Jaguar XJ

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{{Infobox Automobile |image=Image:SuperV8.jpg |name=Jaguar XJ
XJ6, XJ8, XJ12, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8 |manufacturer=Ford Motor Company |production=1968–present |class=Luxury car |body_style=FR 4-door saloon |similar=Audi A8
Lincoln Town Car }} The Jaguar XJ is a saloon produced by Jaguar, launched in 1968. It was the last Jaguar saloon to have had the input of Sir William Lyons, the company's founder.

Mk 1 (Series 1)

{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=Series I |aka=XJ6, XJ12 |production=1968–1973
82126 produced |predecessor=Jaguar S-Type |engine=2.8 L XK I6
4.2 L XK I6
5.3 L Jaguar V12 }} At the time, the XJ6, using 2.8 L (2790 cc/170 in³) and 4.2 L (4235 cc/258 in³) versions of Jaguar's renowned XK engine, replaced most of Jaguar's saloons, which, in the 1960s, had expanded to four separate ranges. The upmarket version was marketed under the Daimler brand and called the Daimler Sovereign. The 'XJ' designation was from the car's code name during development, standing for Experimental Jaguar.

The car was introduced in September, 1968, in a series of television advertisements featuring Sir William. In these spots, he memorably referred to the car as "the finest Jaguar ever." The XJ12 version, with a 5.3 L V12 engine, was launched in 1972, with just 3,235 built.

1973 Mk 1 (Series 2)

{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=Series II |aka=XJ6, XJ12 |production=1973–1979
91,227 produced |engine=2.8 L XK I6
3.4 L XK I6
4.2 L XK I6
5.3 L Jaguar V12 }} Normally known simply as the "Series II" the XJ line was facelifted for 1973. A 3.4 L (3442 cc/210 in³) version of the XK engine was new in 1975.

The XJ12 version, with a 5.3 L V12 engine, was again part of the lineup along with long-wheelbase models and a coupé, now considered a collector's item due to its rarity. The top 12-cylinder Daimler was called the Double Six. The Series II launched in the 1974 model year in the United States.

These Series II models were known for their poor build quality while part of the British Leyland group as well as problems inherent in the design of certain Lucas-sourced components. On television, the Jaguar XJ Series II was immortalized in the TV show Minder.

Visually, apart from the longer wheelbase and available "XJ12" badge, the Series II cars are differentiated by a smaller grille. 91,227 were produced, just 14,226 of them with the V12 engine, when the series II ended in 1979.

XJ Coupe

A tiny 8,378-car run of 2-door XJ coupes with a pillarless hardtop body was built in 1976 and 1977. Both six and twelve-cylinder models were built, 6,505 of the former and 1,873 of the latter. These cars suffered from wind noise and, especially in the case of the V12, high fuel consumption.

Due to the rough welds around the windows of the roof, all coupes came with vinyl roofs as standard.

1979 Mk 1 (Series 3)

{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=Series III |aka=XJ6, XJ12, Vanden Plas |production=1979–1989
132,952 produced |engine=3.4 L XK I6
4.2 L XK I6
5.3 L Jaguar V12 }} In late 1979 the XJ was facelifted again, and was generally know as the "Series III". The car incorporated a subtle, and very well received, redesign by Pininfarina of the long-wheelbase platform and three engine variants including the 5.3L V12, the 4.2L inline 6 and 3.4L inline 6. The V12 and the larger 6 cyl. incorporated Lucas licensed Bosch fuel injection while the smaller 6 cyl. made do with carburetors. The smaller 6 cyl. engine wasn't offered in the U.S. The short wheelbase sedan and coupé had been dropped during the final years of the Series II XJ. This style of Jaguar saw the company through from its darkest days toward its emergence as an independent company under John Egan who oversaw a marked improvement in build-quality and reliability for the company's products.

In 1982 the interior of the XJ underwent a minor update. Also in 1982, the upscale Vanden Plas, a model designation that is still used today for the top-level XJ sedan, was introduced in the U.S. market.

The last Series III XJ with a six-cylinder engine was produced in 1987. Production of the Series III XJ continued until the early 1990's with the V12 engine. 132,952 Series III cars were built, 10,500 with the V12 engine.

Mk 2 (XJ40)

All through the 1970s, Jaguar had run Project XJ40, which was an all-new model meant to replace the Mk 1 XJ6. Due to problems at British Leyland and the fuel crisis, the car was continually delayed. Proposals from Jaguar's in-house designers and Pininfarina were made. Eventually, it was decided an internal design would be carried through to production.

This car was finally released in October 1986 with controversial square headlamps, a carryover from the 1970s development. It was considered more evolutionary than revolutionary, and had to fight off a new competitor: the newly upsized BMW 7 Series. While the British press favoured the Jaguar, the XJ40 tended to lose comparison tests run by German publications. Only six-cylinder models were initially offered: a 2.9 L (in Europe) and a 3.6 L. The V12 (XJ12) and a long wheelbase model, including a high-roofed Daimler Majestic model destined for official use (one was used by the British prime minister), were again delayed, launching at the very end of the XJ40's life.

The single cam 2.9 L straight-6 engine found in Europe was a derivative of Jaguar's legendary 6.0 L V12 HE, but it proved to be underpowered and thirsty compared to the 3.6. L Timing chain failures were also a problem. The engine was later replaced with the 3.2 L, based on the durable 3.6 L, which then became the 4.0 L.

1989 Mk 2 (XJ40)

Details to appear shortly

1994 Mk 2 (X300)

{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=X300 |aka=XJ6, XJ12, Vanden Plas, XJR |image=Image:Jaguar XJ6 1995.jpg |production=1994–1997 |engine=4.0 L XK I6
6.0 L Jaguar V12 }} By the late 1980s Ford had become Jaguar's owner, and with an all-new replacement still years away, Ford ordered the XJ40 to be facelifted and "retrolutionized", reintroducing the style of the popular Series 3. The X300, as it was known, was redesigned by head designer Geoff Lawson and was launched as the XJ6 and XJ12 for the 1995 model year.

In addition, a supercharged version of the straight-6 was offered and badged as the XJR. This was the first supercharged Jaguar in the company's history and only the second car Jaguar ever made that used forced induction — apart from the extremely rare and expensive Jaguar XJ220.

The center section (namely the doors and glass area) was shared with the original Mk 2 (XJ40) but the X300 saw the XJ6 revert back to a traditional fluted bonnet and 4 individual headlights. The front and rear wings, bumpers and bootlid were also redesigned. The interior remained more or less the same as before. The engines were basically the same 3.2 litre and 4.0 litre units found in the XJ40, but were mildy revised to further increase power and refinement. It was this generation that saw continued improvement in build quality.

1998 was the final year of production for the XJ6 and XJ12. Jaguar switched exclusively to an all-new V8 engine when the XJ8 was introduced in 1998. The last Jaguar to be powered by a V12 engine was a black XJ12 that left the production line on April 17, 1997. It now resides in the Jaguar Museum. Only 3,400 XJ12s were produced in the X300 body style, making it rarer than V12 rivals such as the BMW 750iL and Mercedes-Benz S600. The XJ12 was visibly differentiated from the XJ6 not only by a badge on the rear deck lid, but also by a "V12" badge on each side of the central pillar.

1998 Mk 2 (X308)

{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=X308 |aka=XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR |image=Image:1999 Jaguar XJ8.jpg |production=1997–2002 |engine=4.0 L AJ-V8 V8 }} 1998 saw the Mk 2 XJ revised for a final time, and this time the car (known as X308) had changed more over the X300 than the X300 did over the XJ40. The exterior styling was mildly revised, the only real notable change being the new front oval indicators, grille and front bumper.

The biggest changes lay under the bonnet and inside. An all-new, and hugely praised, V8 engine was introduced and was available in 3.2 litre, 4.0 litre and 4.0 litre supercharged versions. The new 8-cylinder engines, built in Bridgend, Wales, not only saw the end of 6-cylinder and 12-cylinder power, but the legendary XJ6 monkier was no more; the naturally aspirated-engined cars were now called XJ8. The new performance figures were 290 Bhp and 240 Bhp for the naturally aspirated 4.0 litre and 3.2 litre versions respectively and 370 hp (276 kW) for the supercharged (compressor) version.

The interior was changed greatly, featuring an all-new dashboard. However, the basic car was now 12 years old and some now considered the limited legroom for rear passengers, which was an issue back in 1986, to now be a real Achilles' heel, especially when compared to competing models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Nonethless, many overlooked this issue, citing the continued Jaguarness and Britishness of the new interior as a more preferable place to spend time in when compared to rivals. However, for those who considered rear legroom to be a very real issue, there were long-wheelbase versions known as the Sovereign (and, at the very top of the range, the supercharged Daimler-also known as the Vanden Plas in the United States).

