The all-new Jaguar XJ saloon: a very beautiful, fast car

"The motorcar is the closest thing we have come to creating something that is alive…" Sir William Lyons, Jaguar Cars founder

By Vince Bodiford
Automotive Editor

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Just as the Sonora desert is filled with an abundance of exotic wildlife - the all-new Jaguar XK saloon comes alive with innovation, remarkable performance and a beautifully sculpted aluminum body.

Jaguar has accomplished an astounding result with this new package. On the road, it is superb to drive, its ride a near perfect blend of sport tuning and luxury touring, and its steering feel is pure pleasure.

The benefits of reduced weight are intrinsic, from the moment the wheels start turning. In addition to measurables such as fuel economy, emissions and performance, the issues of handling and ride are also enhanced.

The U.S. range consists of a simplified, three-model line-up: XJ8, Vanden Plas and XJR. Each XJ model offers a high level of standard equipment - significantly more features than were available on the previous generation XJ - and a unique blend of Jaguar style and performance. The more spacious, normally aspirated 4.2-litre XJ8 shares its powertrain and chassis specification with the opulent Vanden Plas.

With the basic design elements of a considerably larger car in place, the engineering team quickly realized that a breakthrough was needed to solve the weight dilemma. At the same time, the challenge was to enhance the performance capabilities and comprehensive list of luxury features the new XJ would offer its customers.

Compromise was unacceptable - and aluminum was the answer.

"We chose the lightweight vehicle architecture for the new XJ not because it was something new," says XJ Chief Program Engineer, David Scholes, "but because it would help us deliver significant benefits for our customers.” The body of the new XJ is significantly stiffer - by 60 percent - and lighter by 40 percent than its predecessor.

In addition, magnesium - as strong as aluminum but 30 percent lighter again - is used for the new XJ's seat frames and the cross-car beam that supports the dashboard, instrument panel and steering column.

The new Jaguar XJ's luxurious interior has new levels of spaciousness, craftsmanship, ergonomic flexibility and seat comfort, complemented by entertainment, climate control and communications systems that reflect the needs of today's luxury car customers.

And yet alongside these practical considerations, the interior of the new XJ remains warm and inviting - a classic Jaguar interior. Despite the generous amount of space inside the cabin, the driver and passengers still feel cosseted, the ambience set off by real walnut veneers and hand-stitched leather.

The new seat designs were rated in Jaguar customer research as the most comfortable in their class. The 12- or 16-way adjustable front seats with electrically adjustable headrests are complemented by standard-fit electrically adjustable pedals and steering column, allowing drivers of widely varying statures to find the ideal driving position.

The new electronic parking brake, which eliminates the need for a traditional handbrake lever and also features drive away release, is itself an elegant design detail.

Overall, interior volume has increased not only for occupants but also for luggage. At 6.6 cu ft., the trunk is more than 25 percent larger than the previous XJ's - and even the glove box is bigger.

When XJ drivers and their passengers are comfortably settled in their seats, Jaguar's philosophy of incorporating relevant technologies quickly becomes evident. From the intuitive and relaxed interfaces between occupants and the vehicle systems - an approach that separates Jaguar from many of its competitors - to the electronic driver aids, the new XJ makes you feel instantly at home.

"You don't have to be a computer programmer to operate this car," comments David Scholes, XJ Chief Program Engineer. "Our customers are emphatic in their opposition to gratuitous technology and unwanted features intruding on their driving experience; it should be there when you need it but should never impose itself."

Advanced telematics and communications technologies include a seven-inch LCD touchscreen display that provides fingertip control of climate, audio and DVD navigation systems (featuring zip code programming). I have tested Jaguar’s navigation system in both the XJ and now the XK, and I must reiterate how effective, accurate and simple this system is to operate.

In the rear of the new XJ, a multimedia system allows passengers to access audio and video systems independently of the driver and front seat passenger. Two 6.5-inch color display screens, available in the optional multimedia package, are mounted in the rear of the front seat head restraints for video and TV viewing.

High quality audio systems are another Jaguar trademark, and the new XJ is no exception. The eight-speaker sound system fitted to XJ8 features a single-slot CD and radio. The 320-watt Jaguar Premium sound system with 12 speakers, digital sound processing, power amplifier, subwoofers, as well as the remote six-disc CD changer and single-slot CD/radio, is standard on XJR and optional on XJ8.

Optimized to complement the XJ's lightweight vehicle architecture and new powertrain and chassis technologies - including the state-of-the-art ZF six-speed automatic transmission - the two new engines offer effortless, refined performance and enhanced fuel economy and range.

The XJ8 and Vander Plas share their larger 4.2-liter AJ-V8 engines with the recently launched 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE and 2003 Jaguar XK. The increase in displacement from 4.0 to 4.2-liters delivers seven percent more power and torque.

The supercharged 4.2-liter AJ-V8 continues - and extends - the Jaguar tradition of offering the breathtaking performance of a supercharged engine with the flagship of the range. The 4.2-liter engine makes a whopping 390 horsepower - which is 33 percent more power than the naturally aspirated version with which it shares its underlying technology. This is big power.

New front and rear suspension systems - with the refinement of standard air suspension and enhanced Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) adaptive damping - take ride comfort and vehicle handling to new levels.

Jaguar's innovative Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system offers major advantages over conventional cruise control systems. Using microwave radar technology to overcome the need for the driver to adjust speed - either by disengaging cruise control manually or applying the brakes - when approaching slower traffic on the road ahead, ACC automatically adjusts the throttle (and may also apply limited braking) to reach a speed that is compatible with traffic ahead.

The public launch of the new XJ began in earnest at the Paris Motor Show in September 2002, and shown again at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2003. The stunning XJ show car made a brilliant - quite literally - debut, its bare aluminum body polished to a highly reflective sheen.

And if you think the new XJ is impressive so far, just wait until you drive it. The vehicle goes on sale in North America in September 2003, and I highly recommend a test-drive if you are considering owning a premium European sedan.

COMPARISION VEHICLES: Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac STS, Audi A8, Volvo S-80.

HIGHS: Beautiful and fast.

LOWS: Expensive to own and drive.

VEHICLE PRICING: Not available at press time.

USA SPECIFICATIONS FOR XJ SALOON

• Rivet-bonded, aluminum monocoque body.
• Front engine, rear drive.
• 4.2-liter 90° V8, aluminum alloy, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
• Electronic throttle, ignition and multi-port fuel injection.
• 294-horsepower @ 6,000 rpm.
• 390 lbs-ft. torque @ 6,100 rpm.
• 0-60 mph: 6.3 sec.
• Maximum speed 121 mph, electronically limited.
• 6-speed automatic transmission.
• Independent front & rear suspension, self-leveling springs.
• Four-wheel anti-locking vented disc brakes.
• Dynamic Stability Control.
• 17-x 7.5-inch light forged alloy wheels.

EPA Fuel Economy:18-mgp City, 28-mpg Highway.

As with all new Jaguars sold in the U.S., the new XJ comes with a comprehensive four-year 50,000-mile warranty.

LIFE’S A TRIP - Enjoy the drive. Be a safe and courteous driver, obey all highway laws, never drive impaired, buckle everyone up. All material correct at time of going to press. Copyright © 2003 The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved.