of all control mechanisms. The result is a hand-crafted interior that fully reflects traditional Bentley values, executed to the highest possible standards.

The use of wood and leather hides has increased significantly to create an even more refined and luxurious cabin. While classic design features such as bulls-eye air vents (now also fitted in the rear compartment), high-quality mirror-matched wood veneers, leather hides and hand-finished stainless steel are retained, they are mixed with new touches such as beautiful ‘glass’ switches.

The entire cabin is encased within a ‘ring of wood’ waistrail with an unbroken panel of wood gracing the Mulsanne’s dashboard. Inverted dial needles within the instrument cluster are evocative of early Bentleys while the entire dashboard and console design is a subtle reminder of the Bentley wings motif.

Customers may select from an extensive range of premium quality veneers, unbleached for a natural appearance, and two marquetry options: picture frame and contemporary crossbanding. True to the Bentley ethos, customers may also select from a virtually unlimited palette of leather hides, including 24 ‘standard’ colours, of which three are new for Bentley. This unrivalled choice of veneers, leather hides and paint colours ensures that the needs of all customers can be matched perfectly.

Following detailed customer feedback, a traditional tanning process has been re-instated to match the rich, worn leather smell that is so evocative of vintage Bentleys. Only a very few hide suppliers worldwide have the capability to do this.

The carpet of the Mulsanne is unique to Bentley, its increased fibre depth, density and feel enhancing cabin quality. It is available in a range of colours to complement each individual hide. Pure wool, deep pile Wilton-weave over mats can add a further touch of comfort and luxury.

These exquisite materials are fashioned by craftsmen and women with up to 40 years’ experience. Each steering wheel, for example, can take 15 hours to hand-stitch while stainless steel brightware gleams so perfectly thanks to an intensive 10-hour finishing process. A wood veneer takes five weeks to turn from a rough root ball into a full set of mirror-matched, fine-polished leaves.

Re-engineered V8 engine and new chassis: power, refinement and efficiency

The Bentley powertrain engineers were set three objectives for the Mulsanne where were to produce the effortless torque from extremely low revs that customers expect of a grand Bentley, to maintain the highest levels of refinement and to satisfy strict current and future environmental standards through improved engine efficiency.

While other powertrain configurations were considered early on in the project, it soon became clear that these targets could best be achieved with a totally revised version of the 6-litre V8 engine – the very configuration that had been used so successfully in the past. However for the new Mulsanne, all the major building blocks of the engine would be comprehensively re-engineered to integrate the very latest technologies.

To achieve a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2. emissions, the Mulsanne V8 sees the introduction of two new control systems: cam phasing and, a first for the ultra-luxury sector, variable displacement.

The pioneering use of these two technologies in combination allows the Mulsanne’s engine management system not only to adjust the V8’s breathing for improved engine idle quality and torque delivery, but also to close the valves of four of the eight cylinders for maximum fuel economy when cruising.

New lightweight componentry including pistons, connecting rods and forged crankshaft reduce reciprocating mass and internal friction for improved engine response.

These new technologies are complemented by the new eight-speed automatic transmission which, for the first time on a flagship Bentley, comes with steering-wheel mounted paddleshift.

Overall, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are reduced by more than 15 percent, in line with Bentley’s environmental commitment.

Prodigious power and torque are complemented by an all-new chassis, unique to the new Mulsanne. Both lighter and stiffer than previous flagship Bentleys, the new chassis benefits both ride and handling.

A new Drive Dynamics Control system, operated by a rotary switch mounted next to the gearshift selector, can be used to choose from three standard modes – Bentley, Sport and Comfort – offering precise calibration of suspension and steering control systems.

A fourth mode, ‘Custom’, allows the driver to select bespoke settings via the multimedia system to ‘tune’ the Mulsanne to a preferred driving style.

A new air suspension system with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) creates an even more refined and comfortable ride at lower speeds, yet can reduce the Mulsanne’s ride height automatically at high speeds to reduce lift and improve aerodynamic stability. With 20-inch alloy wheels and 265/45 ZR 20 tyres as standard, dynamic handling is assured. Customers may also opt for 21-inch wheels, available in two styles, fitted with 265/40 ZR 21 tyres.

While the all-new Bentley Mulsanne pays respect to the past, it is a thoroughly modern luxury car that offers the world’s most exclusive driving experience – a unique fusion of power, refinement and elegance.

