Jaguar XJ (X351)
The Jaguar XJ is the fourth generation of the Jaguar XJ saloon manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Jaguar. Announced in 2009, and going on sale from 2010, the X351 combines revised styling with underpinnings of the previous X350 generation.
Overview
Jaguar invited Jay Leno to unveil the new XJ during the launch at the Saatchi Gallery in London on 9 July 2009. The event was broadcast live on the Jaguar website. The US model was unveiled at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.Production of the car was due to begin in September 2009, with first deliveries being made in early 2010. Production later began in 2010, with the car arriving in dealer showrooms in May 2010. Production was initially carried out only at the Castle Bromwich Assembly plant in Birmingham, England. From 2014, assembly from complete knockdown kits of the XJ commenced at Jaguar Land Rover's facility in Pune, India.
Design
The XJ was designed at Jaguar Land Rover's Whitley plant in Coventry, by a team led by design director Ian Callum. Design work began in 2005, with final design approval taking place in November 2006 and the design being frozen in the first half of 2008.The new design is a complete departure from any earlier XJ model, although mechanically the car is a development of its predecessor.
Models
In addition to the standard version with a wheelbase, a long-wheelbase version is available with a wheelbase. At the 2010 Moscow Motor Show, a high security version of the car called the XJ Sentinel was introduced. This is an armoured version of Long Wheelbase XJ with B7-level ballistic protection as well as providing protection against 15 kg TNT or equivalent explosive. It has the 5.0 L supercharged V8 engine shared with the XJ Supersport having a power output of and 19-inch wheels with Dunlop Self Supporting Technology run-flat tyres.However, unlike other full-size flagship executive cars, the long-wheelbase variant was designed first and is expected to make up 67 percent of sales in the United States market.
| Models | Luxury | Premium Luxury | Portfolio | Supersport | Sentinel |
| Engines | 3.0 L diesel V6 | 3.0 L diesel V6, 5.0 L V8 | 3.0 L diesel V6, 5.0 L V8, 5.0 L supercharged V8 | 3.0 L diesel V6, 5.0 L supercharged V8 | 5.0 L supercharged V8 |
| Wheels | Meru 18-inch alloy | Aleutian 19-inch alloy | Kasuga 20-inch alloy | Mataiva 20-inch alloy | Aleutian 19-inch alloy |
Engines
The engine used by the X351 are enlarged and upgraded versions of the previously used V8 petrol and V6 diesel engines.| Model | Type | Power and torque | Acceleration 0–100 km/h | Top speed |
| 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 Diesel AJ-V6D GEN III | , | at 4,000, at 2,000 | 6.4 | |
| 5.0-litre V8 Petrol AJ-V8 GEN III | , | at 6,500, at 3,500 | 5.7 | |
| 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 Petrol AJ-V8 GEN III | , | at 6,000–6,500, at 2,500–5,500 | 5.2 | |
| 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 Petrol AJ-V8 GEN III | V8 supercharged, | at 6,000–6,500, at 2,500–5,500 | 4.9 | |
| 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 Petrol AJ-V8 GEN III | V8 supercharged, | at 6,000–6,500, at 2,500–5,500 | 4.6 |
Transmission and top speed
All 2010 models of the Jaguar XJ include standard six-speed automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift carried over from the X350, the main change being steering wheel shift paddles rather than the "J" gate gear selector. The XJ has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, although the limiter has been raised to 280 km/h for the XJR model. An eight speed automatic transmission was introduced from 2013 onwards.Chassis
The XJ features a lightweight aluminium floorpan and body based on the X350 chassis and retaining a proportion of the earlier floor pan. The biggest change is reversion to steel coil springs for the front suspension, retaining air suspension for the rear only. Continuously variable damping is electronically controlled as before but with driver selectable modes. The aluminium alloy uni-body makes the XJ L among the lightest of the full-size executive saloons despite its exterior proportions, weighing in at, which is lighter than the mid-size/executive BMW 550i.Equipment
Driver information and entertainment is provided by a Bowers & Wilkins 1,200-watt, 20-speaker Dolby 7.1 surround-sound systemand a bi-directional touch screen display - on which the driver can only see the vehicle functions, but a front passenger can simultaneously view a DVD movie or a television transmission. Standard equipment levels on the United States-spec XJ L with the base engine includes a panoramic dual-pane moonroof, lane-departure warning, navigation, quad-zone climate control and power sunshades, which is considered to be generous at this price point compared to other flagship executive saloons.
Fuel economy and emissions
The diesel engine version will have a fuel economy of better than and a emission rating of 184 g/km.Special uses
On 11 May 2010, then British Prime Minister, David Cameron, took delivery of the dark grey of Jaguar XJ Sentinel as his official transport. In 2011, David Cameron took the delivery of another XJ Sentinel featuring "bomb proof" doors, bullet proof glass and armoured plating beneath the floor of the car, respectively replacing the previous XJ Sentinel. The car is in use by the current British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Model year changes
2011
New options include:- New Rear Seat Comfort package, which incorporates electric recline, lumbar adjustment and massage functions to reinforce the ultimate executive limousine experience.
- Executive Pack option is added to XJL Portfolio model, which includes provision of fold-down laptop trays and an electric rear sunblind, upgraded carpeting, combination wood and leather steering wheel, gloss wood veneer choices and chrome mirror housings.
- Sport and Speed Pack option, which includes a new front splitter and rear spoiler, suede headliner, sport seats with contrasting stitching, bright metal pedals, either piano black or carbon-fiber interior trim, gloss black exterior trim, red brake calipers, and Venom 20-inch wheel design. The speed governor is relaxed from to.
- Illumination Package is available as option of other XJ models.
- 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine for selected markets, launched in China
XJ 5.0 V8 Portfolio Prestige
Based on XJ L Portfolio with a 5.0-litre V8 engine, it includes XJ rear seat comfort pack and gloss oak interior veneer as standard equipment.
XJ Ultimate
The XJ Ultimate is a special model introduced in 2011. Available only in the long wheelbase configuration, the car was developed by the Jaguar Land Rover's specialist Engineered To Order division and was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.Mechanical equipment for the US model includes a 5.0 L supercharged V8 engine rated at and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XJ went on sale in late 2012 as 2013 model year vehicle.
In India, the XJ Ultimate is available with a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that costs or with a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine that costs.
2012
Changes include:- Introduction of a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine
- Eight-speed automatic transmission for all models
- Jaguar's Intelligent Stop/Start system extended to all V6 and V8 petrol and all diesel engines
- The supercharged V8 petrol engine has fuel economy gains of up to 11% with emissions reductions of more than 8%, while the naturally-aspirated V8 sees economy improvements of up to 8% with emissions down by more than 6%.
- Optional sound systems developed by British ultra-premium specialist Meridian. Available in two power outputs - 380 W and 825 W - both featuring multiple channel amplifiers and Digital Signal Processing software powering an array of loudspeakers.
- Infotainment system updates enhance the audio and navigation interfaces and usability.
- Suspension enhancements to the XJ further optimise passenger comfort.
XJR (2013–present)
The XJR was initially unveiled at 2013 New York Auto Show, followed by the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The US model went on sale as 2014 model year vehicle.