Jaguar XJ Ultimate Released In China

With skyrocketing numbers of the super-wealthy, China is already one of the most - if not THE most - lucrative market for the world's luxury car makers.

Not one to miss out on the party, Jaguar has debuted its own uber-luxurious variant for the Chinese market, the XJ Ultimate.

Launched at this week's Beijing Motor Show, the Jaguar XJ Ultimate takes Jag's long-wheelbase limousine and adds a significant amount of creature comforts and custom trimmings.

The rear seats are individually reclinable, separated by a tall centre console. Housed within that console is a champagne chiller, controls for the 20-speaker Meridian surround sound system and motorised fold-down tables.

For entertainment, located in the backrest of the front seats are integrated LCD screens for the on-board DVD/TV tuner, as well as a pair of iPads and keyboards.

Bespoke Herringbone wood veneer trim has been applied throughout the cabin, along with pieces of machined aluminium. LED cabin lighting also produces a more upmarket ambience.

Outside, the XJ Ultimate wears a subtly restyled front bumper and 20-inch wheels with an Ultimate-specific spoke design.

Although it's clearly pitched at the increasing numbers of Chinese nouveau-riche, the Jaguar XJ Ultimate will also be offered the United States - albeit only in limited numbers (30 cars for the USA), and only in black.

Chinese customers will be treated to a wider palette, including the vibrant white shown here.

The XJ Ultimate is one of the first products to be launched by Jaguar Land Rover's new Engineered To Order (ETO) division.

The ETO division takes regular Jaguars and Range Rovers and tweaks them to add either more luxury, improved aesthetic appeal or more performance - or all three.

Besides the XJ Ultimate, the ETO division has also debuted the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition at the Beijing show, which was designed in collaboration with former pop starlet Victoria Beckham.

Previously, the ETO division also had a hand in the development of the Jaguar XKR-S and the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate.