Jaguar XJ (X308)
Encyclopedia
The Jaguar XJ is a luxury sedan manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1997 and 2002. It is an evolution of the outgoing X300
platform, and the exterior styling is nearly identical between the two generations. The major change was the introduction of Jaguar's AJ-V8
as the only available engine. Like all previous XJ generations, it features the Jaguar independent rear suspension
arrangement.
and X300 was replaced on the X308 with three large, separate gauges set into recesses in the curved dashboard. Door trim and the design of the center console were also slightly revised.
and V12
engines, Jaguar offered only its newly-designed V8 engine (named the AJ-V8.) It was available in either 3.2L or 4.0L form, although certain markets (such as the United States) only received cars powered by the 4.0L version. The 4.0L version was also supercharged
in certain models.
The only gearbox available across the X308 model range was the five-speed automatic ZF 5HP24
. No manual gearbox option was available. Computer-controlled active suspension was available, as a feature named "Computer Active Technology Suspension" (CATS).
For the home market in 2001, Jaguar began badging the XJ8 model as "XJ Executive", and fitted as standard rain-sensing wipers, a CD player, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
Available on XJR models was an "R1" performance option. This included 18" BBS wheels, larger Brembo
brakes with cross-drilled rotors, and re-tuned suspension.
In 2002, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sir William Lyons
' birth, Jaguar produced five hundred examples of a special-edition model named the "XJR 100". Only available in the Anthracite exterior color with charcoal leather upholstery, the interior is trimmed with constrasting red stitching and birdseye maple. It is fitted with a leather-covered sports steering wheel and MOMO
shift knob. The XJR 100 uses the Brembo brakes otherwise found on the R1-equipped XJR, plus 19" "Montreal"-style wheels manufactured by BBS.
The Daimer and Vanden Plas cars were also available with the supercharged engine otherwise found only in the XJR. In the home market, this model was named the Daimler Super V8. In the US market, this combination was available only as a special order though 2001 (with these cars identifiable by their "Vanden Plas Supercharged" rear badging). For US model years 2002 and 2003, the equivalent Super V8 model was then offered.
Jaguar XJ (X300)
The Jaguar XJ is a luxury sedan manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1994 and 1997. It was the first XJ produced entirely under Ford ownership, and can be considered an evolution of the outgoing XJ40 generation. Like all previous XJ generations, it features the Jaguar independent rear suspension...
platform, and the exterior styling is nearly identical between the two generations. The major change was the introduction of Jaguar's AJ-V8
Jaguar AJ-V8 engine
The Jaguar AJ-V8 is a compact DOHC V8 piston engine used in many Jaguar vehicles. It was the fourth new engine type in the history of the company. In 1997 it replaced both designs previously available on Jaguar cars: the straight-6 Jaguar AJ6 engine , and the Jaguar V12 engine...
as the only available engine. Like all previous XJ generations, it features the Jaguar independent rear suspension
Jaguar independent rear suspension
Jaguar's independent rear suspension unit has been a common component of a number of Jaguar production cars since 1961, passing through three major changes of configuration up to 2003 and still used in the full-sized Jaguar XJ...
arrangement.
Exterior
The X308 kept the same exterior styling as the X300, with its rounded four-headlamp bonnet, low roofline, sloping tail, and wrap-around rear light clusters. From the front, the two generations can be differentiated by the shape of the indicator lenses (rectangular on the X300, oval on the X308), and by the shape of the fog lamps and lower valance air intake (both of which are more rounded on the X308.)Interior
The instrument binnacle of the XJ40Jaguar XJ (XJ40)
The Jaguar XJ is a luxury sedan manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1986 and 1994. It was an all-new redesign of the XJ to replace the Series III, although the two model ranges were sold concurrently until the Series III was discontinued in 1992...
and X300 was replaced on the X308 with three large, separate gauges set into recesses in the curved dashboard. Door trim and the design of the center console were also slightly revised.
Mechanicals
Having discontinued production of both the AJ16 inline-sixJaguar AJ6 engine
The AJ6 , and the similar AJ16, was an inline-6 piston engine used by Jaguar in the 1980s and 1990s. It was designed to replace the much-loved Jaguar XK6 engine, and was introduced in 1984. The AJ6 was only the third engine ever designed by the company...
and V12
Jaguar V12 engine
Jaguar V12 piston engine was one of the premier powerplants of the 1970s and 1980s. It was first seen in the Series 3 Jaguar E-type of 1971 and was based loosely on an earlier design intended for a Le Mans car, the ill-fated Jaguar XJ13. The V12 was only Jaguar's second engine design to go into...
engines, Jaguar offered only its newly-designed V8 engine (named the AJ-V8.) It was available in either 3.2L or 4.0L form, although certain markets (such as the United States) only received cars powered by the 4.0L version. The 4.0L version was also supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
in certain models.
| Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2L | 240 bhp | 233 lbft |
| 4.0L | 290 bhp | 290 lbft |
| 4.0L supercharged | 370 bhp | 387 lbft |
The only gearbox available across the X308 model range was the five-speed automatic ZF 5HP24
ZF 5HP24 transmission
The ZF 5HP24 is a five-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars from ZF Getriebe GmbH Saarbruecken. Introduced in 1996, it is still in production, and has been used in a variety of cars from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, and Land Rover - all with a front mounted longitudinal engine.-5HP24:*1996–1997...
