Car Design News: Jaguar XJ in Detail

Page 1: Overview
Page 2: Design
Page 3: Engine/Safety
Page 4: XJ Heritage

THE XJ'S LONG WHEELBASE HERITAGE

There have been long wheelbase versions of many XJ models all through its life, starting with a stretched version of the original XJ, in 1972. The Series 2 arrived in 1973 with long wheelbase versions right from the start of production and this became the standard car in 1974 when the original shorter wheelbase models were discontinued.

Although there was no long wheelbase version of the Series 3, a long wheelbase version was re-introduced to the XJ40 range in 1993. In more recent years the numbers of long wheelbase cars have been increasing, with the XJ8 reaching nearly 40,000 sales between 1997 and the end of production in 2002.

BUILDING THE XJ

Beginning July 2006, all XJs will be built on the same assembly line at Jaguar�s Castle Bromwich plant in Coventry, England. Aluminum bodies for the XJ are assembled at the plant�s dedicated press facility and body assembly plant.

Previously, final assembly of the XJ took place at Jaguar�s Brown�s Lane plant, which involved bodyshells being shipped 15 miles by road. With the closure of Brown�s Lane, all XJ assembly is now centered at the Castle Bromwich plant, considerably improving efficiency.

The Jaguar XJ bodyshop facility makes extensive use of state-of-the-art automation. Eighty-eight robots apply structural adhesives and install the self-piercing rivets in the vehicle structure. Following the application of every 30 th rivet, the gun is tested for accuracy.

The production of the new XJ required a new, dedicated aluminum pressing facility at Castle Bromwich. Designed, engineered and constructed by Jaguar Cars, the 103,000- sq. ft. pressing plant is operated and managed by a technical partner consortium, Polynorm Stadco, under a long-term operating contract.

The XJ assembly facility was designed simultaneously with the engineering of the new XJ itself. This gave manufacturing engineers the opportunity to configure an assembly plant before anything was actually built, so that the XJ�s entire body shop existed on computer prior to its installation. Every step of the production process, down to each movement of an individual robot, was modeled in this fashion.

The body assembly operation at Castle Bromwich is surprisingly clean and quiet. Gone are the sights and sounds, sparks and residue of a spot-welding process. Decibel levels have been significantly reduced throughout the assembly hall.

JAGUAR XJ LWB TAKEN TO NEW HEIGHTS

In April 2004, Jaguar presented the dynamic long wheelbase version of the XJ luxury sedan at the New York International Auto Show. Alongside it, Jaguar also unveiled the XJ LWB-inspired Concept Eight, a stunning show car that introduced new levels of luxury and several exciting styling cues.

Less than 12 months later, driven by the enthusiastic reaction to the show car, Jaguar arrived at the 2005 New York International Auto Show with the Super V8 Portfolio, a 400bhp production car inspired by the Concept Eight design study. Spectacularly defined by its muscular looks, powerful, modern character and unique interior and equipment features, the Super V8 Portfolio is the pinnacle of the Jaguar product range.

The Super V8 Portfolio underlines the acclaimed quality of the XJ�s engineering, rooted in its advanced aluminum construction. It builds on the XJ Long Wheelbase�s light weight, strong dynamic performance, agile, sporty handling and exceptional spaciousness. It demonstrates Jaguar�s commitment to intelligent and uncomplicated use of technology. It shows, too, that there�s more to the XJ�s core character than space, elegance and luxury, and that Jaguar knows how contemporary British design can match XJ�s heritage with 21 st-century modish appeal.

The Super V8 Portfolio also amply demonstrates Jaguar�s ability to respond positively and rapidly to market and media feedback, in moving from concept to production readiness within a year of the original unveil.

The Super V8 Portfolio will be built as a limited edition car, mainly for the US and Canada , but also for other key markets worldwide. Every car will be built to a single specification. Visually, the look is distinguished by key design details including the sculpted aluminum power vents in the front wings; the distinctive mesh grille - a feature of all 2006 Jaguar sedans; its polished 20-inch alloy wheels; and two new exterior colors - either the stunning 'Black Cherry' metallic paint that first appeared on the Concept Eight show car, or an alternative new metallic finish named 'Winter Gold'.

