Geneva: 2008 Jaguar XJ

Jaguar will be unveiling a freshened XJ at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show next week, which it hopes will help the large luxury sedan stay relevant until its replacement reportedly arrives in 2010. The changes are few and include a revised front end with a wonky new air inlet below the grille and new fog lamps in a revised front bumper. The big cat also gets XJ-style vents aft of the front wheels and a subtle wing on the rear deck. Three new colors and three new wheel designs will also be available. Inside the 2008 XJ are new seats that Jaguar claims are more comfortable and take up less space, which increases leg room for rear passengers.

The aluminum chassis remains, of course, as does the same engine lineup as the current model. AutoWeek, however, reports that the XJ will share its future engine lineup with the upcoming XF sedan. We've learned already that the XF will feature an intriguing engine lineup that includes a base 4.2L V8, a supercharged 4.2L V8 producing 420 hp and a supercharged 5.0L V8 producing around 500 hp in the range-topping R-badged models. So we can expect all three engines for the fully redesigned 2010 XJ, as well.

Check out the hi-res image gallery of the new XJ courtesy of NetCarShow.com.

[Source: Autoblog]

Hi-res image gallery and official press release after the jump.



PRESS RELEASE:

NEW LOOK XJ FOR 2008 MODEL YEAR

The 2008 Model Year XJ revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show has again raised the standard for luxury cars offering customers a range of visual changes, technological advances and additional features on all models.

The flagship of the Jaguar range, the XJ continues to be respected and admired by customers throughout the world. Already renowned for its all-aluminium body construction, state-of-the-art technologies, outstanding craftsmanship and build quality, the new XJ is now even more desirable. Since its launch, the model line-up has been extended to include the XJ long wheelbase, the special edition XJR Portfolio, the XJ armoured vehicle and the recently introduced XJ long wheelbase diesel.

A range of four engines – from the highly acclaimed 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine that offers outstanding performance and economy, through to the mighty 4.2-litre supercharged V8, gives customers a choice of rewarding powertrains. Every XJ has automatic transmission and includes many of Jaguar's latest technical features, and of course craftsmanship and quality are high on the list of attributes.

An all-new, distinctive design for the XJ’s front includes a new bumper with revised upper and lower mesh grilles and a new Jaguar Growler badge, giving the 2008 model an unmistakably purposeful appearance. This look is complemented by new side power vents to match those introduced on the beautiful XK, lower body sills and a subtle rear aero spoiler. Over the vents new door mirrors carry integrated indicator lights while upgraded alloy wheels add to the sporting appearance of the 2008 Model Year cars. A 19-inch Carelia wheel is now standard on the Executive models, while all Sovereign models now feature the new 19-inch Polaris wheel. The top-of-the-range XJR now comes with aluminium finish power vents and black painted brake callipers. Additionally, customers will benefit from six new exterior paint colours to choose from for all models – Emerald Fire, Pearl Grey, Crystal Blue, Botanical Green, Vapour Grey and Azure Blue.

The 2008 Model Year XJ also enjoys significant improvements to its interior thanks to new heated front seats standard across the range which have been extensively redesigned to offer even more comfort and support. All Executive models now come with a heated front screen as standard while the XJR features an ‘R’ gearknob as well as heated front seats with air-cooling, an optional choice for the Executive, Sovereign and Sport Premium models. Rear-seat passengers will appreciate greater leg and foot room following revisions to the backs and lower cushions of the front seats. All 2008 Model Year cars feature an upgraded BluetoothTM Connectivity system that allows users to connect up to five approved mobile phones to the car’s own in-car telephone system.

UK Managing Director, Geoff Cousins, said: “XJ sales results in 2006 showed a 25% increase versus 2005 and with these specification enhancements, our customers can benefit from an even better value-for-money proposition. The long wheelbase XJ is now available with a 2.7-litre diesel engine making it an even stronger competitor in the ever-growing chauffeur market and even though an all-new Mercedes S-Class has been launched this year, Business Car readers voted the XJ ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ for the second year running.”

Excellent value-for-money across the range

Enhancements to the XJ product range in the UK simplify the line-up to four trim levels, all offering customers improved value-for-money: Executive, Sovereign, Sport Premium and XJR.

