Jaguar: XJ News
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Jaguar: XJ News
By Oliver Marriage:
Jaguar is going for the jugular. The all-new seventh-generation XJ is the Coventry firm's most advanced production car ever - although you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. As you can see, the styling is far from revolutionary, while details such as the slatted grille are deliberately designed to hark back to the original XJ of 1968. Take a closer look, though, and the proportions are more in keeping with those of a modern car.
The front overhang is shorter, as is the bonnet, while the windscreen is raked more steeply. Why the evolutionary approach? Simply because that's what customers told the company they wanted. But if the conservative exterior was designed not to alienate existing owners, just how does Jaguar hope to entice people into the newcomer from rival marques? The Leaping Cat needs 'conquest' sales to be a global player and fulfil its aim of selling 30,000 cars worldwide next year, 5,000 of them in the UK. The answer is by tackling criticisms of the previous model - the main one being the lack of interior space.
Taller by 134mm and with more space between the axles than the outgoing long-wheelbase model, the new car is much bigger. Which must also make it heavier, right? Wrong, because the XJ is built of aluminium. That may not sound impressive, but it's a huge undertaking and required a fresh production line, new techniques, massive investment and a fair amount of trial and error. The result is a riveted and glued monocoque that is 40 per cent lighter as well as 60 per cent stiffer than steel. But as chief programme engineer and the man in charge of the XJ project, David Scholes, said: "Buyers won't be bothered that the XJ is made of aluminium, but they will care about the many benefits this brings. The car is faster, more efficient, rides and handles better and is safer as a result of the aluminium construction."
To keep insurance costs and repair bills down, the XJ has a separate bolt-on front end to protect the main structure against serious damage.
It's easier to appreciate the work that's been done from inside, and the rear is the best place to start. Existing owners will scarcely believe the amount of leg and headroom on offer, which is now on a par with most class rivals. Even more remarkably, the boot has grown by 25 per cent to 470 litres.
Yet as with the exterior, conservative design rules inside. Wood and leather dominate, and rightly so, as plastics are not a Jaguar strong point. As for technology, the company wants it to be user-friendly. So the touch-screen sat-nav is simple, the automatic handbrake is a delight to use and the pedals are now electrically adjustable, as are the steering wheel and seats.
Four engines will be available from launch in April. The familiar 240bhp 3.0 V6, borrowed from the X-Type, is the entry-level unit and the XJ6 that uses it is likely to be the big seller. The S-Type lends two V8 powerplants, the 4.2 with 300bhp, and the supercharged version for the XJR with 400bhp. Next year, a V6 diesel is due, together with a long- wheelbase model stretched by a foot.
However, it's the new 3.5-litre unit that Jaguar is happiest with. A shorter stroke version of the 4.2, it produces 262bhp and 345Nm of torque, all delivered through a standard six-speed automatic gearbox. Weighing in at only 1,615kg, the XJ8 3.5 has plenty of punch and sounds fantastic. It's also suitably clean and efficient, returning 26.5mpg on the combined cycle.
It's an effortless cruiser and the set-up is more driver-oriented than you might expect, but without spoiling ride quality. Standard air-suspension means the XJ remains composed, although wind noise from the B-pillars takes the edge off the car's overall refinement.
Jaguar is going for the jugular. The all-new seventh-generation XJ is the Coventry firm's most advanced production car ever - although you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. As you can see, the styling is far from revolutionary, while details such as the slatted grille are deliberately designed to hark back to the original XJ of 1968. Take a closer look, though, and the proportions are more in keeping with those of a modern car.
The front overhang is shorter, as is the bonnet, while the windscreen is raked more steeply. Why the evolutionary approach? Simply because that's what customers told the company they wanted. But if the conservative exterior was designed not to alienate existing owners, just how does Jaguar hope to entice people into the newcomer from rival marques? The Leaping Cat needs 'conquest' sales to be a global player and fulfil its aim of selling 30,000 cars worldwide next year, 5,000 of them in the UK. The answer is by tackling criticisms of the previous model - the main one being the lack of interior space.
