Test drive Jaguar XJ 1997 - 2003 sedan
Her Majesty is a cat
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One word is Jaguar ...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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