XJ Executive (2.7-litre diesel and 3.0-litre petrol) – The entry level to the range will be the 2.7 diesel and 3.0 petrol Executive models. In addition to the other changes being made to the whole range, these cars now feature a heated front screen as standard, body-coloured power vents and 19” Carelia wheels – a ten-spoke alloy first seen on the XK. Importantly the XJ 08MY Executive models remain competitively priced with the 3.0 petrol starting from £43,540 and the 2.7 diesel from £45,520.

XJ Sovereign (3.0-litre V6 petrol and 2.7-litre diesel, 4.2-litre V8) – The Sovereign adds to the Executive specification with 16-way electric heated front seats, soft-grain leather, satellite navigation system and Bi-Xenon headlights. Additions to the 08MY Sovereign models are body-coloured power vents and an all-new five spoke 19” Polaris wheel. The 3.0 Sovereign XJ will be priced from £49,540 – the 2.7 diesel will be £51,520 while the 4.2-litre naturally aspirated XJ will be priced from £58,040.

XJ Sport Premium (2.7-litre diesel) – The Sport Premium benefits from the styling changes across the range with the addition of body-coloured power vents. Adding to the Executive specification, the Sport Premium features ‘R’ seats with leather seat facings as standard, aluminium veneer, black side window surrounds, Cremona 20” alloy wheels and satellite navigation. The 2.7-litre diesel will be priced from £51,520.

XJR (4.2 Supercharged V8) – Adding to the styling changes across the range, the XJR offers increased value through aluminium finish power vents, a new ‘R’ logo gearknob, black painted brake callipers and heated front seats featuring a cooling option as standard. The XJR will be priced from £60,150.

Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity commented: “Like the new XK, the XJ is engineered to provide relaxing and refined ride quality, yet can deliver highly capable dynamic qualities when required. The stiff lightweight aluminium structure allows for increased performance and great agility, particularly in our XJR which is a true performance car, yet is inherently quiet, refined and comfortable.”

In summary, XJ 08MY provides a series of stylish specification enhancements across the range that deliver an excellent value-for-money proposition for customers. The 2008 Model Year XJ range is available to order from spring this year.


NEW 2008 MODEL YEAR XJ AT A GLANCE

New contemporary exterior styling for more assertive and sporting appearance – including revised front-end design, new side power vents, rear aero spoiler, full width chrome ‘signature blade’ and new rear bumper.

Revised interior with all-new seat design for improved comfort and support. Heated front seats standard across the range with optional air-cooling also available. Increased rear leg and foot room thanks to redesigned front seat backs, which also allow easier access to the back seats. New 19-inch Polaris, Vela and Carelia alloy wheels introduced. Three new exterior paint colours add to customer choice.

XJ range offers a broad choice of V6 and V8 engines including the highly acclaimed 2.7-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel and 400bhp (DIN) 4.2-litre supercharged petrol V8.

All-aluminium body construction ensures sports-car handling, supreme comfort and significant fuel savings over equivalent steel-bodied cars. Every XJ comes with sophisticated safety features such as Computer Active Technology Suspension, Advanced Restraint Technology System, Automatic Speed Limiter and optional Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Latest Bluetooth connectivity is fitted as standard and allows up to five approved phones to be paired to the in-car telephone system. Optional JaguarWatch anti-theft device uses satellite positioning to track potentially stolen vehicles across Europe.

JAGUAR XJ IN DETAIL: A FINE PEDIGREE

When Jaguar’s ground-breaking all-aluminium XJ luxury saloon range was launched in 2003, its remarkable lightweight body helped the car to set new standards in handling, precision and refinement. The aluminium monocoque design is 60% stiffer and 40% lighter than the model it replaced and these major improvements translate into real customer benefits.

Its advanced construction means that even a long-wheelbase XJ model is lighter than many of its key competitors’ standard wheelbase platforms. Thanks to that reduced weight the car can accelerate faster, stop more quickly and turn more purposefully. And it achieves all this without compromise in other areas, for the new XJ range also benefits from superb fuel economy and range, improved rigidity and safety, as well as exceptional ride and comfort.
Since its 2003 introduction the range has been further improved with a long wheelbase version, major new engines such as the 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel, and advanced technologies such as acoustic laminated glass, active engine mounts and Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS).

CATS is used to ensure outstanding body control, refinement and handling. The system constantly monitors the XJ’s lightweight suspension and air springs to offer complete comfort when cruising and total control and responsiveness when called for by automatically lowering and levelling the suspension. The result is awesome high-speed stability and improved aerodynamic efficiency whenever the XJ is called upon to perform.

