Test drive Jaguar XJR 2003 - 2007 Sedan

Flying Briton

This story began with a significant event in the world of animals. The thoroughbred British jaguar predator had a molting! The beast, valiant and wise with experience, changed his skin to feel young and energetic.

This is a figurative but most accurate characteristic of what happened to the flagship series of the English brand Jaguar XJ. Strategists of the Almighty owner, American Ford, understood how difficult it would be to the British to remain a competitive player in the segment of representative sedans in the new century. After all, everything went to the fact that German models would dominate in this class. The charm and the exclusive status, thanks to which the traditional buyers of the XJ sedans for decades put up with technical shortcomings and low quality of machines, no longer saved the situation.

The exchange of the elite image of Jaguar did his job: the X-Type and S-Type models, the front-wheel drive and even diesel modifications of the famous brand deprived the brand of that blind, faithful love of many wealthy bunches. Recently, from former buyers transplanting to BMW or Audi, one could often hear: Finito Lamore. In such a situation, to preserve at least a small volume of jaguar sales in the top segment, there was the only chance. The new generation of XJ (see No. 1, 2003) was supposed to surpass rivals in terms of technical perfection and use of advanced technologies. In other words, to beat the Germans on their field and according to their rules! Fortunately, when such a radical solution has matured, Ford resources allowed it to be embodied in metal winged metal!

And a miracle happened: the new XJ, who used to suffer from a neglected obesity and because of this hopelessly inferior to competitors in controllability, became the lightest representative sedan in the world! After all, the 6-cylinder modification of XJ with a length of 5.1 m weighs from 1545 kg is the same average mass of the family sedan D! And the equipped mass of direct jaguar rivals for almost half a ton (!) More. The aluminum xj lost so much that it became a hundred with a small kilograms easier even the unchanging leader of the Audi A8 automobile fitness, a pioneer of aluminum technologies in this class. The weight loss was so radically affected by the behavior of the car that the novelty was awarded with the nickname Flying Brit a flying British. Of course, for acquaintance, we chose the flagship of the Gamma famous XJR. And in order for everything to look properly to the moment and titles, they invited the young flying British to visit the country, for one of the representatives of which the Flying, Holland has long been fixed! Of course, the first thing the question arises: is the fact that the new Jaguar XJ looks like a slightly detailed copy of the previous model, so disappointed? Nothing like this!

The live new model looks completely different, it completely retained the noble posture, which always differed in the XJ sedans, but now swiftness and frying have been added to sophisticated features. The pleasant and touching shade of the retro remained, but it is impossible not to notice the aggressiveness and confidence present in the character of the machine. There was no trace of some clumsy and angularity of the predecessor. The chief designer of the car Jan Collmus was given a carte blinch, he could perform XJ in the most unusual style, and many marketers even insisted on a total change in design in order to focus on revolutionary changes in technology. There is no doubt, collum knows how to create an amazing avant-garde to look at least at the last concept car Jaguar R-D6 (cm No. 10, 2003). But a person who is rightfully considered the main connoisseur and guardian of the aesthetic traditions of Jaguar, considered that this is the quintessence of the style of the representative sedan of the brand. We just shaved his perennial beard to the previous XJ, and everything fell into place, noted collum. Another thing is that a new car can sometimes be mistaken for ... the baby X-Type.

But you can confuse the king and stepson only at a distance. Near the dimensions and the aristocratic tread of the leader of the brand will immediately remind that the X also follows J! And in our case, also R, which is already radically changing the appearance. XJR, as always, looks great. The indispensable cladding of the radiator from the intertwined mesh (Mesh-Grill) looks much more elegant than the chrome cells of the plastic nose of other modifications. XJR is also delivered from a number of rather ceremonial decorative elements of the younger versions, the emphasis here is placed on muscles and athletic appearance. And for this there is nothing better than 20-inch wheels with super-low-profile tires. Just a sight for sore eyes!

The new car got rid of fat, it was replaced by a powerful layer of muscle tissue. The same can be said about appearance, but especially about running and dynamic qualities. It is worth clicking on gas, and the positioning of the XJR becomes obvious. Thanks to an unprecedented mass reduction, the 406-horsepower V8 with a boost turns the car into a competitor not Mercedes S 500, BMW 745 or Audi A8 4.2 with 8-cylinder engines. This eloquently speaks of at least the time of acceleration of 0100 km/h 5 s. It turns out that XJR for more than a second is faster than this trio, which involuntarily forced us to regard him as an opponent ... having 12-cylinder engines of the German flagships Mercedes S 600 (see No. 4, 2003) and BMW 760 (see No. 8, 2003)! But in the company with such powerful sparring partner-heavyweights, as it turned out, XJR can act very worthy. Giving it in power, respectively, 100 and 45 hp, it weighs almost 400 kg less. That is the advantage of the British!

