Jaguar XJ (X308)

The Jaguar XJ (X308) is a full-size luxury saloon manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Cars for years 1997—2003 across two generations and featuring Jaguar's AJ-V8 and Jaguar's independent rear suspension.[3] It was the third and final evolution of the XJ40 platform which had been in production since 1986.

Jaguar XJ (X308)
Jaguar XJR (X308)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Also called	Jaguar Sovereign Jaguar Vanden Plas[1] Jaguar XJR Daimler Eight Daimler Super V8
Production	July 1997—December 2002[2]
Model years	1998–2003
Assembly	Coventry, England
Designer	Geoff Lawson (1995)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.2 L Jaguar AJ-V8 4.0 L Jaguar AJ-V8 4.0 L supercharged Jaguar AJ-V8
Transmission	5-speed ZF 5HP24 automatic 5-speed Mercedes-Benz W5A580 automatic (Supercharged models only)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 2,870 mm (113 in) LWB: 2,995 mm (117.9 in)
Length	SWB: 5,000 mm (197 in) LWB: 5,100 mm (201 in)
Width	1,800 mm (69 in)
Height	SWB: 1,300 mm (51 in) LWB: 1,300 mm (52 in)
Kerb weight	SWB: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) LWB: 1,875 kg (4,134 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar XJ (X300)
Successor	Jaguar XJ (X350)

Exterior

Jaguar XJR, rear view

The X308 kept much of the same exterior styling as its predecessor, carrying its rounded four-headlamp bonnet, low roofline, sloping tail, and wrap-around rear light clusters. From the front, the two generations can be differentiated by the shape of the indicator lenses (rectangular on the X300, oval on the X308), and also by the shape of the fog lamps and lower valance air intake (both of which are more rounded on the X308).[4] The front and rear bumpers were both changed along with the taillights which had red/clear lenses rather than red/grey lenses. The grill surround and badging was slightly changed. The headlight fixtures also included forward parking lights housed with the brights, new to X308.[5]

Interior

Interior (XJR)

The biggest change to the interior on the X308 was to the dashboard, which had remained essentially the same since the original XJ40 with only detail changes over the years. The rectangular instrument binnacle gave way to three deeply recessed dials similar in style to the recently introduced Jaguar XK8. The new fascia also allowed for the restoration of a proper glove compartment, which had been lost when the original XJ40 dash had been retrofitted with a passenger side airbag. Door trim and the design of the center console were also slightly revised.[6]

Mechanicals

Having discontinued production of both the AJ16 inline-six and V12 engines, Jaguar offered only its newly designed V8 engine (named the AJ-V8.) It was available in either 3.2 L or 4.0 L form, although certain markets (such as the United States) only received cars powered by the 4.0 L version. The 4.0 L version was also supercharged in certain models.

Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
3.2 L	240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS)	233 lb⋅ft (316 N⋅m)	ZF 5HP24
4.0 L	290 hp (216 kW; 294 PS)	290 lb⋅ft (393 N⋅m)	ZF 5HP24
4.0 L supercharged	370 hp (276 kW; 375 PS)	387 lb⋅ft (525 N⋅m)	Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic W5A580

No manual gearbox or limited slip differential option were available for any models. Computer-controlled active suspension was available as a feature named "Computer Active Technology Suspension" (CATS).[7]

Models

Instead of the Daimler marque being used in certain markets, the equivalent "Vanden Plas" models were sold under the Jaguar name.

XJ8

The base XJ8 came standard with more equipment than had been fitted to entry-level XJs in the past, including leather upholstery, alloy wheels, and air conditioning. The door mirrors and door handles are body-coloured.[8] The radiator grille, windscreen and rear window surrounds, boot lid plinth, and rain gutters were chromed, while the window frames remained matte black. Interior wood trim is walnut. Rear badging reads "XJ8".[9]

For the home market in September 2000, Jaguar began badging the XJ8 model as "XJ Executive", and fitted as standard rain-sensing wipers, a CD player, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.[10]

Sport

The Sport model was equipped only with the 3.2 L normally aspirated engine, and, in 2002-2003 in the American market with a 4.0 L normally aspirated V8.[11] It offered stiffer suspension, sportier seating and interior colour combinations, and wider/larger wheels than the XJ8. The windscreen and rear window surrounds were painted matt black, as were the rain gutters and window frames for European markets (the US retains chrome surrounds). The radiator grille has metallic grey vertical slats. Rather than a chrome radiator grille surround, the Sport uses a body-coloured surround. Rear badging reads "XJ Sport".

Sovereign

Jaguar Sovereign

The Sovereign represented the highest luxury specification for Jaguar models, sitting next to the XJR, which provides the ultimate performance. Sovereigns featured more elaborate/expensive wood veneer, commonly highly figured burr walnut; with window control/ashtray trim panels also done in wood veneer as opposed to plastic in other models. The Leather is also of a higher quality and often features contrasting piping, with seats being of the traditional fluted style. The suspension setup was biased towards touring and the wheels were normally 16" or 17" to provide high profile tyres for additional ride quality. Computer Active Technology System adaptive suspension was also offered as a rare option.

Externally a Sovereign can be distinguished by the complete use of highly polished steel/chrome work around windows and rear light clusters; as well as polished radiator grill and boot garnish. The cars are simply badged as "Sovereign" with no mention "XJ".

Jaguar also released a long wheelbase version of the Sovereign in 1998. The difference being that the car is around 4 inches longer, with the rear doors being noticeably longer than the front; there is also correspondingly taller rear roof profile to provide additional headroom.

