Test drive Jaguar XJ 2003 - 2007 Sedan

Aluminum cat

The new XJ is not just a luxurious limousine with a typically British charm. This is also one of the best cars for the driver ever created by Jaguar.

The new Jaguar XJ heir to the most long -lived series of the English company. When creating the model, advanced technologies and materials were used: becoming more and more spacious than its predecessor, the car lost 200 kg, and the rigidity of its body increased by 60%, and this is not a miracle, it was simply completely made of aluminum. The advertising materials about this truly revolutionary event are discussed in passing as something ordinary. Why? Yes, because most buyers have no care of this.

The chief engineer of the XJ project David Skowles explains: when in 1994 Audi launched an aluminum A8 into the series, she came across a wall of misunderstanding. In my opinion, the reason is the wrong marketing policy. The consumer does not give a damn about the technology itself, the benefits from them are important to him.

So enough about aluminum. Better tell me how you like the air suspension controlled by electronics, installed in the standard for all modifications of XJ? Or the fact that even the most affordable version of the XJ6 (engine V6 3.0, 240 hp) is equipped with gorgeous things such as front seats with 12 directions, electroregulated pedal node and steering wheel, leather salon, 6-disc chainer, climate-climate Control, parking sensors, cruise control, 6-speed automatic transmission ... The price of such a modification (in Europe) is about 59,000 euros. A very tempting offer!

The machine is equipped with an electronic parking brake, which is disconnected independently when the machine gun selector is transferred to the Drive or Revers. A multimedia system is mounted for the surcharge. The button of each of its function is duplicated on an active liquid crystal screen, which is very convenient.

The developers team had ideas regarding the electronics control system with a joystick, like Idrive BMW, but ultimately abandoned it. As David Skowles said, the average age of the Owners of the XJ 5355 years. Even if they understand computer technology, they have no time to do this in the car. All that such people want to get into the car and go on business.

The cabin is dominated by a domed front panel, a traditional Jaguar element, left in contrast to the new -festive playful interior design. With great taste, the finish of chrome was used: door handles, instruments and other elements shine in the same way as on the classic Jaguar of the old school. The atmosphere of antiquity complements the smoothly extinguishing theatrical lighting.

Not without comments. A car of a similar class would have been suitable for an electronic access system with a smart card and the engine start button, and not an intrusively sticking out of the ignition key from the panel. Yes, and buttons could be from a more expensive and pleasant to the touch plastic.

The driver’s place, perhaps, is more convenient than in other cars of this class, due to not only all possible adjustments of the seat, but also the adjustable pedal node, which is exhibited using the handle on the steering column (the steering wheel also moves through this pen).

Rich leather chairs are exactly the same as in Jaguar S-Type. They are just as luxurious (the back is resting in them) how sports are (lateral support is well developed).

Compared to the previous XJ, the space of the salon increased in all directions. This is most noticeable in front: it has become more spacious in the legs, head and shoulders (it is especially pleasing that the distance between the shoulders and glass of doors has grown). At the same time, the massive central console and the protruding door panels skillfully envelop the sitting in front, creating a cozy environment.

The ease with which you fall into the back seat and leave it reminds of the jaguars of the middle of the last century. In terms of the reserve of freedom in the legs of the rear passengers, XJ almost does not differ from the BMW or Mercedes-Benz S-Class seven, and the rear sofa exceeds German competitors in terms of landing, and it is not divided in the center in XJ. As for the trunk, its volume has increased by 100 liters.

For the test we got XJ with the V8 3.5 engine. As soon as the car got out onto the highway, it became clear that the aluminum response to the competitors was a successful Jaguar to glory. The V-shaped eight delights the hearing with a magnificent voice: all the engines of the new XJ passed a special acoustic setup. An unusually compact power unit has a good return at the top and burden on the bottoms. Developing 262 l. p., he is about the same norovist as the BMW 735i or Audi A8 3.7 engines, but it is worth considering that those cars are at least two centners heavier than our Jaguar.

All modifications of XJ are installed by a six -speed ZF automatic transmission with gear rates adapted to a particular engine. We do not know how for other versions, but for a small -caliber V8, the machine is excellent. The gear rates are selected optimally, and switching is made without delay. In addition to the usual mode, there is also Sport, which is so smart that it even delays the transfer to the transmission to the highest when passing turns. But the manual operation of the automatic transmission seemed less convenient than, for example, in the Mercedes Testronics.

The chassis is constructed brilliantly. It feels like you are sitting at the wheel of the five BMW, but the size of the XJ is similar to the 7th series! The car has steel brakes and a clear steering control, and its air suspension provides excellent stability and stability. Determining the nature of the new Jaguar, David Skowles said that the engineer team managed to create a car as comfortable as the delighting pleasure.

On the high -speed highway, the car goes like a cruiser. But as soon as it falls on a winding road, sports excitement awakens in it, and Jaguar begins to screw up with amazing ease into turns with a slight demolition of the rear axle.

Mike Cross, a professional racer who took part in the refinement of the chassis of the new Jaguar, said that the company's engineers carefully studied competitors Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. The most sluggish of them was Lexus, the most sports Audi. If you attach XJ to this scale, it will be closer to Lexus and Mercedes-Benz than to BMW and Audi. Guided by intuition, the pendants decided that such positioning is best suited for Jaguar. As a result, the car was endowed with exquisite, noble manners. At the same time, it’s damn nice to manage them.

