Might there be anything more exciting than gripping the heated leather-and-wood steering wheel of one of the world’s finest extended-length luxury sedans, the 2015 Jaguar XJL Portfolio AWD four-door?

As a matter of fact, yes; the topper this week is leaving the Jag curbside at the Colorado Convention Center, walking inside and seeing 500 of the newest and flashiest models available to the motoring public.

The annual Denver Auto Show is in full swing, running from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

It is the biggest car show in the Rocky Mountain region and offers a first peek at many 2016 models, including the Buick Cascada luxury convertible, the redone Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup, Ford Explorer and BMW’s i8 plug-in electric sports car.

To drive the XJL during the week preceding the auto show was excellent timing. Only a year ago, the big sedan was fitted with all-wheel drive for the first time to make it more suitable for year-round use in Colorado. The AWD feature will be spotlighted in the Jaguar section on the show floor.

The Jaguar XJL’s overall length of 206.8 inches is exceeded only by the Audi A8L’s 207.4 inches among luxury sedans. It is slightly longer than the Mercedes-Benz S550 and the Lincoln MKS.

Even at that length, the Jaguar exudes an almost lithe feel, softened by its advanced 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. A very wide turn circle, almost 42 ½ feet, is the price paid for the extreme length. The XJL model has 5 inches of added length over the regular XJ, all of it benefiting the rear-seating area.

Sharing space with the impressive XJL and XJ models for Jaguar at the auto show are lesser-sized XF sedans, F-Type convertibles and coupes and XK convertibles and coupes.

The XJL’s beauty begins with its bold chrome wire mesh grille; the elongated body adds to its sleekness and fastback appearance.

Open the driver’s door, step over an illuminated stainless steel door-sill plate and settle into the soft, perforated leather seating finished in light cirrus mineral with contrasting dark piping. Sure, it will massage your back (an $800 option). Up front are heated and cooled cupholders, with vanity mirrors for the rear-seat passengers and digital heat controls for the rear, also.

Supercharging nets 340 horsepower from the relatively small 3.0-liter V-6 engine, which mates very smoothly with the 8-speed automatic transmission, even when kicking down a couple of gears for testing the highway’s passing lane; midrange torque is strong. Paddle shifters offer increased involvement from the driver; the shifter is a rotary dial in the center console. Shifts can be quickened with use of a dynamic mode, and a winter mode, coupled with the AWD setup, will slow startup acceleration for less spinning of the wheels in snow.

Aided by a run into Denver and back, the XJL averaged 23.8 miles per gallon of premium fuel. The Jag is equipped with a self-leveling rear air suspension.

The all-wheel-drive option, panoramic sunroof, adaptive front lighting and Meridian sound system raised sticker price on the XJL to $87,275.

Look for the big sedan at the car show. See you there.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Jaguar XJL AWD luxury sedan:

• Capacity 5-passenger four-door
• Wheelbase 124.3 inches
• Length 206.8 inches
• Width 74.6 inches
• Height 57.4 inches
• Curb Weight 4,151 pounds
• Track 64 inches front, 63.1 rear
• Ground Clearance 5.6 inches
• Turn Circle 42.3 feet
• Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
• Engine 3.0-liter supercharged V-6
• Horsepower/Torque 340/332
• Transmission 8-speed automatic
• Steering speed-proportional power
• Suspension Air
• Fuel mileage estimate 16/24
• Fuel mileage average 23.8
• Fuel Tank 21.7 gallons, premium
• Wheels 19-inch
• Tires Pirelli P245/45R19 tires
• Cargo Volume 15.2 cubic feet
• Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, 4/50,000 powertrain

Competitors Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic, BMW 740Lxi, Audi A8L, Porsche Panamera, Lexus LS460L AWD,

Assembly Plant Castle Bromwich, England

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 1%, Germany 55%, United Kingdom 35%

Base Price of Lowest Model $75,125; Base Price of Review Model $84,700; Destination Charge $925; Sticker Price $87,275.