. No manual gearbox option was available. Computer-controlled active suspension was available, as a feature named "Computer Active Technology Suspension" (CATS).
Models
As with previous generations of the XJ, base models were generally not offered outside of the UK home market. Also, instead of the Daimler marque being used in export markets, the equivalent "Vaden Plas" models were sold under the Jaguar name.XJ8
The base XJ8 came standard with more equipment than had been fitted to entry-level XJs in the past, including leather upholstery, alloy wheels, and air conditioning. The door mirrors and door handles are body-colored. The radiator grille, windscreen and rear window surrounds, boot lid plinth, and rain gutters were chromed, while the window frames remained matte black. Interior wood trim is walnut. Rear badging reads "XJ8".For the home market in 2001, Jaguar began badging the XJ8 model as "XJ Executive", and fitted as standard rain-sensing wipers, a CD player, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
Sport
The Sport model was equipped only with the 3.2L normally-aspirated engine, and with stiffer suspension and wider wheels than the XJ8. The windscreen and rear window surrounds were painted matte black, as were the rain gutters and window frames. The radiator grille has black vertical slats. Rather than a chrome radiator grille surround, the Sport uses a body-colored surround. Rear badging reads "XJ Sport".Sovereign
As with previous "Sovereign" XJ models, this was marketed to those customers who wanted traditional Jaguar luxury features. The interior is trimmed with burr walnut. All the exterior trim is chromed (including window frames, rain gutters, light cluster surrounds, radiator grille surround, and boot lid plinth.) Rear badging reads "Sovereign".XJR
The XJR is powered by the supercharged version of the 4.0L V8. It is also equipped with sport suspension, wider wheels and tires, and matte-black exterior window trim (expect in the US market, where the XJR was given chrome window frames and rain gutters.) Like the Sport model, the XJR has a body-colored radiator grille surround, but with a stainless-steel mesh insert rather than the normal vanes. Other exterior touches include the "XJR" rear badging and larger exhaust outlets.Available on XJR models was an "R1" performance option. This included 18" BBS wheels, larger Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
brakes with cross-drilled rotors, and re-tuned suspension.
In 2002, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sir William Lyons
William Lyons
Sir William Lyons , known as "Mr. Jaguar", was with fellow motorcycle enthusiast William Walmsley, the co-founder in 1922 of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which became Jaguar Cars Limited after the Second World War....
' birth, Jaguar produced five hundred examples of a special-edition model named the "XJR 100". Only available in the Anthracite exterior color with charcoal leather upholstery, the interior is trimmed with constrasting red stitching and birdseye maple. It is fitted with a leather-covered sports steering wheel and MOMO
MOMO (company)
MOMO Srl is a design company headquartered in Milan, Italy that makes accessories and parts for automobiles.- Company history :MOMO was founded by gentleman racer Giampiero Moretti in the 1960s. MOMO are the initials for Moretti-Monza. Monza is a region in the Province of Milan.In 1969 MOMO opened...
shift knob. The XJR 100 uses the Brembo brakes otherwise found on the R1-equipped XJR, plus 19" "Montreal"-style wheels manufactured by BBS.
SE
Produced only in 2002, the SE (Special Equipment) model was fitted with more equipment than the base model, and offered at a competetive price. The rear badging read "SE", and the cars were fitted with reverse parking sensors as standard.Daimler / Vanden Plas
The top-of-the-range Daimler marque (sold as the Vanden Plas model in export markets) features softer suspension and all available luxury features. They are cosmetically differentiated by the traditional Daimler fluted radiator grille surround and fluted boot-lid plinth.The Daimer and Vanden Plas cars were also available with the supercharged engine otherwise found only in the XJR. In the home market, this model was named the Daimler Super V8. In the US market, this combination was available only as a special order though 2001 (with these cars identifiable by their "Vanden Plas Supercharged" rear badging). For US model years 2002 and 2003, the equivalent Super V8 model was then offered.
Production numbers
| Model | Production | Price new (£) |
|---|---|---|
| XJ8 3.2 | 20,235 (including Executive and SE) | 35,675 |
| XJ8 3.2 (LWB) | 771 | |
| XJ8 3.2 Sovereign | 2,095 | |
| XJ8 3.2 Sovereign (LWB) | 385 | |
| Sport | 1,108 | 34,475 |
| XJ8 3.2 Executive | 35,950 | |
| XJ8 3.2 SE | 35,950 | |
| XJ8 4.0 | 8,369 | 40,975 |
| XJ8 4.0 (LWB) | 148 | |
| XJ8 4.0 Sovereign | 36,635 (including SE) | 43,950 |
| XJ8 4.0 Sovereign (LWB) | 11,566 | 46,575 |
| XJ8 4.0 SE | 40,950 | |
| XJR | 15,203 | 50,675 |
| XJR 100 | 500 | 58,935 |
| 4.0 Vanden Plas (SWB) | 1 | |
| 4.0 Vanden Plas (LWB) | 21,080 | |
| 4.0 Vanden Plas Supercharged | 788 | |
| Daimler Eight (SWB) | 164 | |
| Daimler Eight (LWB) | 2,119 | 52,575 |
| Daimler Super V8 (SWB) | 76 | |
| Daimler Super V8 (LWB) | 2,387 | 62,775 |
| Total | 126,260 |