Test drive Jaguar XJ 1997 - 2003 sedan

Her Majesty is a cat

The sparkling long -bous Jaguar is magnificent! Porodist, staten, rapid, luxurious and concise. From start to finish. Sit behind the wheel, I thought: yes, this cat is on its own. And the notorious S-class can walk.
 

One word is Jaguar ...

 
The XJ series has been released since 1968 as a successor to sports sedanov MKI (1955), MKII (1959) and MKX (1962). A characteristic feature of these machines is excellent dynamic characteristics at the level of comfort worthy of a representative class. No compromises when in the name of comfort they donate sports (and vice versa). Since the time of Series I, XJ cars have served as a means of moving monarchs and chased in the most prestigious rally, such as Monte Carlo.
 

In 1972, XJ underwent restyling (Series II) and first received a 12-cylinder engine with a volume of 5.3 liters. The third generation XJ debuted four years later. Series III cars protected the colors of Britich Leyland Motor Co. (from 1966 to 1984, Jaguar was a member of BLMC) in the national and European championships of highway-ring races until 1979, when they were replaced by the new XJS compartment.
 

In 1986, the fourth generation Jaguar XJ receives fundamentally new body and platform. The traditional four round headlights are replaced with rectangular blocks. The press and connoisseurs of the brand were then very wary of changes. Nevertheless, in Europe it was still considered one of the most prestigious. The center of gravity in the company's race strategy was transferred to the race of the American series IMSA and sports prototypes in Le-Man (XJR-12 victory in 1990).
 

The protracted financial crisis did not allow the car to improve, which led in the late 80s to the global decline in sales.
 

The chronic lack of funds (years since 1985 have been unprofitable for the company) questioned the further existence of Jaguar.
 

The management had to sacrifice the independence of the company. December 1, 1989 Two legendary English brands - Jaguar and Daimler - went to the Ford Motor Co.
 

It is noteworthy that the GM corporation also showed interest in such a deal a few months before. Ford has sent large -scale financial and technological investments to the development of new ones and the modernization of existing models, including XJ sedans. In 1995, his new version appeared. Outwardly from the previous one, it differed (and, of course, for the better), first of all, round headlights and the contours of the hood repeating their shape. The serial index (series) of the model remained the same. But for the revived branded features of the first issues, many, including dealers, call these new XJ cars of the fifth generation, or Series V. There were fears that after the loss of independence Jaguar, its models would lose their characteristic and exquisite image. That did not happen. Proof - here it is, stands in front of the lens of our camera.
 

The machine is 1997 of the model year, one of the last XJ6. At the time of filming in Russia, there was not a single model of 1998 - XJ8 with a new power unit. But the authorized dealer has already accepted several orders for them.
 

Our version of Sovereign is distinguished by a 125 mm wheelbase elongated by 125 mm. This made it possible to increase the distance between the rows of seats and create greater comfort for sitting behind. So Sovereign is a sports sedan for the rear passenger.
 

First of all, you pay attention to the unusually large slope of the backs of the armchairs and the rear sofa. Their position is closer to the reclining than to the sitting. This is due to the low line of the roof. Jaguar XJ is the lowest European sedan of the highest class - its height is only 1380 mm. In this class, few people fall below 1400 mm (for comparison: the height of the BMW 7th series - 1430 mm, Bentley sedanov - 1480 mm, and Mercedes S -class - 1490 mm). Nevertheless, there are plenty of living space in the cabin. The distance between the sofa pillow and the backs of the chairs allows you to relax, throw your foot on your foot and generally feel like in the government bed of the Bolshoi Theater. A developed air conditioning system allows you to maintain a different temperature in the back and front. All seats with electric heating. Two standard front -line electroregulations are duplicated on the back of its back. So the boss sitting from behind can, without further ado, put in place the accompanying face, brazenly collapsed on the front chair.
 

Everything is beautiful and streamlined in front. The central console seems to be overloaded with non-normative buttons in control of audio and climatic systems. In fact, it turned out to be very convenient to manipulate with handles and keys. All adjustments are electric. The on -board computer can store the positions of three adjustments in your memory: chairs, a steering column and external mirrors. When taking out the key from the ignition lock, the steering column rises up and moves forward, thereby facilitating the exit from the cabin. When inserting - from memory it returns to the starting position.
 

A little surprised by the plastic dashboard with natural wooden inserts. They were not surprised by the insert, of course, but plastic. True, in terms of performance and texture, it is indistinguishable from full leather upholstery. You can’t write anything - the protection of animals ... However, a picky client can order real skin.
 

The car starts only when the passing selector is positioned and the brake pedal pressed. Let's go!
 