Inflationary pressures would have ordinarily justified an overall 1.4 per cent increase on most licence fees, but given the current economic climate, a freeze, and in some places a reduction on fees has been agreed.

The fees to be frozen at 2009 rates include:

·         Taxi driver three year licence fee

·         Taxi annual licence fee

·         Private hire licence application and inspection fee

·         Private hire operator licence application fee

·         Private hire operator five-year licence fee

All funds generated from taxi and private hire fees are used to cover licensing and administration costs. The additional funding generated by an increase in these fees would have been around £261,000 however TfL is confident of being able to make up the difference via efficiency savings instead, including reviewing existing business policies and processes, identifying and reducing waste and ceasing non-business critical activities.

The TfL Board also approved a £10 reduction on the London taxi licence application and inspection fee, bringing it down from £111 to £101. Tied to that will be the introduction of a £50 re-test fee to encourage more taxi drivers and vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are in top condition and pass their annual and on-street or other inspections first time. This is stemmed from a concern at the low first time pass rate, which is currently at 38 per cent and to encourage drivers and owners to ensure the general standard of the vehicle is compliant at all times.

For private hire operators, changes to the fee structure for removing or adding operating centres will also begin from 1 April. The fee payable for removing an operating centre from a private hire vehicle operator’s licence will increase from £25 to £50, and the fee for adding a new centre will increase from £25 to £200. These fees have not risen since 2001 when operator licensing began, and reflect more accurately the significant costs involved in processing the licences.

John Mason, TfL’s Director of Taxi and Private Hire, said: “Every penny that TfL receives from license fees is spent on providing the services we deliver and I am committed to providing the best quality service whilst reducing back office costs. This is why I felt that we should freeze most license fees this year and work hard to find savings instead.

‘’I know that there will be many in the trade that may be wary of the introduction of a taxi re-test fee but we have to do everything we can to increase the first time pass rate and encourage everyone in the trade to do all they can to keep the standard of vehicles maintained at all times. By making these changes those who pass their annual inspection will benefit from a £10 reduction in the current cost and will no longer subsidise those drivers that continually fail. Whilst we expect that over the course of the year the income from taxi vehicle tests will cover the cost of providing the service, if there is any surplus at all then this will be used next year to make further reductions to the test fee.”

In addition to these changes, the one-off Knowledge of London ‘appearance’ fee for Suburban (Yellow badge) taxi driver applicants will increase to £200 to be in line with the fee for All-London (Green badge) applicants.

Are you always chauffeuring at the hectic film premiers, always fighting off the paparazzi or spend all your time looking after an A-lister who just doesn’t play ball? We want to hear from you!

The program would feature you in your everyday work and will give your company and client some great publicity. Tell us your story by email info@thechauffeur.com

A rush of buyers of existing units is now expected following the sale of Hummer to Chinese company Tengzhong collapsed and GM bosses decided to wind down the business.

The controversial gas guzzler has caused a storm within the limousine market over the past six years and dealers in the UK are now making Certificate Of Initial Fitness conversions to make them fully legal to operate.

Danny Cawley from Hummerzine, which carries out the COIF conversions, commented; “It is sad news for both the industry and Hummer lovers. Prices of the current model H2 has been increasing dramatically on the forecourts in the U.S, so I would expect that to continue.”

He added; “There is absolutely nothing to replace it. Later this year, all limos designed to carry more than eight will have to be built to IVA specifications. As far as I know, there isn’t a manufacturer developing a new limousine to meet these requirements, so who knows what the future holds for the market.”

GM will apparently continue to honour Hummer warranties, while providing service support and spare parts to current owners around the world. It could however mean good news for those who already have H2 or H3 limousines in the UK as prices are expected to rise as long as the vehicle remains desirable.

Richard Silvester, Managing Director of HummerHummer, UK’s Hummer specialist told thechauffeur.com; “It is a sad day for GM although on reflection the close of the Hummer brand will in time only increase its following from within its strong, underground fan base.  On a smaller scale I am confident this news will spurn opportunity for Hummer fanatics such as ourselves to help maintain its iconic status and reinvent the brand for any generations to come.”

It is unknown as to what the closure of Hummer will actually mean to the industry, but it is hoped another manufacturer will enter the market over the coming years with a vehicle which creates the demand the H2 generated.