Although the new car was improved over the X300, and featured revised dynamics (including an excellent ride), along with its excellent new engines, the Mk 2 was now 12 years old and was launched at the same time as the all-new Mk 7 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220). Although the XJ was considered by critics as still competitive in some areas in many roadtests the X308 was essentially outclassed by the new S-Class, a car many journalists proclaimed to be the 'best car in the world' at launch.

However, despite being outstripped the Mk 2 XJ was considered to have a 'special' and unique feel compared to the somewhat clinical feel of the S-Class, and other German rivals, and for many purchasers this was reason enough to buy the XJ.

The Mk 2 soldiered on until its all-new aluminium-bodied replacement (X350) was unveiled in 2002.

Image:1998.jaguar.xj8.arp.jpg Interesting to note is that the XJR-version featured an 5 speed automatic transmission from the Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 and other high power Benz models.

A limited-edition XJR called the XJR 100 was available in 2002 only. The XJR 100 came only in black (paint as well as exterior trim) with black leather interior. Features exclusive to the XJR 100 were unique alloy sport wheels, gray-stained birdseye maple trim, red badges and red stitching throughout the interior. Only 500 were produced.

Mk 3 (X350)

{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=X350 |aka=XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8 |image=Image:2006 Jaguar XJ.jpg |production=2003–present |engine=4.2 L AJ-V8 V8 }} Although major revisions (through the X300 and, partcicularly, the X308 updates) made the Mk 2 competive in some areas against its rivals, the basic design and 'hard points' of the XJ dated back to 1986 which meant the car was very quickly being outclassed and losing ground to its rivals, many of whom were now 2 generations on from the MK 2 XJ. For example since the Mk 2 BMW 7-Series was unveiled in 1986 also, BMW had since launched the MK 3 in 1994 and Mk 4 in 2001 - while Jaguar was still producing Mk 2 XJs.

So in 2002 the all-new, and much needed, 3rd generation XJ (known as X350) finally arrived in September. If the X350 was traditional with its interior and exterior styling, engineering wise the new car was truly radical. The new car also saw the return of the fabled XJ6 badge, and with it 6-cylinder power, albeit in a V-configuration.

Design and Engineering

Like the Audi A8, the X350's chassis and body are constructed from aluminium. While some steel is used in some places throughout the chassis the X350 has an aluminium monocoque/chassis similar in general design to a conventional steel structure, but with two differences; its underbody components are bonded together with aerospace-grade epoxy adhesives while around 3,200 self-piercing rivets are used to create the new XJ's unibody. A conventional steel body would be welded, more because of the fact steel had a higher melting point. Interstingly the construction method of X350 is different to the one Audi employs for the A8, but both methods are as advanced as each other.

On its own the new XJs bodyshell weighs about the same as a contemporary Mini. If the car were made of steel it is estimated that it would weigh 40% more.

Styling wise the car breaks no new ground, carrying on the same traditional Jaguar styling cues and basic proportions found on the XJ since the original Mk 1 was launched in 1968. However, some of the styling features that distinguish the X350 from the previous XJ include the outer headlights which are larger than the inner headlights and wheels which are pushed closer to the corners of the car (due to an increased wheelbase), both like the original Mk 1 XJ. Also, the X350 dispenses with the 3rd side window of its predecessor, reverting back to 2 side windows of the Mk 1 with a curve in its rear door like that of Jaguar saloons of the 1950s and 1960s.

The interior was seemingly familiar and traditional too, not only looking very similar to the X-Type and 2004 S-Type but also the revised interior of the 1998 Mk 2 (X308).

Engines

The V8 engines remained in the new model, but were now the revised and more powerful versions found in the 2002 S-Type. The 290 Bhp 4.0 litre and 370 Bhp 4.0 litre supercharged engines from the X308 Mk II were replaced by the S-Type's 300 Bhp 4.2 litre and 400 Bhp 4.2 litre supercharged units respectively, while an new 3.5 litre V8 was also introduced. Derived from the 3.2 litre engine of the previous model, it produced 265 Bhp.

The 240 Bhp 3.2 litre V8 from the previous model was replaced by the 240 Bhp 3.2 litre V6 from the X-Type and S-Type. The V6 meant the return of the legendary XJ6 badge, while all the naturally-aspirated V8s continued with the XJ8 badge. The XJR moniker remained with the supercharged 4.0 litre.

