2004 Jaguar XJR Pictures, Specifications, Information

The introduction of any new XJ range opens a fresh chapter in the story of the Jaguar marque. The new XJ model remains quintessentially true to the core strengths and values that have made generations of the car so popular. For more than three decades, the XJ has been the definitive Jaguar saloon.

Working with the most advanced technologies ever used by Jaguar, the XJ programme team has created a car that blends the ultra-modern with traditional Jaguar values. Lightweight aluminium construction provides new levels of strength, robustness and dynamic ability.

The powerful yet restrained design of Jaguar’s new flagship saloon marks it out as an elegant, luxurious car in the tradition of previous XJ models. But alongside this is the technology and advanced technical design that has made the body construction possible. The new XJ body is manufactured almost entirely from aluminium, a material that has a strong place in Jaguar’s history. Using the same lightweight but ultra-strong techniques that feature in aircraft, the new XJ’s body is an advance on all fronts. The bodyshell (known as the body-in-white or BIW) is some 40 per cent lighter than that of the equivalent steel body. This is the starting point from which spring many of the advantages the XJ enjoys over the competition, not least in relative performance and economy.

Equally important, the new body is 60 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. This brings yet more positive points, including the ability to achieve excellent dynamic performance, safety, refinement and durability.

Another advance in the new XJ is a multi-media entertainment system that allows simultaneous enjoyment of up to three different audio, video or games systems. Screens mounted in the rear of the front seat head restraints display television programmes or games, with headphone capability to avoid disturbing other occupants. As an example, the driver could be listening to the radio or a CD, while one rear seat passenger plays on a games system and the other watches a movie on TV or DVD.

Under the aluminium skin and body of the XJ are new suspension systems that take ride comfort and dynamic qualities to new heights. Based on a further development of the front and rear suspension technologies utilised in the revised S-TYPE, the XJ systems feature an important additional advantage – self-levelling air suspension is fitted as standard across the range. The adoption of air suspension in the new XJ is a first for Jaguar and perfectly complements the aluminium-intensive construction of the double-wishbone systems. Air suspension ensures that full suspension travel is always available by increasing spring stiffness relative to payload. As well as delivering major advantages over traditional coil-spring suspension in respect of comfort and refinement, the air system ensures ride height remains constant regardless of load conditions – an important factor because in the lightweight XJ, vehicle occupants represent a relatively higher proportion of gross vehicle weight. In addition, the air suspension automatically lowers the ride height at speed to improve stability and increase aerodynamic efficiency.