Inside, the Super V8 Portfolio is just as different. Again closely based on the Concept Eight's design cues, it features leather and wood trim but with a very modern spin; individual power-adjustable rear seats separated by a large center console; and a new-generation equipment list ranging from Bluetooth � wireless technology for mobile phone to a DVD system with twin rear display-screens, and from four-zone air conditioning to Alpine Dolby Pro Logic � II surround-sound audio.

Mechanically, the Super V8 Portfolio has the power and refinement of Jaguar�s supercharged 4.2-liter AJ-V8 engine but for the 2006 model year, Jaguar's most powerful engine enjoys a 10bhp increase from 390bhp to 400bhp (SAE). An advanced six-speed ZF automatic transmission takes drive to the rear wheels. Performance is proven with a 0-60 mph time of just 5.0 seconds, proving the Super V8 Portfolio�s sporty character is more than cosmetic.

The Super V8 Portfolio builds on and challenges the XJ Long Wheelbase�s classic image, giving the car a 21 st-century attitude that makes it a new and very special addition to the XJ range.

NEW LOOKS, TOTALLY NEW CHARACTER

The Super V8 Portfolio�s most obvious feature is its dramatically different appearance. The whole impression is of a car that sits lower and wider, and is much more overtly exclusive than the standard XJ. The prominent, sculpted aluminum power vents in its front wings immediately set the Super V8 Portfolio apart from any other XJ. As do the 20-inch �Callisto� alloy wheels, which feature the same highly polished five-spoke design as the 21-inch wheels of the Concept Eight, but promise better everyday durability and ride comfort for the production car.

Like the Concept Eight wheels, the �Callisto� rims have slim, elegantly curved spokes, and they feature the classic Jaguar script center badge style � combining heritage with an ultra-modern spin. And, like all 2006 Jaguar sedans, the Super V8 Portfolio uses a classically simple chrome mesh grille above a deep front air intake.

At the rear of the car, the Super V8 Portfolio is further distinguished from other XJ models by large, polished twin exhaust finishers, and by �Super V8 Portfolio� badging � �Super V8� on the left-hand side of the boot lid and �Portfolio� on the right-hand side.

Where the Concept Eight study used a full-length fixed glass roof panel, the Super V8 Portfolio has a more conventional roof with an electrically powered tinted glass sunroof � allowing the Super V8 Portfolio to retain the side-curtain airbags, deleted from the Concept Eight, and Jaguar's unique, ultrasonic-sensing Adaptive Restraints Technology System (A.R.T.S.).

The final, unique and dramatic exterior design is the Super V8 Portfolio�s standard color: a metallic Black Cherry, which is a combination of a rich cherry and deep black that shows subtle variations of both colors under changing light conditions. The new �Winter Gold� metallic finish also similarly enhances the Super V8 Portfolio�s muscular silhouette.

THE INSIDE STORY � ALL CHANGE

As with the exterior, the Super V8 Portfolio�s interior treatment is even more contemporary and elegant, overlaying familiar XJ values of comfort and luxury with a modern spin, making extensive but carefully considered use of intelligent technology to serve both driver and passengers.

The Super V8 Portfolio delivers space and luxury with an added level of sportiness and modern design cues. Like any XJ Long Wheelbase, it has front and rear leg- and headroom comparable with the best in class, and it offers its own rear seat configuration, with two deep individual seats separated by a large, multi-functional center console.

Each rear seat is individually power adjustable with its own controls in the rear console, which also incorporates a range of roomy storage spaces. For maximum comfort, the rear of the center console also incorporates the individual controls for the rear seat passengers� part of the four-zone climate control system.

All four seating surfaces are upholstered in a unique, soft-grained, ruched, Conker-colored leather, toning with the Conker color of the deep carpets and lambswool rugs. The head-lining, visors and all the internal pillars from the tops of the doors down are finished in a rich, suede-like material, and the polished aluminum sill finishers each carry the �Portfolio� logo. There is also an electrically operated rear sunblind and manually operated rear-door sunblinds.

