You get the feeling that as long as there are Jaguars there will always be an England -- the spirit of the country and the car is intertwined and inseparable. Jaguar loyalists may know that the Lexus LS400 is a better car, but don't care . . . in recent years, the gap has become very narrow. Besides, just ask any one which name creates more envy - no contest.

Despite all the refinement and performance of Japanese and German cars, there is something special about the name and tradition of Jaguar. Ford is eager to capitalize on it but has been smart enough not to mess with what works.

A five inch stretch on the XJ8L and Vanden Plas plus a reshaped roof line makes the rear seat more livable. The XJR adds wide 18" wheels, a sports suspension, a competition tuned transmission to complement the killer 370 horsepower supercharged V8. It benefits from the technology developed in the racing Jags.

All normally aspirated engines are matched to ZF's superb 5-speed electronic automatic transmission, which has silky shifting, while the XJR uses a unit built by Mercedes Benz that is stronger and set up for crisper shifts. The eight-cylinder engine has been well-proven in the XK8.

Styling changes are few, mostly in the lighting, but the XJR has a body color grille and trim to accentuate its purposeful direction.

The interior is the biggest styling step forward. It is modern without losing its British style. The seats are more comfortable and switches and gauges are more conveniently placed. The layout reflects the best strengths of Ford, and the tradition and feel of English elegance. Better air-conditioning, improved switches, plus process and management control enhancements bring Coventry closer to Detroit.