Why Jaguar chose aluminum

When Jaguar began to develop the seventh generation XJ, the transition to an aluminum body was not part of its plans. But since the use of aluminum made it possible to significantly reduce the mass of the car, this option soon became the main one. The implementation of the project began with the conclusion of an agreement with the Canadian metallurgical company Alcan.

Aluminum is stronger than steel is deformed during pressing, so the production of many parts of a complex form caused difficulty. Thanks to Alcan engineers who developed the necessary technologies, such difficulties were overcome.

It is curious that Jaguar and the main competitor to Alcan, the North American company Alcoa, collaborating with Audi, offered their services. Now it makes not only A8 body details, but also the XJ suspension elements.

The mass of the XJ body without primer and painting is only 220 kg, and 360 would weigh the same steel. All parts are connected with 3180 rivets and epoxy glue (it accounts for 120 meters of seams). As a result, excluding the complex process of aluminum welding, it was possible to quickly rebuild the production capacities of the Jaguar plant in KASL-Bromvich for the production of new bodies.

History of the XJ model

1968
The appearance of the model. September 1968 is considered the date of birth XJ. With his appearance, confusion in the classification of Jaguar sedans ceased. The style of the car, the creation of which was personally controlled by William Lyons, produced a splash. True, someone said that the machine resembles Alfa Romeo 105 Coupe, made in the Giugiaro and Bertone studio.

1973
The second series of the model. The increase in demand for Jaguar cars in the United States pushed the company to modernize the model. The most successful was the XJ with the V12 motor. The modification with the engine of a 2.8 working volume turned out to be unclaimed and was replaced by a more powerful, with a power unit 3.4. From 1975 to 1979 About ten thousand XJ-C coupe was also released.

1986
XJ40. The first since 1968 is completely new XJ. The car has a different chassis and a 24-valve AJ6 3.6 engine (later the volume was increased to four liters). It was the last Jaguar, which received the approval of William Lyons (19011986). Four years after the start of the production of XJ40, Jaguar has passed under the control of Ford Motor Company.

1994
X300. For money received from the new owner, a beautiful X300 was built with a modernized AJ16 engine with a volume of 3.2 and 4 liters. A charged version of the XJR with a four -liter engine equipped with a van can also appeared, capable of accelerating to 250 kilometers per hour. The truth was produced, very shortly and the modification of the XJ with the V12 engine.

1997
X308. Despite the external resemblance to the previous model, serious changes have occurred in the design of the car. The quality of manufacture has improved significantly. The modification with the V8 motor was replaced by the famous XJ6 and XJ12. Fans of hot versions were offered XJR with a 4.0 engine.

New XJR: heavy shell of lightweight

The 400-horsepower XJR can be compared with a boxer, in whose eyes the anticipation of the battle is always read. What is this car in action? It turned out that nothing supernatural, no incredible sensations. At high speeds, the engine (or rather, its boost system) sounds even softer than that of S-Type R.

The technical characteristics stated that XJR gains 100 kilometers per hour in 5 seconds. In the city, this will not give you much advantage, unless, of course, you want to run into a fine or catch a bumper of another car. Only when you get out on the track, you will fully feel all the charms of a powerful motor and a wonderful transmission.

Thanks to the 20-inch wheels with a low-profile rubber, the car looks very stylish, but at the same time knocks out your soul on each pit. To prevent this from happening, you need to either fly away such areas, or throw off speed to pedestrian (the benefit of reinforced Brembo brakes provide an excellent slowdown) and pass the obstacle in a whisper.

In general, if you are traveling a lot, if you want to have an acceptable car and if you think that the possession of an expensive sports jaguar will raise your prestige, this car is for you.

Jaguar XJR creates its own universe, where the clock ticks slower, and you have time more, in no hurry.

Jaguar xjr

Equipped mass, kg 1665 maximum speed, km/h 250 acceleration time to 100 km/h, C 5.3 counter. fuel consumption (funny cycle), l/100 km 12.3 engine Benz., V-image., 32-valve.; slave. volume, cm3 4196; Power, L.S. at MIN-1 400/6100; Torque, NM at min-1 553/3500 The size of tires 255/35R20 price (in Europe), $ 90500.

Technical characteristics Jaguar XJ

Body 4-door sedan
Number of places, people. five
Equipped mass, kg 1615
Full mass, kg 2200
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm 5090/1860/1448
Base, mm 3034
Maximum speed, km/h 242
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, from 7.6
Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km:
- City cycle 15.9
- Zagorodny 7.7
- Mixed 10.7
Fuel tank capacity, l 85
Engine:
-type of gasoline, V-shaped, 32-valve
- working volume, cm3 3555
- Power, L.S. at MIN-1 262/6250
- torque, NM at min-1 345/4200
- power supply system distributed injection
Automatic transmission, 6-speed, rear-wheel drive
Tire size 235/55R17 or 235/50R18
Wheel suspension is independent, pneumatic
Disc, ventilated brakes
Steering with an amplifier
Price (in Europe), $ 69900

Text: Maxim Stanislavov
 
 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [06/2003]