As is traditional, the Super V8 Portfolio uses wood trim across the dashboard and for the door cappings, produced with typical Jaguar quality and craftsmanship but with a distinctive twist � an elegant American black walnut veneer with a soft satin finish very much like the contemporary designer furniture that inspired it. This contrasts subtly with the Conker color of the leather, carpets and general trim, and is given a sportier attitude by touches such as the aluminum J-gate gearshift surround and the gearshift knob also finished in Conker-colored leather.

The audio system has an impressive specification compared with any other car. Produced for the Super V8 Portfolio by Alpine, it is substantially upgraded from the high-level systems already offered in the XJ Long Wheelbase. It has Dolby Pro Logic � II sound processing, with seven amplified channels plus a sub-woofer. The latest amplifier and speaker technologies take sound reproduction quality and overall output to new heights. There are new, upgraded door speakers, a unique �center-fill� speaker in the front instrument panel, two additional surround speakers mounted in the rear parcel shelf, and an additional amplifier for the front mid-bass range, which gives a 2x40-watt power increase over the standard Premium ICE system found in the Super V8.

In addition, the Super V8 Portfolio has a DVD-based entertainment system for the rear seat passengers, with individual display screens in the back of each front-seat head restraint. For ultimate convenience, the Super V8 Portfolio also includes Bluetooth � wireless telephone connectivity, offering a high degree of integration with a variety of cell phone models controllable from the steering wheel, navigation touch-screen, and an available voice-activation module.

DYNAMIC BRILLIANCE � THE PART THAT DOESN�T CHANGE

While the Super V8 Portfolio changes dramatically in styling, interior design and equipment detail from the XJ Long Wheelbase, what doesn�t change is the outstanding technical specification. And, that includes everything from the XJ�s industry-leading aluminum monocoque construction to its powerful and supremely refined supercharged V8 powertrain.

With that starting point, the XJ sedan, in either wheelbase option, is over 400 pounds lighter than the equivalent model from the previous, steel-shelled generation. The XJ is by far the lightest car in the premium large saloon segment, and offers consequently huge benefits in performance, safety, economy and emissions performance. This type of construction also offers exceptional corrosion resistance, enhanced repair ability following minor impacts, and the associated benefits in lower insurance ratings that it brings.

In one area, the Super V8 Portfolio actually exceeds the Concept Eight�s specification, with a power output of 400bhp (SAE) compared to the design study�s 390bhp (SAE). In the Super V8 Portfolio is powered with Jaguar�s now familiar and highly regarded supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine, which has a hugely flexible 399 lb.-ft. of torque at only 3,500 rpm � with at least 86 per cent of the peak torque figure produced across a wide range from only 2,000 rpm to well beyond the peak torque point.

This excellent engine is matched by the superb six-speed automatic transmission already used in the XJ Long Wheelbase. Like the engine, it is notably light and compact, and features an electro-hydraulic shift mechanism whose adaptive shift strategy � controlled by the engine management � responds to both road conditions and the way the car is being driven, to give the smoothest shifts with optimum performance.

The Super V8 Portfolio retains all the XJ Long Wheelbase�s agile driving dynamics and class-leading ride comfort. Both front and rear suspension use what are essentially double wishbone layouts, with lightweight alloy components to reduce unsprung weight, benefiting of both comfort and control. Like other XJ Long Wheelbase models, the Super V8 Portfolio uses air suspension, and Jaguar�s Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) system. This electronic control system continuously adjusts the XJ�s damping characteristics, from firm to soft in milliseconds, to suit the driving conditions, optimizing both ride and handling.

The Super V8 Portfolio uses the supercharged XJ Long Wheelbase�s new Conti-Teves high performance brake system enhanced by four-channel ABS anti-lock brakes and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). Electronic Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) are also standard.

Like other XJs, the Super V8 Portfolio features Jaguar�s industry leading Adaptive Restraint Technology System, A.R.T.S., combining dual-stage front airbags, ultrasonic front passenger sensing, an energy absorbing seating system incorporating an anti-whiplash mechanism in the front seats, and pyrotechnic pre-tensioners for all safety belts. Safety equipment also includes side-impact chest airbags in the driver and front passenger seat bolsters, side air curtains over front and rear doors, and LATCH rear child-seat attachment points.

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