>> June 2003 Launch Update and Test Drive
Evolution on the outside but revolution on the inside ! Exactly 34 years after Sir Lyons unveiled the revolutionary XJ6 Saloon, a car which set new standards and in which he had a strong influence, Jaguar will present the 6th generation of its successful flagship salon at the Paris Motor Show, on September 26th. For the past few months, speculation has been growing about the new XJ8, code named X350, but little was known beyond the fact that its construction would be aluminum intensive. The introduction of the new 4.2 Litre V8 and a 6th speed automatic transmission in the revised S-Type and XK sports car lifted the veil on the mechanical upgrades but the styling remained a closely guarded secret. A few spy shots here and there, heavily camouflaged, was all we could see.
Finally the wait is over and Jaguar has released official pictures and information on the all new XJ8 which will arrive in a showroom near you in 2003 as a 2004 model. Familiar styling... At first glance, it is clear that despite the revolutionary construction techniques, Jaguar designers have wisely chosen to simply update and modernize the XJ heritage. While the new X350 is significantly different from its predecessor, the differences are not as pronounced as they were in 1986 when the XJ40 replaced the series 3 XJ6. The X350 features a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs for additional room inside and a more comfortable ride. The windshield rake isn't as steep which, unfortunately, results in a slightly shorter bonnet, and while the car's waistline is higher than on the X308, the car retains Jaguar's familiar and sensual haunches. Achieving the right balance between perfect styling and usable space inside the car is probably the toughest challenge and even more so for a company like Jaguar where elegance has always been part of the Jaguar heritage. Ever since the early days of the SS cars, Sir Lyons made it clear that he would not sacrifice the styling of his cars and was very upset when his partner had changed the roof line of one of the early SS Saloons without his approval... just to give passengers more headroom... In the past, room inside the XJ line has often been cited as a problem; if some drivers like to be in a car which fits like a glove, others don't. When it comes to passengers, they just demand leg room, head room and shoulder room. It was obvious that Jaguar designers would have to come up with something to address these issues if the XJ8 was to remain competitive. The X350 does offer more room to its occupants, and their luggage (another thorny issue) but at the same time it doesn't compromise what makes a Jaguar so different : sleek, elegant lines... The headlights, although ovalized, still flow in the bonnet and the tail lights have the same shape as the X300/308. and side markers have now been better integrated in the overall styling. The fuel filler has now left its top of the boot position, a Jaguar trademark going back decades, for a more conventional location, on the side of the rear fender. It's also moved to the right side unlike the previous XJ and the XK. High tech construction... Under the skin is where most of the changes are taking place with an all new aluminum body, a first for Jaguar. Using aluminum isn't entirely new, Audi has been doing it for a while now, but the construction methods used are certainly state of art and in fact are an industry first. The panels and castings used to build the monocoque body are assembled using self pierce rivets and epoxy adhesives originally developed for the aerospace industry. Special attention has been paid to body stiffness and the new shell is 60% stiffer than the previous generation. Just like in the revised S-Type, Jaguar uses a Magnesium casting as a cross beam to support the instrument panel and steering column. Magnesium is as strong as aluminum but 30% lighter. The new construction technique represents a huge step forward for Jaguar as with so much research and investments we can expect to find it to find its way in other Jaguars in the future. If the defunct F-Type project is ever revived, it could be a critical piece of the puzzle. Tweaked interior... The interior had been revised but once again
it does retain a familiar look which will make owners of current Jaguar feel right at
home. First, the full width uninterrupted veneer dash is still there, as if to showcase
the company's unmatched wood working skills. The console is similar to the rest of the
line, extending high into the dash without breaking its full width design. It includes a
large multifunction LCD screen, as in nearly all modern cars, however it should be simple
to use and it appears Jaguar didn't make the same mistake competitor BMW did with their
new series 7 where new owners have to spend time reading a manual to figure out basic