Taller by 134mm and with more space between the axles than the outgoing long-wheelbase model, the new car is much bigger. Which must also make it heavier, right? Wrong, because the XJ is built of aluminium. That may not sound impressive, but it's a huge undertaking and required a fresh production line, new techniques, massive investment and a fair amount of trial and error. The result is a riveted and glued monocoque that is 40 per cent lighter as well as 60 per cent stiffer than steel. But as chief programme engineer and the man in charge of the XJ project, David Scholes, said: "Buyers won't be bothered that the XJ is made of aluminium, but they will care about the many benefits this brings. The car is faster, more efficient, rides and handles better and is safer as a result of the aluminium construction."
To keep insurance costs and repair bills down, the XJ has a separate bolt-on front end to protect the main structure against serious damage.
It's easier to appreciate the work that's been done from inside, and the rear is the best place to start. Existing owners will scarcely believe the amount of leg and headroom on offer, which is now on a par with most class rivals. Even more remarkably, the boot has grown by 25 per cent to 470 litres.
Yet as with the exterior, conservative design rules inside. Wood and leather dominate, and rightly so, as plastics are not a Jaguar strong point. As for technology, the company wants it to be user-friendly. So the touch-screen sat-nav is simple, the automatic handbrake is a delight to use and the pedals are now electrically adjustable, as are the steering wheel and seats.
Four engines will be available from launch in April. The familiar 240bhp 3.0 V6, borrowed from the X-Type, is the entry-level unit and the XJ6 that uses it is likely to be the big seller. The S-Type lends two V8 powerplants, the 4.2 with 300bhp, and the supercharged version for the XJR with 400bhp. Next year, a V6 diesel is due, together with a long- wheelbase model stretched by a foot.
However, it's the new 3.5-litre unit that Jaguar is happiest with. A shorter stroke version of the 4.2, it produces 262bhp and 345Nm of torque, all delivered through a standard six-speed automatic gearbox. Weighing in at only 1,615kg, the XJ8 3.5 has plenty of punch and sounds fantastic. It's also suitably clean and efficient, returning 26.5mpg on the combined cycle.
It's an effortless cruiser and the set-up is more driver-oriented than you might expect, but without spoiling ride quality. Standard air-suspension means the XJ remains composed, although wind noise from the B-pillars takes the edge off the car's overall refinement.
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Jaguar’s all-new 2004 XJ
Posted by: kak
Jaguar’s all-new 2004 XJ will set a new benchmark in luxury sedan fuel economy when it goes on sale June 1. According to the latest EPA government fuel figures, the 2004 4.2-liter XJ8 has a best-in-class Highway rating of 28 miles per gallon. That gives the car an outstanding theoretical calculated range of 630 miles - a one-tank trip from New York to Cincinnati, Denver to Kansas City, or a round trip from Chicago to Detroit. With an EPA Combined rating of 22mpg - another ‘best-in-class’ figure - the new XJ8’s real-world touring range on a full tank is still a theoretical 495 miles, the approximate distance of a drive from San Francisco to San Diego.
"This is yet another, compelling example of the weight-saving benefits of the new XJ’s aluminum monocoque construction," said George Ayres, VP of Marketing at Jaguar.
Constructed using lightweight aluminum joined by self-pierce rivets and epoxy adhesive - state-of-the-art techniques learned from the aerospace industry - the new XJ’s body is some 60 percent stiffer yet 40 percent lighter than before. In the XJ8, that translates into an overall weight savings of almost 200 pounds.
Weight savings not only delivers exceptional fuel economy, it also results in lower emissions, more agile handling and truly athletic performance. The new XJ8, for example, accelerates from zero to 60mph in just 6.3 seconds - compared to 6.9 seconds for the previous model.
In the new 2004 supercharged XJR the benefits are even more pronounced. It’s 17mpg City/24mpg Highway EPA rating matches that of the previous, normally-aspirated 2003 XJ8 4.0 - and provides exemption from ‘gas guzzler’ taxation. Against the stopwatch, the XJR can accelerate from standstill to 60mph in a staggering 5.0 seconds.
Three versions of the 2004 Jaguar XJ will be offered in North America. The XJ8 and Vanden Plas models both feature a 4.2-liter 294bhp (SAE) AJ-V8, while the flagship XJR is powered by a 390bhp supercharged AJ-V8. Each engine benefits from being coupled to a new, highly-responsive six-speed ZF automatic transmission.
"With gas prices in the U.S. heading towards record levels, fuel economy - even in luxury cars - is becoming a key buying consideration," adds Ayres.
How the 2004 Jaguar XJ8 compares to its 2003 rivals
Car City Highway Combined
Jaguar XJ8 18 28 22
BMW 745i 18 26 21
Mercedes S430 17 24 20
Lexus LS430 19 25 21
Audi A8 17 25 20
Infiniti Q45 17 23 20
From its beginning as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars, Jaguar Cars has grown to become one of the world’s premier manufacturers of prestigious automobiles. The Jaguar marque continues to stand for an unparalleled heritage and a tradition of elegant style, luxurious comfort, and refined performance.
Today, Jaguar offers a four-model range of luxury sedans and sports cars. The 2003 Jaguar X-TYPE makes the marque accessible to a new segment of customers and is the company’s first all-wheel drive model. The new X-TYPE sports sedan combines a fresh performance spirit with the luxury, craftsmanship and refinement for which Jaguar is renowned, and all for less than $30,000.
The stylish Jaguar S-TYPE debuted in 1999, and brought a mid-size sedan to Jaguar’s model line for the first time in three decades. The full size XJ sedan has been the cornerstone of the marque since 1968 and is the definitive Jaguar. For 2004 the all-new XJ is the most technologically advanced car the company has ever built, using aircraft-style aluminum construction for lightness and strength. Finally, the XK series, including XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles, provides sports car enthusiasts with luxurious sports cars that deliver exhilarating performance.
Jaguar’s all-new 2004 XJ will set a new benchmark in luxury sedan fuel economy when it goes on sale June 1. According to the latest EPA government fuel figures, the 2004 4.2-liter XJ8 has a best-in-class Highway rating of 28 miles per gallon. That gives the car an outstanding theoretical calculated range of 630 miles - a one-tank trip from New York to Cincinnati, Denver to Kansas City, or a round trip from Chicago to Detroit. With an EPA Combined rating of 22mpg - another ‘best-in-class’ figure - the new XJ8’s real-world touring range on a full tank is still a theoretical 495 miles, the approximate distance of a drive from San Francisco to San Diego.
"This is yet another, compelling example of the weight-saving benefits of the new XJ’s aluminum monocoque construction," said George Ayres, VP of Marketing at Jaguar.
Constructed using lightweight aluminum joined by self-pierce rivets and epoxy adhesive - state-of-the-art techniques learned from the aerospace industry - the new XJ’s body is some 60 percent stiffer yet 40 percent lighter than before. In the XJ8, that translates into an overall weight savings of almost 200 pounds.
Weight savings not only delivers exceptional fuel economy, it also results in lower emissions, more agile handling and truly athletic performance. The new XJ8, for example, accelerates from zero to 60mph in just 6.3 seconds - compared to 6.9 seconds for the previous model.
In the new 2004 supercharged XJR the benefits are even more pronounced. It’s 17mpg City/24mpg Highway EPA rating matches that of the previous, normally-aspirated 2003 XJ8 4.0 - and provides exemption from ‘gas guzzler’ taxation. Against the stopwatch, the XJR can accelerate from standstill to 60mph in a staggering 5.0 seconds.
Three versions of the 2004 Jaguar XJ will be offered in North America. The XJ8 and Vanden Plas models both feature a 4.2-liter 294bhp (SAE) AJ-V8, while the flagship XJR is powered by a 390bhp supercharged AJ-V8. Each engine benefits from being coupled to a new, highly-responsive six-speed ZF automatic transmission.
"With gas prices in the U.S. heading towards record levels, fuel economy - even in luxury cars - is becoming a key buying consideration," adds Ayres.
How the 2004 Jaguar XJ8 compares to its 2003 rivals
Car City Highway Combined
Jaguar XJ8 18 28 22
BMW 745i 18 26 21
Mercedes S430 17 24 20
Lexus LS430 19 25 21
Audi A8 17 25 20
Infiniti Q45 17 23 20
From its beginning as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars, Jaguar Cars has grown to become one of the world’s premier manufacturers of prestigious automobiles. The Jaguar marque continues to stand for an unparalleled heritage and a tradition of elegant style, luxurious comfort, and refined performance.
Today, Jaguar offers a four-model range of luxury sedans and sports cars. The 2003 Jaguar X-TYPE makes the marque accessible to a new segment of customers and is the company’s first all-wheel drive model. The new X-TYPE sports sedan combines a fresh performance spirit with the luxury, craftsmanship and refinement for which Jaguar is renowned, and all for less than $30,000.
The stylish Jaguar S-TYPE debuted in 1999, and brought a mid-size sedan to Jaguar’s model line for the first time in three decades. The full size XJ sedan has been the cornerstone of the marque since 1968 and is the definitive Jaguar. For 2004 the all-new XJ is the most technologically advanced car the company has ever built, using aircraft-style aluminum construction for lightness and strength. Finally, the XK series, including XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles, provides sports car enthusiasts with luxurious sports cars that deliver exhilarating performance.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Pa
Originally posted by gavriil
The only problem with this car is that it looks too much like the previous gen car, in my opinion.
The only problem with this car is that it looks too much like the previous gen car, in my opinion.
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Upcoming Jaguar XJ-C Coupe and Convertible
Upcoming Jaguar XJ-C Coupe and Convertible
Rumors and picture
Dear 001,
Is the Jaguar XJ6 Coupe and Convertible about to make a shock comeback in an attempt to boost sales?
Not sure how to tell you this, but I have just been emailed a jpeg photoshop from a pal.
Check it out:
Thing is, that is just what Jaguar is planning - a lighter, two door replacement for the old XJ6 series-2 coupe of the 70's. These guys did it as a joke, but ironically it's so close to Coventry's artists sketches and clay models, it's almost eerie.
Expected to be up to 330lbs (150Kg ) lighter, the two-door, four-seater saloon could also spawn a convertible version (Jaguar never made one originally, just coach builders like Lister, Arden and Vanden Plas did them). The concept is still only being finalised, but influential opinions are being sought on the suitability of such a car, but it is a well known secret in PussyVille (Note from 001: If there is such a town, I may have to move there!) that the aluminum platform is capable of yielding more than just a LWB Daimler (due 2004/2005 incidentally). A convertible XJ-C (as it was originally known) would be a MASSIVE seller in the USA, Jaguars single biggest market, notwithstanding the interest in drop-tops in Europe now.
Comments on that web site state that the car looks cute, but a little boring and too similar to an XJ6, but doh - it's based on an XJ6, what would you expect?
If the car went into production, a huge amount of components, trim and systems could be employed without modification. Similarly, the entire XJ's engine range would be available at little or no cost in engineering terms, just experimentation with suspension settings and brake force distribution required. That would make the STOCK 3.0-litre V6 petrol/gasoline powered car very quick indeed, while an XJ-C (Type-R indeed) would be as fast as some jet airplanes.
Source: AutoSpies
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Weston, FL
Originally posted by Chaptorial
Hmmmm i think the current generations rear is much nicer. This one kind of reminds me of the Mercury Marauder. :thumbsdn:
Hmmmm i think the current generations rear is much nicer. This one kind of reminds me of the Mercury Marauder. :thumbsdn:
I swear I had the same exact thought. I kept looking at the back and thinking "Marauder". Before I read your post.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 638
From: Chicago Burbs
Originally posted by chungkopi
i don't like jag's interior..
i don't like jag's interior..
Really? Damn.
Im picky as hell with interiors and i LOVE the smell and touch of the jaguars interiors! I perfer them over most Benz
__
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
From: Pa
it will look nothing like that....the article is such a crock of shit (but i still appreciate the effort gav!)
I love the part when they say "These guys did it as a joke, but ironically it's so close to Coventry's artists sketches and clay models, it's almost eerie."
Yea, so eerie that a person was able to p-shop a sedan into a coupe....
These people made that pic and then made the stupid story to go w/.
I love the part when they say "These guys did it as a joke, but ironically it's so close to Coventry's artists sketches and clay models, it's almost eerie."
Yea, so eerie that a person was able to p-shop a sedan into a coupe....
These people made that pic and then made the stupid story to go w/.
an adult perspective
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 26
From: York, Pa
Originally posted by blk_coupe
Nice luxury coupe
Nice luxury coupe
and because marquees like Acura are abandoning the Sport Luxury Coupe market, this could be an instant success .... if it were priced right AND didn't contain any Ford pieces!
