Jaguar X350
Encyclopedia
The Jaguar XJ (2004-2007) is a luxury car from Jaguar Cars introduced as the successor of the XJ Mark 2 (X308), and facelifted as the XJ (X358) in 2008.
In early 2003, the all-new third generation XJ (Jaguar project code X350) arrived in showrooms as a Model Year 2004. While the car's exterior and interior styling were traditional in appearance, the car was completely re-engineered. The new car also saw the return of the fabled XJ6 badge, and with it six-cylinder power, albeit in a V-configuration. It was only equipped with automatic transmission
, like most Jaguars.
, the X350's chassis and body are constructed from aluminium. While some steel is used in places throughout the chassis, the X350 has a stressed 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.
This differs from the A8's construction which uses an aluminium spaceframe to which aluminium panels are then attached. However, the aluminium Audi A8 weighs a comparatively high 1830 kg (4,034.5 lb) (3.0 V6 TDi) compared to 1539 kg (3,392.9 lb) of the (3.0 V6) XJ. On its own, the current XJ's bodyshell weighs about the same as a contemporary Mini Hatch. If the car were made of steel, it is estimated that it would weigh 40% more.
The new structure, and the need to continually improve the car's ride and handling, dictated a number of other mechanical changes. The third generation of Jaguar's rear suspension moved away from the previous double wishbone
layout in favour of a more sophisticated multi-link
arrangement.
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 out further towards the corners of the car (due to an increased wheelbase), both like the original Mark 1 XJ. Also, the X350 dispenses with the separate "sixthlight" rear side window of its predecessor, reverting back to two side windows with quarterlight glasses mounted in the rear doors, like the Mark 1. Moreover, beginning in 2004, changes have been made to the distinctive chrome side window frames of the XJ, where the use of chrome in the areas in between the front and back doors has been discontinued, in effect hiding the B-pillars. The curve in the rear door and rear screen resembles that of the Jaguar saloons of the 1950s and 1960s.
The vehicle was the first in Jaguar to be built using self-piercing rivets.
The V8 engines remained in the new model, but were now the revised and more powerful versions found in the 2003 S-Type
. The 290 bhp 4.0 L and 370 bhp 4.0 L supercharged engines from the X308 Mk II were replaced by the S-Type's 294 bhp 4.2 L and 400 bhp 4.2 L supercharged units respectively, while a new 3.5 L V8 was also introduced for the European market. Derived from the 3.2 L engine of the previous model, it produced 265 bhp .
The 240 bhp 3.2 L V8 from the previous model was replaced by the 3.0 L V6 from the X-Type and S-Type. The V6
powers the XJ6, while the XJ8 is powered by a naturally aspirated V8. The XJR is powered by a supercharged 4.2 L V8. The XJ6 and the XJ TDVi are the only X350 models not sold in the Americas.
-powered XJ TDVi. The XJ TDVi features the same Ford-Peugeot
-developed 2.7 litre twin-turbo V6 found in the S-Type. The model produces 204 bhp and 321 lbft of torque
, earning it praise as the most refined diesel engine to be found in any car, anywhere, with electronically controlled active engine mounts in order to minimize vibration at idle.
. A distinctive wire mesh grille and chrome-finished side mirrors set the Super V8 and the XJR apart from the less expensive XJ saloons. In 2005, the Super V8 model was replaced by the Daimler Super Eight in all markets other than North America. The Daimler Super Eight is essentially the same car, but with the addition of a different grille, boxwood inlays in the wood veneer and several other interior luxuries as standard. Daimler's US equivalent is no longer known as the Vanden Plas, but the Super V8. The Vanden Plas name is used on models that would be known as Sovereign elsewhere. Daimler has been the State Car for the British Prime Minister since the 1980s.
For 2007, the premium model was the reintroduced Jaguar Sovereign when the Super V8 and Daimler versions were dropped.
. The top speed is limited electronically to 155 mi/h.
in March 2005, and is the most expensive Jaguar saloon 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 North American markets, became available in August 2005. It is available in only two new, limited colours: Black Cherry and Winter Gold.
The Super V8 Portfolio is powered by Jaguar's supercharged 400 hp, 4.2 L, 32-valve, AJ-V8 engine. Top speed is 155 mi/h and the Portfolio has a 0 mile per hour acceleration time of under 5 seconds.
Since its launch in 2002 the XJ's exterior styling attracted much criticism from many motoring journalists who claimed that the car looked old fashioned and barely more modern than its predecessor, many even citing that the 'Lyons line' had been lost in the translation from MKII into MKIII XJ, even though beneath the skin lay highly advanced construction that put the XJ at the top of its class.
To counter this criticism and boost sales Jaguar gave the car a mildly revised front grille, though still of a similar design to that of the pre-facelift XJ (rather than following the contemporary design language of the Jaguar XF) while the new front bumper assembly featured a prominent lower grille. The Jaguar Logo was changed from the 3D bonnet ornament to the logo of the Jaguar face within the grille that is currently also found on the front of the XK
and XF
. The front lights had detail changes while the revised door mirrors incorporated side repeaters. The front wings on all models were remodelled to feature side vents, previously the preserve of the Super V8 Portfolio (and XJR Portfolio in the UK), while the side sills, rear bumper and tail lights were revised. The interior was only slightly changed, featuring resculptured front seats that gave additional support and more legroom in the rear, allowing rear passengers over a metre of legroom.
This Jaguar also featured in BBC 2's Top Gear, where it drove from Basel
to Blackpool Tower
on one tank of fuel. Despite the 650 miles (1,046.1 km) pre-defined range, Jeremy Clarkson
, who was driving the car at the time, had actually driven 800 miles (1,287.5 km), and after examining the tank, had enough fuel to do another 120 miles (193.1 km), making its range about 1000 miles (1,609.3 km). Clarkson then described the car as "astonishing" and "the second most economical car in the world", finishing just before Richard Hammond
in a Polo.
Notice: the models with the 2.7-litre diesel engine or with the 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine
are also known as the XJ6 (since the engines have six cylinders), while the 4.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine mounted in the Sovereign results in that model being known as the XJ8. Also notice that the model list for the UK does not include the 3.5-litre V8 engine
available in Germany, for example.
Notice: the XJ6 and the XJ 2.7D are not available in the US, unlike in Europe. The 'L' on the XJ8L badge denotes the long-wheelbase version.
In early 2003, the all-new third generation XJ (Jaguar project code X350) arrived in showrooms as a Model Year 2004. While the car's exterior and interior styling were traditional in appearance, the car was completely re-engineered. The new car also saw the return of the fabled XJ6 badge, and with it six-cylinder power, albeit in a V-configuration. It was only equipped with automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, like most Jaguars.
Design and engineering
Like the Audi A8Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a four-door, full-size, luxury sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, with multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmissions — and in short- and...
, the X350's chassis and body are constructed from aluminium. While some steel is used in places throughout the chassis, the X350 has a stressed aluminium monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
/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.
This differs from the A8's construction which uses an aluminium spaceframe to which aluminium panels are then attached. However, the aluminium Audi A8 weighs a comparatively high 1830 kg (4,034.5 lb) (3.0 V6 TDi) compared to 1539 kg (3,392.9 lb) of the (3.0 V6) XJ. On its own, the current XJ's bodyshell weighs about the same as a contemporary Mini Hatch. If the car were made of steel, it is estimated that it would weigh 40% more.
The new structure, and the need to continually improve the car's ride and handling, dictated a number of other mechanical changes. The third generation of Jaguar's rear suspension moved away from the previous double wishbone
Double wishbone suspension
In automobiles, a double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design using two wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckle. The shock absorber and coil spring mount to the wishbones to control...
layout in favour of a more sophisticated multi-link
Multi-link suspension
A multi-link suspension is a type of vehicle suspension design typically used in independent suspensions, using three or more lateral arms, and one or more longitudinal arms....
arrangement.
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 out further towards the corners of the car (due to an increased wheelbase), both like the original Mark 1 XJ. Also, the X350 dispenses with the separate "sixthlight" rear side window of its predecessor, reverting back to two side windows with quarterlight glasses mounted in the rear doors, like the Mark 1. Moreover, beginning in 2004, changes have been made to the distinctive chrome side window frames of the XJ, where the use of chrome in the areas in between the front and back doors has been discontinued, in effect hiding the B-pillars. The curve in the rear door and rear screen resembles that of the Jaguar saloons of the 1950s and 1960s.
The vehicle was the first in Jaguar to be built using self-piercing rivets.
Engines
| Model | Type | Power, torque@rpm |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7 Litre V6 Diesel | 2.7 L V6 twin turbo | 204 PS, 435 newton metres (320.8 ft·lbf) |
| 3.0 Litre V6 Petrol | 3.0 L V6 | 238 PS |
| 3.5 Litre V8 Petrol | 3.5 L V8 | 258 PS |
| 4.2 Litre V8 Petrol | 4.2 L V8 | 299 PS |
| 4.2 Litre V8 Petrol Supercharged | 4.2 L V8 supercharged | 395 PS |
The V8 engines remained in the new model, but were now the revised and more powerful versions found in the 2003 S-Type
Jaguar S-Type
The Jaguar S-Type was a mid-size luxury/executive car that debuted at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show and went on sale in spring 1999. The name is a revival of a previous Jaguar model, the S-Type introduced in 1963.-Overview:...
. The 290 bhp 4.0 L and 370 bhp 4.0 L supercharged engines from the X308 Mk II were replaced by the S-Type's 294 bhp 4.2 L and 400 bhp 4.2 L supercharged units respectively, while a new 3.5 L V8 was also introduced for the European market. Derived from the 3.2 L engine of the previous model, it produced 265 bhp .
The 240 bhp 3.2 L V8 from the previous model was replaced by the 3.0 L V6 from the X-Type and S-Type. The V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
powers the XJ6, while the XJ8 is powered by a naturally aspirated V8. The XJR is powered by a supercharged 4.2 L V8. The XJ6 and the XJ TDVi are the only X350 models not sold in the Americas.
TDVi
In 2005, Jaguar introduced the dieselDiesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
-powered XJ TDVi. The XJ TDVi features the same Ford-Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
-developed 2.7 litre twin-turbo V6 found in the S-Type. The model produces 204 bhp and 321 lbft of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, earning it praise as the most refined diesel engine to be found in any car, anywhere, with electronically controlled active engine mounts in order to minimize vibration at idle.
Daimler Super Eight/Super V8
The Super V8, also known as the Daimler Super Eight, is the most expensive model, with the XJR second. The Super V8, which debuted in the 2003 model year in the new X350 body style, was essentially a long-wheelbase, supercharged XJ8 with the more luxurious Vanden Plas, or Daimler interior. Its primary competitor was the Mercedes-Benz S55 AMGMercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The classification was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116 S-Class, which succeeded previous Mercedes-Benz models dating to the mid-1950s...
. A distinctive wire mesh grille and chrome-finished side mirrors set the Super V8 and the XJR apart from the less expensive XJ saloons. In 2005, the Super V8 model was replaced by the Daimler Super Eight in all markets other than North America. The Daimler Super Eight is essentially the same car, but with the addition of a different grille, boxwood inlays in the wood veneer and several other interior luxuries as standard. Daimler's US equivalent is no longer known as the Vanden Plas, but the Super V8. The Vanden Plas name is used on models that would be known as Sovereign elsewhere. Daimler has been the State Car for the British Prime Minister since the 1980s.
For 2007, the premium model was the reintroduced Jaguar Sovereign when the Super V8 and Daimler versions were dropped.
North American models
All North American XJ modles come standard with a 300 hp (224 kW) naturally aspirated engine. A 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged 4.2 L V8 engine is optional. The valvetrain has a dual overhead cam design with four valves per cylinderMulti-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
. The top speed is limited electronically to 155 mi/h.
Super V8 Portfolio
In early 2005, Jaguar announced its most exclusive and expensive XJ saloon since ceasing V12 production. Called the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio, it is a limited-edition trim level of the flagship Super V8 saloon. It debuted at the New York International Auto ShowNew York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
in March 2005, and is the most expensive Jaguar saloon 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
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
player and 7-inch screens in the rear headrests. The Super V8 Portfolio, aimed at North American markets, became available in August 2005. It is available in only two new, limited colours: Black Cherry and Winter Gold.
The Super V8 Portfolio is powered by Jaguar's supercharged 400 hp, 4.2 L, 32-valve, AJ-V8 engine. Top speed is 155 mi/h and the Portfolio has a 0 mile per hour acceleration time of under 5 seconds.
X358
The Jaguar X358 was a facelifted version of the X350 for the 2008 model year unveiled at the end of February 2006.Since its launch in 2002 the XJ's exterior styling attracted much criticism from many motoring journalists who claimed that the car looked old fashioned and barely more modern than its predecessor, many even citing that the 'Lyons line' had been lost in the translation from MKII into MKIII XJ, even though beneath the skin lay highly advanced construction that put the XJ at the top of its class.
To counter this criticism and boost sales Jaguar gave the car a mildly revised front grille, though still of a similar design to that of the pre-facelift XJ (rather than following the contemporary design language of the Jaguar XF) while the new front bumper assembly featured a prominent lower grille. The Jaguar Logo was changed from the 3D bonnet ornament to the logo of the Jaguar face within the grille that is currently also found on the front of the XK
Jaguar XK
The Jaguar XK series is a series of grand tourer cars produced by British car maker Jaguar since 1996. The series was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show on 5 March 1996. The first generation of the series, the XK8, replaced the XJS, and was available as a coupé and convertible...
and XF
Jaguar XF
The Jaguar XF The Jaguar XF The Jaguar XF (type (X250) is a mid-size luxury car / sports saloon produced by British car manufacturer Jaguar. The car, which replaced the Jaguar S-Type, was launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show following the public showing of the C-XF concept in January 2007 at...