functions... Something Chief Program Engineer David Scholes rubbed in "You don't have
to be a computer expert to operate the new XJ. The first thing Jaguar enthusiasts will look for inside the new X350 is the J-gate and to their relief Jaguar kept its trademark shifter despite the unfair criticism heard from magazine testers who are simply unfamiliar with it. The J-gate which allows manual gear selection is actually the electronic shifter providing ergonomic feedback to the driver. The big change tot he dash layout comes with the more traditional instrument layout, gone are the deeply recessed instrument for a more traditional instrument pod. Other details such as revised window switches, more storage space and the switch blade key/remote are making their ways from The S-Type and X-Type into the XJ8 as well. Much needed was the revised design for the previously flimsy cup holders and the X350 gets the S-Type console... Of course, new seats are introduced with magnesium frames for weight savings and 16 way power adjustments for better support and the ultimate in comfort. The driver space still appears to offer that perfect glove fit feeling which is another important element of the Jaguar experience. More power... The final major revision to the XJ8 comes under the bonnet but there is little surprise here as the X350's drivetrain has already debuted in the revised 2003 S-Type and XK sports cars. First introduced in 1998 as a replacement to both the trademark in line 6 and the mighty V12, the all aluminum 4 liter AJ-V8 has been one of the most advanced and efficient engine in its class. The new engine V8 is not just enlarged to 4.2 liter but it is highly revised model with new pistons, engine management, redesigned lighter and stiffer block, revised camshafts and new fly by wire throttle. Power output is now 300hp DIN for the normally aspirated model and 400hp DIN for the supercharged version. In some markets where road tax issues and fuel prices are an issue, a new 262hp 3.5 liter model will be offered along with a V6 model which will mark the return of the XJ6 badge! Die hard enthusiasts will once again complain about the lack of manual gearbox but this is hardly a surprise in a large luxury saloon; after all, if Jaguar didn't take the plunge in the XKR or S-Type R... it wasn't going to happen there either! Instead, the new ZF 6 speed automatic transmission will be used. The final and critical question is left unanswered for now... performance ! Additional power and torque coupled with 400 lb. weight savings should significantly boost acceleration across the range but no numbers have been announced just yet. The 6 speed transmission, with closer ratios, should also help but so far it has proven rather disappointing as neither the 2003 S-Type R or the 2003 XKR are significantly faster than their predecessors despite the larger engines. Just why is not known and various reasons have been mentioned including that maybe the extra ratio means the transmission shifts into 3rd just below 60 mph. Various magazines have noted in their test that the S-Type R was shifting well below the red line ... oversight or necessity to make sure the transmission could cope with the huge amount of power and torque the blown V8 generates. We can only hope that with extra year of development, Jaguar will be able to extract the most out of the package and in R trim, the X350 will finally break the 5 second 0 to 60 barrier. ...and improved handling Jaguar has also made some significant revisions to the suspension insuring the X350 lives up to the expectations : Jaguars have always been finely tuned to provide the perfect mix of handling and comfort. The X350 takes this a step further by being the first Jaguar to feature an air suspension which, combined with Jaguar's exclusive and now familiar Computer Active Technology Suspension, will provide a refined ride yet allow drivers to experience precise and sporty handling when needed. The new suspension is also self leveling to maintain a constant ride height regardless of load and will automatically lower the car at speed to improve stability. So the wait is over and we know what the face of Jaguar will be for the next 5 to 7 years. It is still a familiar face and definitely a worthy successor to what is probably the longest running model line on the market today. Over the years, the XJ line has evolved, changed, improved but has always been true to its heritage and the very first XJ6 Series 1 Sir Lyons presented to the world 34 years ago. The X350 takes this a step further, he would be proud.
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Our customers are emphatic in their opposition to gratuitous technology and
unwanted features intruding on the driving experience". The finish of the console is
done in a new innovative material Jaguar calls Piano Black trim, after the highly
polished, deep lustrous sheen of a concert grand piano.