You will not find such a feeling of lightness, almost flight during acceleration and passage of turns and on many compact sports hatchbacks! The front axle fits into a turn with amazing obedience and clarity. Inevitably, inevitably you have to put up on all large cars, is not felt at all. With the stabilization system, XJR has neutral rotation. Without DSC in skillful hands, the car is ready to give a lot of emotions from fervent managed slippers, but at the same time its habits remain absolutely predictable. BMW 760 allows you to practice good sports steering, Mercedes S 600 Biturbo affects crazy power and overload, but still when passing around the turns, these are very intractable entities: although they obey the imposed trajectory, they are opposed to all their insides, rebel. XJR practically eliminates these sensations. Jaguar fits incredible ease into turns, turning without the slightest effort.

There are no words, this machine is one of those rare models, which behind the wheel of which the most complex aerobatics is perceived easily, almost playful. A clear steering manages the picture, allowing the driver in every turn to enjoy the obedience of the wild cat. This very recalled the impressions of the Mazda RX-8 test (see No. 9, 2003). There, such behavior is possible thanks to a unique light rotary motor and a very low location of the center of gravity, in this case, a miracle is explained, of course, using aluminum. In terms of the hardness of the body for twisting the XJR, it is significantly (at least 30%) surpasses competitors with steel bodies, which plays a colossal role in controllability. We can safely say that XJR is a real revolution in the class of representative models!

Of course, the accelerated dynamics cannot but win from the loss of several extra centners. The eight-cylinder V-shaped motor with a volume of 4.2 liters with a Roots supercharger was frankly pleased during the dough of the luxurious compartment of the XKR brand, the same unit is used on the S-Type R sports sedan. But both of these machines, as you guess, are harder. XJR takes a very powerful start, unusual for usually imposing jaguar. This superfront, like a solid sports car, presses the bodies of sledges into leather chairs with force. Even when compared with Gran Turismo, the sensations are worthy, and to show the first -class results in a sprint of 0100 km/h helps the ultra -short transmission (4,17!). But the greatest delight causes not even acceleration, but frantic accelerations when moving at high speeds. SPUR 150250 km/h in V program gives incomparable emotions, the boost of the V8 at 35004000 rpm demonstrates truly unbridled agility. Indomitable acceleration affects even more because it does not reduce intensity even at almost maximum speed. And the elasticity of the engine! Having moved the transmission selector in a characteristic J-shaped slice, we forcibly include the highest, VI gear, and the tachometer arrow is lowered to the mark of 1000 rpm. The gas is up to the stop, and the compressor engine meets instantly violent acceleration.

And what melody fills the salon at these moments! These sounds resemble the howl of wind, then a quiet cry, then it seems that cat serenade came from under the hood. And with a sharp press on the gas pedal on IIIIIV gearboxes at 4000 rpm, the compressor suddenly gives out a couple of notes, neither give nor take the cello similar to the sound! Moreover, the accompaniment of the motor does not violate acoustic comfort in the cabin. The saturated sound palette of the supercharger only emphasizes that the filtering of other noise is truly amazing. We declare with all responsibility: XJR in all speed modes quieter than direct German competitors. This is especially felt at high speeds.

When the speedometer arrow of this Jaguar rests on the mark of 260 km/h, on board the British you will feel a real difference compared to S 600 and A8. And even the best seven in this regard is much louder at the maximum wiper than the new XJ. Indeed, German models lost in the area that is unusually important for customers of top sedans precisely in Germany itself, high-speed drive along the autobahn. XJR, to our unspeakable surprise, was more comfortable when traveling to maximum speeds, and its behavior is more stable than the German rivals! But we drove on this Jaguar almost 2000 km, and the speedometer arrow rarely showed less than 230 km/h. The impressions of S 600 Biturbo and BMW 760 were still very fresh, but we unanimously gave preference for the super-speed trans-European march-bars ... And again, thanks to the small mass of the car and its honed aerodynamics, we were waiting for another pleasant discovery: the average fuel consumption was about 15 L per 100 km of path, and even under the most intense modes, it did not exceed 20 liters per 100 km! Recall that the XKR coupe with the same engine and transmission shows at least a third of the fuel consumption (see No. 2, 2003), and the last generation XJR generally at least 30 liters per 100 km!

The new Jaguar uses an active suspension with a very suitable name for the brand. We are already familiar with her cat habits, and in general they are very approaching the character of the car. Comfort mode is good for a leisurely ride on an excellent coating: the chassis is so soft that it seems like under the wheels ... a thick carpet. Given the fact that most of the owners travel mainly around the city for a week, the decision is quite logical. But it is worth increasing the pace to at least 100 km/h, as the amplitude of vertical oscillations begins to irritate. By pressing the S button, you need to use the sport mode. At the same time, the suspension acquires pleasant elasticity, flexible swallowing unevenness of different profiles, and the rolls even with extreme high -speed aerobatics will be very small. Very worthy, only Cats still does not like it when a large pothole suddenly turns out to be at speeds under the wheels, and meets a strong concussion and several vertical pitching. And of course, 20-inch low-profile tires Michelin Pilot Sport make riding harder than 18-inch on ordinary XJ.