. The front lights had detail changes while the revised door mirrors incorporated side repeaters. The front wings on all models were remodelled to feature side vents, previously the preserve of the Super V8 Portfolio (and XJR Portfolio in the UK), while the side sills, rear bumper and tail lights were revised. The interior was only slightly changed, featuring resculptured front seats that gave additional support and more legroom in the rear, allowing rear passengers over a metre of legroom.
This Jaguar also featured in BBC 2's Top Gear, where it drove from Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
to Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Eye is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. . Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 518 feet & 9 inches . The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers...
on one tank of fuel. Despite the 650 miles (1,046.1 km) pre-defined range, Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
, who was driving the car at the time, had actually driven 800 miles (1,287.5 km), and after examining the tank, had enough fuel to do another 120 miles (193.1 km), making its range about 1000 miles (1,609.3 km). Clarkson then described the car as "astonishing" and "the second most economical car in the world", finishing just before Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond
Richard Mark Hammond is an English broadcaster, writer, and journalist most noted for co-hosting car programme Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May, as well as presenting Brainiac: Science Abuse on Sky 1.-Early life:...
in a Polo.
Models
| Models | Executive | Sovereign | XJR | Super V8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engines | 2.7D, 3.0, 4.2 | 2.7D, 3.0, 4.2 | 4.2 Supercharged | 4.2 Supercharged |
| Wheelbase | short, long(optional) | short, long (optional) | short | short, long (optional) |
| Wheels (standard) | Carelia 8.5Jx19 alloy | Polaris 8.5Jx19 alloy | Carelia 8.5Jx20 alloy | Carelia 9Jx20 alloy |
UK
As of November 2007, the following XJ models are available in the UK:- XJ 2.7D Executive
- XJ 2.7D Sport Premium
- 3.0-litre Executive
- 2.7D, 3.0-litre, and 4.2-litre Sovereign
- 4.2-litre supercharged XJR
- DaimlerDaimler Motor CompanyThe Daimler Motor Company Limited was an independent British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in London by H J Lawson in 1896, which set up its manufacturing base in Coventry. The right to the use of the name Daimler had been purchased simultaneously from Gottlieb Daimler and Daimler Motoren...
Super Eight
Notice: the models with the 2.7-litre diesel engine or with the 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
are also known as the XJ6 (since the engines have six cylinders), while the 4.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine mounted in the Sovereign results in that model being known as the XJ8. Also notice that the model list for the UK does not include the 3.5-litre V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
available in Germany, for example.
Germany
From May 2007, the following XJ models were available in Germany (and presumably other Western European countries) (German nomenclature applies):- XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Classic
- XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Executive
- XJ6 3 litre Executive
- XJ8 3.5 litre Executive
- XJ8 4.2 litre Executive
- XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Sovereign
- XJ8 3.5 litre Sovereign
- XJ8 4.2 litre Sovereign
- XJR 4.2 litre V8 Kompressor (i.e. the supercharged V8 variant)
- Daimler Super Eight
USA
From May 2007, the following XJ models were available in the US:- XJ8
- XJ8L
- XJ Vanden Plas (this model is equivalent to 'Daimler' in Europe; the name 'Daimler' is not used by Jaguar in the US)
- XJR
- XJ Super V8
Notice: the XJ6 and the XJ 2.7D are not available in the US, unlike in Europe. The 'L' on the XJ8L badge denotes the long-wheelbase version.
Engines
| Model | Type (displacement, bore x stroke) | power, torque@rpm | acceleration (0-100 km/h) (s) | top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 litre V6 diesel | 2720 cc twin turbo V6, 81 mm (3.2 in)x88 mm (3.5 in) | 207 PS @ 4,000, 435 newton metre @ 1,900 | 8.2 | 225 km/h (139.8 mph) |
| 3.0 litre V6 petrol | 2967 cc V6, 89 mm (3.5 in)x79.5 mm (3.1 in) | 235 PS @ 6,800, 293 newton metre @ 4,100 | 8.1 | 233 km/h (144.8 mph) |
| 4.2 litre V8 petrol | 4196 cc V8, 86 mm (3.4 in)x90.3 mm (3.6 in) | 298 PS @ 6,000, 303 newton metre @ 4,100 | 6.6 | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |
| 4.2 Litre V8 petrol Supercharged | 4196 cc V8 supercharged, 86 mm (3.4 in)x90.3 mm (3.6 in) | 395 PS @ 6,100, 541 newton metre @ 3,500 | 5.3 | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) |