A group of technologically advanced petrol and diesel engines power the 2008 XJ range. The highly acclaimed 204bhp (DIN) 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 offers outstanding performance and economy, the 240bhp (DIN) 3.0-litre V6 petrol an ideal blend of power and refinement, while the mighty 300bhp (DIN) 4.2-litre V8 and its 400bhp (DIN) supercharged equivalent provide the seamless drive and torque you would expect from any top-of-the-range Jaguar capable of reaching 60mph in as short a time as five seconds flat.

A six-speed automatic transmission provides smooth and sensationally quick gearchanges, and even helps with further weight loss thanks to its compact design. Its ability to handle the high torque outputs of the XJ engine range also allows the gearbox to use higher gears more effectively, helping to lower fuel consumption further.

Class-leading technological advances such as Integrated Acoustic Dampening (IAD) guarantee exceptional levels of refinement and a blissfully quiet cabin environment. IAD uses special acoustic absorbing materials and airtight seals between the bonnet and engine compartment to dramatically reduce engine noise. Acoustic laminated glass then further minimises noise intrusion, while diesel-powered XJs even enjoy electronically controlled active engine mounts which attenuate 90% of engine idle vibration.

Thanks to ground-breaking technologies such as these, the 2008 XJ range defies the conventional wisdom that says a saloon can be dynamic or luxurious, but never both. It is, in contrast, a highly refined, sporting luxury car for people who love to drive.

LOOKS TO MATCH THE PERFORMANCE

The main evolution for the 2008 Model Year XJ is its new exterior design. Changes to the front, sides and rear of every model give the XJ a sportier, more muscular stance and clearly signal the advanced technology that lies at its core.

A new front bumper with revised mesh grilles is unmistakably assertive, leaving no doubts as to the performance credentials of the new XJ. Jaguar Car’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, explains the inspiration behind the new look:

“Every Jaguar must have a distinctive face, something that you cannot mistake if you catch a glimpse of it in your rear-view mirror as it powers up behind you. The new 2008 XJ range meets that challenge thanks to a new grille and bold new bumper style.”

Set into the front bumper are new upper and lower mesh radiator grilles with chromed detailing that accentuate the car’s major air intakes. Behind the front wheels two power vents (in aluminium finish on the supercharged XJR) match those introduced on the beautiful new XK sports car. Over the vents new door mirrors carry integrated indicator lights.

A fully reworked rear end displays a newly reshaped bumper, subtle aero spoiler, revised tailpipe finishers and new badging.

The 2008 Model Year XJ also enjoys significant improvements to its interior thanks to new heated front seats (with optional air-cooling) which have been extensively redesigned to offer even more comfort and support.

Vehicle cabin air is drawn into the cushion and seat back heat exchanger units. The air is then heated or cooled and pumped to the top surface via channels formed within the seat. The perforated seat covers allow the conditioned air to pass through to the passenger.

Heated front seats will still be fitted as standard with the cooling element being available as an option.

All XJ seats will have a new relaxed leather trim and rear-seat passengers will appreciate greater leg and foot room following revisions to the backs and lower cushions of the front seats.

TECHNOLOGY IN HARMONY

Jaguar’s intuitive technology has been designed to empower, not overpower the driver. Features such as satellite navigation, BluetoothTM and audio entertainment systems are supported and controlled by a 7-inch Touch-screen or JaguarVoice control.

The 2008 Model Year XJ benefits from further user-friendly technology such as the latest BluetoothTM connectivity system that allows users to connect up to five approved mobile phones to the car’s own in-car telephone system. The car will then recognise and store the phonebooks, last number dialled lists and call stacks for every device it is paired with.

The entire XJ range carries further intuitive technologies that enhance the driving experience. Many of the car’s main features can be controlled through JaguarVoice, a simple but highly effective voice command function.

Other driver aids include Adaptive Cruise Control which uses microwave radar technology to detect slower cars ahead and adjusts the cruise control speed to maintain a constant distance from the vehicle in front.

Advanced, state-of the-art safety features, such as Adaptive Restraint Technology System use ultrasonic technology to calculate appropriate airbag deployment and force, based on passenger weight and position. Side-curtain airbags, front seat thorax airbags and energy-absorbent front seat backrests ensure a safe driving experience for all occupants.

Posted in: FoMoCo,Geneva,Jaguar