The gas pedal is very light, everything is clear - as I pressed and went. Acceleration is powerful and even. The speed growth occurs without the slightest jerk, switching the automatic box is completely invisible. The cabin is quiet all the time, there is neither pitching nor vibrations. In this case, it would be naively amazed at the clear work of the suspension, brakes, steering wheel, repeating all the time: yes! This is a Jaguar car. And all.
 

I still note some of the features inherent in this particular brand. The steering wheel in XJ is only 2.75 turnover. This is less than, for example, in sports Volvo S40T4. At the same time, of course, the angle of rotation of the controlled wheels of the rear -wheel drive Jaguar is larger (unlike front -wheel drive, it is not limited by CV joints). Thus, the steering of this representative sedan is very sharp. It could be more informative if it were not for a powerful hydraulic wrap that damps any return from the wheels to the steering wheel.
 

By the location of the knitting needles and the texture of the sheathing, the steering wheel is not suitable for intensive work. In this case, you get a buzz, when, properly accelerated, you rearrange the car from the row in a row, easily sipping the steering wheel with one hand.
 

I wonder how this powerful rear -wheel drive car behaves on a slippery road. So, our XJ6 is equipped with an electronic transmission control system Traction Control. In addition to the standard ABS, it has a double -acting anti -operating system that not only copes with the wheel slipping, but also prevents the loss of course stability. The second function of the APS in a separate system is not allocated. And that's why.
 

The stabilization of the transverse stability in Jaguar cars is carried out by the same means (tracking, data processing, action) as the elimination of slipping. Namely, when one of the leading wheels slips, it is briefly blocked by regular brakes. If one- or even bilateral slowing down does not help and the wheels continue to grind the road, then the system besieges the engine, cutting off the fuel supply until the size of the torque on the wheel decreases until the clutch is restored. This is the usual work of APS. But when the rear axle is dried, one way or another, the wheels slide also occur. There is a mismatch between the speeds of their rotation and the speed of the car. Electronics reacts and takes actions to bring the angular velocities of the wheels in line with the linear speed of the car.
 

The alignment of rotation in this case is also achieved by the sequence of standard brakes of one or both leading wheels. Unlike the Mercedes Complex ETS+ESP (Motor 5 (13), 1997), the Yaguarovsky system Traction Control does not have a vertical axis position sensor. In this regard, Jaguar is easier. All information is read from the wheel sensors (rotation speed of each of the drive wheels) and is correlated with the engine speed, on the transmission and actual speed of the car.

 
How does the work of this system affect the behavior of the machine and the driver's sensations? Even possessing more than enough wheels with power, the car does not at all seek to put its ass across the trajectory. As soon as the skid begins with a high -speed icy turn, the Traction Control system makes itself felt by an unexpected slowdown in the car. Stabilization occurs instantly. In this case, the driver does not have to control the machine with gas.
 

Let's try to circle in place - the pedal to the floor, the steering inside out. The back begins to lead to the side. But at the same time, the side departure resembles more jumping aside than sliding. Each time, the car regularly drops the momentum and slows down with both wheels, and frozen, as if asking: hey, man, maybe enough? The electronic system can be turned off by pressing the button on the pupiter to the right of the steering wheel. A reminder will lit up on the instrument panel: Traction Control Off. Now an excess of power (in addition on ice with snow) immediately makes itself felt - the car can be easily twisted with gas and a steering wheel. At the same time, Jaguar remains completely predictable and is also easily placed directly by discharge of gas. Still, a sports sedan at least sometimes should cause the owner a thrill. Maybe he will want to go in a lateral sliding bunch or two of the mountain turns. You're welcome.
 

Actually, the Traction Control system is an option for XJ6. In the standard, Jaguar cars until 1998 were equipped with a differential of increased friction, which partially coped with the redistribution of torque between the rear wheels and, of course, did not turn off.
 
Among the pleasant little things, I would single out one of the functions of a security alarm - a special mode in which the car put under protection continues to shine with headlights for a minute. This is convenient if, for example, there is a dark alley from the gate to the house.
 

In 1998, Jaguar Cars Ltd. It claims for the XJ and parallel Daimler models of 8-cylinder V-shaped engines that are already used in the jaguar XK8 compartment and convertibles: 3.2 l (240 hp), 4 l (290 hp) and 4) and 4 l with compressor (370 hp). Moreover, compressor eights in all basic characteristics exceed the previous 6 l V12. Without exception, all the models will be equipped with only a 5-speed automatic box. Unification of power units will allow the company to reduce production costs and conduct a more aggressive pricing policy. (By the way, in Russia XJ is cheaper than similarly equipped with Mercedes-S). And next time we are waiting for a meeting with a new 8-cylinder wild cat.
 

Vlad Nikitin

 
 
 

Source: Magazine Motor