2005 also saw the introduction of the first ever diesel-powered XJ Jaguar, a notion that was unthinkable only a few years ago and a model which still causes constenation amongst traditonal Jaguar fans and owners. Featuring the same superb Ford-Peugeot developed 2.7 litre twin turbo V6 unit found in the S-Type, the engine produced 204 Bhp and 321 lb ft of torque. Called the XJ TDVi, this model was highly praised and was not only labelled the best diesel against similar powered rivals, but also the best diesel-engined car in the world until the all-new Mk 8 Mercedes-Benz S320 CDi reclaimed that title once held by its predecessor. The engine itself though is often considered best in class.

Overview

Although the X350 is sometimes regarded as the best looking car in its class, to many critics this continued reliance on its past (including the X-Type and S-Type) is Jaguar's undoing, particularly as the X350 itself features advanced engineering and should therefore have the styling to match. Many critics claim the looks of the car, inside and out, barely seem any more modern than the X300/X308 and that the design will date quickly, especially as the life cycle for the previous 2 generations of XJ was more than 10 years. A roadtest of the diesel version by the hugely respected and influential 'Autocar' magazine made a point of this in 2005.

Styling apart, the general consensus was that the X350 is an excellent car featuring sharp and engaging handling, an excellent ride and engines that are among the best, particularly the V8s and diesel. Many journalists state that were it not for the sheer overall excellence of the Mk 7 Mercedes-Benz S-Class the X350 would have been the 'best car in the world'. As it stood, it was still claimed to be the 2nd best, and still is with the advent on the even better Mk 8 Mercedes-Benz S-Class of 2005.

Mk 3 Jaguar XJ (X350)

The top-line XJs are branded as Vanden Plas (in North America) and Daimler (everywhere else). Image:SuperV8.jpg The Super V8 is the fastest and most expensive model, with the XJR a close second. The Super V8, which debuted in the 2004 model year in the new X350 body style, is essentially a long-wheelbase, supercharged XJ8. Its primary competitor is the Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG. A distinctive wire mesh grille and chrome-finished side mirrors set the Super V8 and the XJR apart from the less expensive XJ sedans.

All North American XJs are powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) naturally aspirated engine. A 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged from 4.2 L V8 engine is optional. The valvetrain has a dual overhead cam design with four valves per cylinder. The top speed is limited electronically.

In early 2005, Jaguar announced its most exclusive, powerful and expensive XJ sedan since it ceased V12 production. Called the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio, it is a limited-edition trim level of the flagship Super V8 sedan. It debuted at the New York International Auto Show in March 2005, and is the most expensive Jaguar sedan produced to date, with a base price of US$115,995. The Portfolio features added power as well as exterior and interior enhancements, including a DVD player and 7-inch screens in the rear headrests. The Super V8 Portfolio, aimed at American and Canadian markets, became available in August 2005. It is available in only two new, limited colors: Black Cherry and Winter Gold. The equivalent model is sold under the name Daimler Super Eight and Daimler brand on the European and other international markets.

The Super V8 Portfolio is powered by Jaguar's supercharged 400 hp, 4.2 L, 32-valve, AJ-V8 engine. Top speed is 155 mph and the Portfolio has a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of five seconds.

Daimler Corsica concept

Image:XJ Corsica.JPG A single 2-door XJ covertible was built in 1996 to commemorate Daimler's centenary. The concept car, called the Daimler Corsica, is based on the Daimler Double-Six saloon and can seat four. The prototype is a fully operational car with all the luxury features of an XJ sedan, but a shorter wheelbase. It is painted a now-discontinued color called "Jade." The Daimler Corsica was named after the 1931 Daimler Double-Six Corsica. The concept was a one-off, and was never intended for production. The car has made a limited number of appearances at auto shows and events since 1996. It has most recently appeared at the Belfast Sports car Show in January 2004. The Daimler Corsica prototype is owned by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, and is on display at the JDHT Museum at Browns Lane in Coventry, England.

Safety

Road accident statistics on a model-by-model basis from the UK Department of Transport show that the XJ series Jaguars are the safest cars on UK roads (measured in terms of chance of death in an accident)—between three times safer than the safest Volvo models and only matched by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Land Rover. This is backed up by the popularity of the car in the world of banger racing, the early Series I/II/III models in particular for their combination of crashworthiness and high performance.

Current XJ models

• XJ8
• XJ8 L
• Vanden Plas
• XJR
• Super V8

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