September 4, 2010: The new XJ8 got its first real test with a 700 mile trip home to Pennsylvania. Mid way thru the northbound journey, the odometer showed 57837 miles.

I had driven a total of 485 miles.

I was averaging 30 mpg !

After 602 miles . . .

. . . the average had risen to 30.5 mpg !

At the Plank Rd exit in Altoona, 720 miles . . .

. . . I was still averaging 30.6 mpg !

Sitting in my mom's driveway after 721 miles of driving . . .

. . . I had averaged 30.5 mpg for the trip, which I consider excellent.

September 8, 2010: During my return trip to Georgia, I took this photo sitting at the I-85 exit ramp signal light in Commerce. I had traveled 675 miles.

I was averaging 31.0 mpg !

Sitting in my garage after 706 miles . . .

I had averaged 31.0 mpg for the trip ! This means my 4,000 pound, 300 hp luxury car gets better fuel mileage than my 4-cylinder Chrysler Cirrus "sensible" car. This is wonderful !