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Jaguar XJR sedan laced with supercharged energy from new V8
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SHENANDOAH, Va. -- Ripping around broad benders on Skyline Drive, which traces a ridge route high above the Shenandoah Valley, the big sedan behaves itself, rear wheels throwing muscle into each turn as tires claw for traction on a blacktop surface.
Slip that shift lever down a notch through the manual mode and a supercharged engine whines in braking before the next turn. Now ease throttle after the apex and exit cleanly before punching it into the straightaway ahead.
Then hold on tight: This thing tracks like a cat through curves and soars when set free.
For a big car, and a supreme luxury liner at that, such sport-tinged elation is definitely not what's expected here.
However, pleasant surprises and driving excitement seem to come together with extensive luxury features heaped into a new supercharged variation of Jaguar's XJ sedan.
All four of the full-size luxury machines in this series have been revamped for 1998 issues, then armed with a new Jaguar V8 engine which debuted last year in context of gorgeous curvy shapes for XK8 coupe and convertible.
All four also receive a malleable 5-speed German electronic automatic transmission.
All handle with more confidence too, thanks to a stiffer chassis and new front suspension components lifted from XK8, along with subtle enhancements for the leather-lined passenger compartment.
And all look absolutely stunning.
Sheetmetal sections reveal smooth and contemporary contours yet hint at classic shapes from earlier Jaguars. Signature round headlamps, offset by horizontal slant of bold chrome in grille, mark the prow, as sensuous lines sweep rearward across a long hood and low roof to the definitive rounded tail.
Jaguar's sedans are long enough to measure up to full-size dimensions, although the broad and low stance makes them appear slinky and aggressive.
Inside, modifications include a curved dashboard and triple binnacles containing analog instruments, plus enough comfort fittings to outfit the palace of an English peer. Rich expanses of polished burled walnut decorate interior sections of doors, dash and console, and soft leather upholstery shows up in liberal applications, as does bright chrome on accessories such as door handles.
These deluxe coaches -- including supercharged XJR and the stretched Vanden Plas luxury edition -- also carry advanced new safety systems, ranging from side-impact airbags to a new automatic stability control system linked to computerized anti-lock brakes.
A stretched version, with five inches added to the wheelbase, provides more than generous rear seat legroom under the badge of XJ8-L.
Vanden Plas, Jaguar's dressy long version of an already luxurious XJ8-L, uses the wheelbase extension to create a pampered rear compartment for chauffeured riders. Rear occupants also receive individual heaters for seats and backrests with thermostatic controls, even folding picnic tables of burled walnut.
Yet XJR, the sporty variation in Jaguar's XJ sedan series, promotes supercharged action from the new 8-cylinder engine -- and this edition with twin intercoolers thrusts output to a heady charge of 370 hp.
The beefed-up powerplant gets a special Mercedes-Benz 5-speed automatic transmission to handle all of that engine torque, and there are stiff and sporty suspension settings in place, plus big wheels and Z-rated tires.
It's so fast (5.4 seconds from zero to 60 mph) that the cat beats Porsche's Carrera 4 or matches a Spyder Ferrari.
Dennis Scholes, Jaguar's chief program engineer, summarized the car's mission during a series of Virginia test drives when he recalled a concept goal: "We wanted the performance of a BMW combined with the luxury of a Lexus."
Most significant change for XJ sedans focuses on powertrain improvements with the new V8. Previously, all Jaguars packed engines with six or twelve cylinders, but now the 4.0-liter aluminum V8 with dual overhead cams and output of 290 hp drops into all versions save supercharged XJR.
The result of a $230 million investment by Ford after acquiring Jaguar in 1989, the V8 was designed by Jaguar and built at a Ford factory in Wales.
Ford's infusion of capital, production expertise, parts resourcing and quality control has resulted in dramatic improvements at Jaguar in recent years. For instance, the labor required to assemble a product has been reduced drastically through the implementation of efficient assembly techniques and more reliance on robotics, while warranty repair costs -- meaning things that go wrong with the vehicle -- have dropped by more than half.
Perhaps the more telling change comes from reports of customer satisfaction as measured through surveys by J. D. Power and Associates. In 1989, Jaguar ranked only in 31st position among all automakers in the satisfaction index, yet by 1997 it had climbed to fifth place overall to compete in league with other ultra luxury labels like Lexus, Infiniti and Mercedes.
In addition to powertrain, XJR has the type of mechanical components which create a sporty performer.
The fully independent double wishbone suspension uses an isolated aluminum front cross-beam, with unequal-length control arms arranged to provide anti-dive effect under braking. In back, an independent wishbone system incorporates the driveshaft acting as upper links and provides anti-lift when braking and anti-squat when accelerating.
Structural concepts for this suspension stem directly from Jaguar's experience in constructing agile racing machines. Like racers, XJR can cut a quick corner and hold a hard line through complicated movements, but still dampen bumps and silence pavement chatter. Ride quality feels living-room smooth -- and library quiet, preserving hallmarks of past Jaguars to isolate road noise and roughness, then tune out the outside world.
Speed-sensitive variable-assist power rack and pinion steering and 4-wheel disc brakes with the computerized anti-lock controls enhance maneuvers. Also, the new stability control system, which uses brake and throttle automatically to correct potentially dangerous yaw behavior, is in place.
Pricing, which remains at the 1997 level despite addition of V8 power and the mechanical improvements, starts at $54,750 for XJ8 and rises to $67,400 for XJR.
1998 JAGUAR XJ SERIES SEDANS
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 JAGUAR XJR Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size luxury sedan |
| Model Options: |
Full-size luxury sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
113.0 inches
117.9 inches |
| Overall Length: |
197.8 inches
202.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 4.0-L V8
DOHC 4.0-L V8 SC
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/ASC |
| Airbags: |
4 |
| Gas Mileage: |
16/25 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 54,750 to $ 72,400 |
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