XJR

Jaguar XJR

The XJR is powered by the supercharged version of the 4.0 L V8. It is also equipped with sport suspension, wider wheels and tyres, and matte-black exterior window trim (except in the US market, where the XJR was given chrome window frames and rain gutters.) Like the Sport model, the XJR has a body-coloured radiator grille surround, but with a stainless-steel mesh insert rather than the normal vanes. Other exterior touches include the "XJR" rear badging and larger exhaust outlets.[12]

Available on late XJR models was an "R1" performance option. This included 18" BBS wheels, larger Brembo brakes with cross-drilled rotors, and re-tuned suspension.

The XJR was capable of reaching 97 km/h (60 mph) from a standstill in 5.6 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph).

In 2001, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sir William Lyons' birth, Jaguar produced five hundred examples of a special-edition model named the "XJR 100". Only available in the Anthracite exterior color with charcoal leather upholstery, the interior is trimmed with contrasting red stitching and birdseye maple. It is fitted with a leather-covered sports steering wheel and MOMO shift knob. The XJR 100 uses the Brembo brakes otherwise found on the R1-equipped XJR and 19-inch "Montreal"-style wheels manufactured by BBS.[13]

SE

Produced only in 2002, the SE (Special Equipment) model was fitted with more equipment than the original base model, and was offered at a competitive price. The rear badging read "SE", and the cars were fitted with reverse parking sensors as standard.[14]

Daimler/Vanden Plas

Rear of a Daimler Super V8

The top-of-the-range Daimler marque (sold as the Vanden Plas model in certain markets like the United States) features softer suspension and all available luxury features. They are cosmetically differentiated by the traditional Daimler fluted radiator grille surround and fluted boot-lid plinth.

The Daimler and Vanden Plas cars were also available with the supercharged engine otherwise found only in the XJR. This model was named the Daimler Super V8. In the US market, this combination was available only as a special order though 2001 (with these cars identifiable by their "Vanden Plas Supercharged" rear badging). For US model years 2002 and 2003, the equivalent Super V8 model was then offered. These supercharged long-wheelbase variants were also fitted with Jaguar's proprietary "Computer Active Technology System" (CATS) adaptive suspension.[15] The "Sports" setup from the XJR application, however, is replaced by a "touring" set-up, exclusive to supercharged Daimler and Vanden Plas variants.[16] It is softer and more compliant than the XJR's Computer Adaptive Technology Suspension system.[15]

Production numbers

Model	Production[3]
XJ8 3.2	20,235 (including Executive and SE)
XJ8 3.2 (LWB)	771
XJ8 3.2 Sovereign	2,095
XJ8 3.2 Sovereign (LWB)	385
Sport	1,108
XJ8 3.2 Executive
XJ8 3.2 SE
XJ8 4.0	8,369
XJ8 4.0 (LWB)	148
XJ8 4.0 Sovereign	36,635 (including SE)
XJ8 4.0 Sovereign (LWB)	11,566
XJ8 4.0 SE
XJR	15,203
XJR 100	500
4.0 Vanden Plas (SWB)	1
4.0 Vanden Plas (LWB)	21,080
4.0 Vanden Plas Supercharged	788
Daimler Eight (SWB)	164
Daimler Eight (LWB)	2,119
Daimler Super V8 (SWB)	76
Daimler Super V8 (LWB)	2,387
Total	126,260

Reception

Motor Trend described the X308 as, "a masterful blend of British luxury and American muscle," continuing, "this car makes you feel elegant and gets sweeter by the mile," calling it a "musclecar in a tuxedo."[17] Brian Cooley, an editor of Roadshow by CBS, called the X308 his "favorite modern car."[18] In 2018, Motorious claimed the X308 provides the most luxurious ride of any car ever produced due to its status as the "last steel-bodied XJ and the first to feature a modern V8 drivetrain, the perfect concoction of classic and contemporary Jaguars," continuing that, "this is a car that fits anywhere it goes, be that the supermarket car park, a country hotel or even outside the Casino de Monte-Carlo."[19] Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear remarked that the X308 is "faster, in the real world, than a Ferrari F355... fastest saloon I've ever seen," the epitome of luxury, beauty, and performance.[20]

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1. The Sophisticated Vanden Plas, www.jaguar.ca, as archived at web.archive.org on 10 February 2001
2. Adams, Keith (23 July 2011). "The cars : Jaguar X300/X308". AROnline. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
3. Thorley, Nigel (September 2003). Jaguar: All the Cars. Haynes Publishing. ISBN 1-84425-001-6.
4. "Jaguar XJ Series X308 parts (exterior)". Jaguar classic parts. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
5. "Jaguar XJ Model X300 - X308 specs". Automobile-catalog. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
6. "Jaguar XJ X308 interior specs". Jaguar classic parts. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
7. "X308 Owner's Guide - Gearboxes specs". Jaguar-World. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
8. "1998 Jaguar XJ8 interior specs". Cars.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
9. "1997-2003 Jaguar XJ8 specs". Automobile-catalog. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
10. "Review of Jaguar XJ8 exec. specs". WhatCar. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
11. "Jaguar X308 sport review and specs". auto-scape. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
12. "Jaguar XJR (1998) review". The truth about cars. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
13. Gibbs, Rebecca. "XJR 100 Road Test". Jaguar-World. Jaguar World Monthly. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
14. "2002 Jaguar XJ8 SE". Automobile-catalog. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
15. "2003 Jaguar Super V8 Daimler". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
16. "2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas specs". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
17. Bartlett, Jeff (1 May 2000). "'98 Jaguar XJR - Long-Term Wrap-Up". Motor Trend. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
18. Cooley, Brian (9 January 2016). "The cars of CNET Car Tech editors: Brian Cooley (photos)". CNET. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
19. "Why We Love The Jaguar XJ X308". Motorious. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhEMEVlIeo4

External links