BMW at Cutting Edge With Its 5 Series; Jaguar XJ8 Supremely Put-Together Car by Karl Ferguson The corner was long and sweeping, nicely cambered with a slight rise as it turned into a narrow, straight road. It was nothing specialótypical of the many roads I had been driving on all afternoon, but definitely the perfect setting to get to grips with BMWís new 530i sedan, part of its 5 series. Mid-corner, the warning message on the iDrive display unit took me by surprise: "Loss of tire pressureóstop vehicle immediately," which of course I did, even though I usually notice a flat tire and nothing felt out of the ordinary. Subsequent kicking of the tires and walking around the car had me scratching my head. None of the tires looked flat, so I got back in the car to see if the iDrive message was mistaken. The message continued, "If your vehicle is equipped with run-flat tire technology Ö do nothing." Sure enough it was, and so I followed the simple advice. The iDrive unit advised not to drive more than 45 mph and, depending on a few factors, such as passenger numbers, to not drive for more than a few hundred miles before changing the tire. For new BMW owners, the days of getting your hands dirty changing a tire are clearly over. In case you hadnít noticed, BMW is at the cutting edge of advanced technology in its vehicles. This new approach was heralded with the controversial 7 series, and the 5 series picks up where the 7 left off. The problem with anything radically new is that it tends to polarize opinion. Some will appreciate this bold new technological approach while others will look fondly on the previous, more conservative 5 series and ask simply, "If it wasnít broke, why the need to fix it?" That quite likely explains why the new Jaguar XJ8 sedanówhich is arguably as technologically advanced as the 5 seriesólooks slightly different from its predecessor. It would appear Jaguar is banking on the appeal that its more conservatively styled car will have with its well-heeled clientele. The styling differences are obvious. The BMW 5 series carries over elements of the 7, such as the raised hood and revised yet distinctive headlights, but the end result is arguably a more cohesive design than its bigger sibling. Where the 7 series can look vaguely ponderous, the 5 looks agile and purposeful. In contrast, the new XJ8 looks like the previous XJóif just a little pudgier. It is taller and broader, as if it needed filling out. Despite the increase in proportions, the car hasnít lost any of its elegance or poise. In fact, at first glance, you might even conclude that not a great deal has changed, but you would be wrong. The new XJ hides its most distinctive feature just below the paintworkónamely its aluminum bodywork. Jaguarís press material claims the XJ is the first luxury sedan ever built within a monocoque structure made entirely of aluminum, using rivet-bonding technology found in the latest aerospace construction technologies. Jaguar says this makes the car both lightweightóa comparatively modest 3,765 poundsóyet enormously strong with improved fuel efficiency. For many drivers, styling will be secondary to how the vehicle performs, and in that regard, neither marque will disappoint. The smaller BMW handles extremely well, as you might expect. It takes to tight and twisty roads like a duck to water, turning crisply with barely a hint of over-steer and holding the chosen line long after most cars would have given up. The levels of grip and road holding are outstanding. The steering is highly communicative, making for an entertaining drive. And for those who get a bit too enthusiastic on the road, BMWís excellent dynamic stability control (DSC) traction system is always on hand to help prevent catastrophes. Much of the success to this driving package lies in the inclusion of new technology, namely active steering and active roll stabilization. In essence, active steering is designed to adapt to the driving situation, producing a greater or smaller steering angle as dictated by the vehicleís speed. What this means in practice is that the steering is effectively sped up depending on the speed of the vehicle. Itís great for parking and three-point turns, but is equally manageable at higher speeds. The active roll stabilization suspension system minimizes body roll in bends by using active stabilizers on the front and rear axles. The system keeps the car very flat in corners, making it more agile but also more comfortableóall the better for driving quickly over demanding hills. Not that the bigger Jaguar is any slouch in this department. Itís only marginally heavier than the BMW, and this shows. Even around town, where the old model felt heavy and ponderous, the new XJ feels lithe and taut by comparison. But the car truly comes into its own on the open road. The big cat is agile and responsive, turning nicely around corners. Around tight bends, the nose tends to go slightly wide with a hint of under-steer. And although the vehicle doesnít shrink around the driver in the same way that the BMW does, it still makes for a very rewarding drive. Feedback through the beautifully crafted leather and wood steering wheel is excellent, especially for a car with such luxurious aspirations. Increased stiffness is also a definite plus. (Jaguar claims itís a 60 percent improvement over its predecessor). There are no creaks or groans throughout the cabin, which must come as a relief to longtime Jag fans. The steering is a smidge too light in my opinion, but thatís probably reflective of the expectations of the average