In general, the chassis is at a fairly high level, but still an incomparable active AVS suspension from Mercedes and the Dynamic Drive BMW 7th series one step ahead and guarantee the best combination of stability/comfort. Cats, we repeat, can differ only in slightly greater stability when high -speed driving on straight lines. Now, if there were just a masterpiece! Well, as the British say, Nobodys Perfect.

To end the conversation about the shortcomings of Jaguar, let's say about the brakes. Brembo Italian discs and mechanisms provide a tolerable slowdown, but only at the first two or three presses on the left pedal. Even after a short sports driving session on mountain roads, the brakes literally refuse to work. This is completely unacceptable, given the amazing predisposition of the machine to a quick, intense aerobatics. Therefore, the temperamental owners of the XJR, even if they do not want to hear about tuningers, the path to them is beaten: hardy brakes are an urgent need for this model. So it’s not for nothing that Arden or Ritter Cars, specializing in Jaguar tuning, advertise their brake mechanisms ...

But back to the pleasant moments, and in communication with XJR the absolute majority. During our test of the year before last generation of the XJR, a model with a lodging tuning six with a volume of 4 liters (see No. 10, 1999), of course, we were valid for his British spells, but at the same time we had to admit that even a person with a tall of 170 cm in this The car is not very convenient, both in front and behind. The body of the X300 series was distinguished by the causing irrationality of the ratio of external dimensions and space in the cabin, the car was just a cramped record holder. Preserving the proportions and genetic features of his predecessor, the new XJ finally parted forever with the heavy heritage of the past. All basic internal dimensions are absolutely comparable to similar parameters of German rivals. Spacious in front, there are plenty of space for the rear passengers, who now have enough space over their heads and on the sides. According to the canons of English limousines, the rear sofa is located above the front seats, so that the rear passengers have a good visibility forward through the windshield, and in addition, the ability to look at the driver.

Having got rid of the depressing tightness, the inhabitants of the XJR can now fully enjoy the atmosphere of luxury in the cabin. The overall design of the interior and the design of the front panel almost did not change, only all components increased in proportion to the size of the cabin, and the quality of the finish and assembly without prejudice to the English charm pulled out to the best German standards. So far, Audi, BMW and Mercedes are arguing about the preferred concepts of layout of controls with their new-fangled joysticks and other high-tech solutions, Jaguar clearly proves that it is a conservative, rather old-fashioned front panel that is still expensive. The ergonomics of the cabin is wonderful, and the convenience of using buttons and keys is unsurpassed, just at the level of intuition. Under these archaic panels, the mass of ultra -brain electronics is now hiding. Passengers use its capabilities, but its presence is not intentionally emphasized, as in modern machines of German brands. And even if the leather upholstery is no longer from the famous Connolly (the legendary company went bankrupt last year), and from the Austrian supplier, the atmosphere in the cabin reigns purely British: care and frivolity are combined in the British, known only to the wizards.

On the British Islands about the salon of the new XJ, they say that even here the clock on the front console goes slower than the time overboard flows! Undoubtedly, Jaguar XJR, a worthy alternative to top versions of Mercedes S-class and BMW 7th series with 12-cylinder engines. So, there is no reason for it to be much cheaper. So, in Europe, the price of a car with many options that we had on the test is about 115 thousand euros, it is quite comparable with the price of S 600 Biturbo or 760ia by only 1015% lower. But if in terms of image, the absence of V12 is an insurmountable circumstance, then in the sense of dynamics and pleasure from driving, the depressed V8 from Jaguar, oddly enough, can be even preferable. And, of course, if you choose between XJR and German-made analogues with 8-cylinder engines, after this test we would have preferred Jaguar!

His running qualities are simply fantastic, not to mention the fact that the name Jaguar, despite all the efforts of marketers, still has a much more exclusive status than Mercedes or BMW. The capital of respectability and elegant manners earned by a brand of Coventry in 60 years is too great that they would forget about it overnight. The traditional customers of the XJ series, although they temporarily moved to German models, of course, turning, but most likely will return to their British lover again. These people have the opportunity to change cars at a whim, and not as necessary. The new fans of the new Jaguar will gradually regain itself. On the other hand, it is obvious that BMW or Audi persistent adherents will also pay attention to the novelty of Jaguar, from those who before and in a terrible dream would not have the purchase of XJ. But today, high -tech, high -quality Jaguar, surpassing German representative sedans in terms of controllability, is no longer a dream! And the choice between passion and mind is already irrelevant, since the new XJ satisfies both.

Some technical characteristics Jaguar XJR
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 5095x1860x1450
Equipped mass, kg: 1665
Base, mm: 3035
Clearance, mm: 135
Trunk volume, l: 470
Engine type: gasoline V8 32-valve with a volumetric supercumber of Roots-Eaton and intercooler
Working volume, cubic meter. See: 4196
Max. Power, L.S./rpm: 400/6100
Max. moment, nm/rpm: 541/3500
Drive: on the rear wheels
Transmission: automatic 6-band
Brakes: Disco ventilated
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 255/35 ZR20
Max. Speed, km/h: 250
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, s: 5.0
Top volume, l: 85

Ivan Vesnin

Source: Avtopanorama magazine