Jaguar buyer. There are no disappointments under the bonnet either. The base model comes equipped with Jaguarís superlative 4.2-liter V8 engine, which develops 294 horsepower and 303 pound-feet of torque. In truth, the big cat feels somewhat leisurely under a modest throttle, but grind the accelerator and it gathers a quick start. Jaguar claims the new XJ can reach 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is probably a little ambitious, although 7 seconds is certainly achievableóno mean feat for a car this size. For dedicated power worshippers, the supercharged XJR model adds further horsepower to the output numbers. The BMW 530i that I tested makes do with a 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine that develops 225 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 214 pound-feet of torqueóalthough a 4.4-liter V8 engine is also available. Even so, itís still very quick. BMW claims it reaches 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds or similar performance in a straight line to the Jaguar. From a luxury equipment point of view, little separated the two test cars. For starters, the BMW boasts first-rate leather, electric everything, and a top-notch stereo. Air bags galore and pretty much every other safety device thought of so far are also standard. The auto windscreen wipers were frighteningly precise, in effect providing a useful summary of the carís philosophy: "I do everything, and I do it better than all of my rivals." The iDriveórun by a joystick controller between the seats that the driver uses to control functions such as temperature control on a dash-mounted LCD displayóis still not exactly intuitive. Nevertheless, most of the functions can be operated separate from the iDrive, so itís a personal choice as to whether you want to use it or not. Even with all of this equipment, the options list is extensive. Throw in the smooth and silky six-speed gearbox and the BMW is practically unstoppable. If youíre considering a manual, think again. This transmission is great, and even the excellent pseudo-manual "steptronic" system is somewhat redundant. The most enthusiastic drivers will likely opt for exclusive use of the full automatic transmission after a couple of spirited drives. Interestingly, when in manual mode, the box resets itself into second gear rather than first gear for takeoff. However, I found the automatic downshifts when descending inclines a little intrusive. Whereas the BMWís interior is driven by function, the interior of the Jaguar still has the presence and feel of a gentlemanís club from the early 20th century. The leather is soft and supple while the high dash trimmed in polished burr walnut is exactly what you would expect in a Jaguar. Ergonomically, it works well too. The large instrument dials are easy to read, and the secondary switches are easy to navigate. The front and rear seats are both exceptionally comfortable, and for once, there is more than ample head and leg room, although some may find the intimateness of the cabin a little claustrophobic, preferring the more generous space of the BMW. The analog clock is also a nice touch. Equipment on the Jaguar largely mirrors that of the BMW, but depending on the model, can increase substantially. A warm weather package, for example, adds four-zone automatic climate control with rear controls plus side rear manual sunscreens. Whereas the 5 seriesí transmi ssion hits the mark, the XJ excels with a first-rate ride thanks to a clever electronically controlled, self-leveling air suspension, which automatically lowers the car at every speed to improve stability and aerodynamics and keeps the car level regardless of passengers or weight distribution. More important, it does an excellent job of soaking up the bumps for a truly sublime ride, although speed bumps seem to occasionally get the better of the system. Of course, when youíre looking for luxury, you should expect to have to pay for it. Base price for the Jaguar XJ8 is $59,330, topping off with the fully laden Vanden Plas model at $78,030 (not including the XJR model). The BMW is a little less expensive but could hardly be described as cheap, with a starting price of $44,995. Adding equipment such as the sport package ($3,300) and premium package, which includes leather seats and wood trim ($2,400), can easily swell the price by as much as $10,000. So which vehicle makes for the more convincing executive sedan? It has to be said that the new 5 series will not appeal to everyone. The styling will not be to everyoneís taste, nor will the firm, sporty ride, and itís possible that the technology will discourage as many punters as it attracts, although BMW says the 7 series is selling well in spite of its controversial design. Whichever side of the fence you may be on, there is no doubt that BMWís overriding philosophy is to incorporate usable technology to make its vehicles as cutting edge as possible. With the XJ8, Jaguar has opted to take the middle ground. On the one hand, the vehicle feels thoroughly modern, incorporating technology and state-of-the-art features to make for a supremely put-together car. On the other hand, it has all the charm, personality and luxury that made people want to buy Jaguars in the first place. Ultimately, price may be a substantial factor in any decision, and in that in regard, BMW has a clear advantage. But if pure luxury is your aim and you prefer the traditional over the contemporary, you canít look past the Jaguar. Karl Ferguson is the automotive reviewer for The Washington Diplomat.