Jaguar X308

jaguar
Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas
X308
Sales designation:	XJ
Production period:	11 / 1997-03 / 2003
Class :	Upper class
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 3.2-4.0 liters (177-267 kW)
Length:	5024-5148 mm
Width:	1798 mm
Height:	1315-1351 mm
Wheelbase :	2870-2995 mm
Empty weight :	1710-1775 kg
Previous model	Jaguar X300
successor	Jaguar X350

The Jaguar XJ (X308) is a luxury sedan of the XJ series from the British car manufacturer Jaguar . Based on the XJ40 platform introduced in 1986, V8 engines were used for the first time in the XJ series, which had been available since 1968, instead of the previous 6- and 12-cylinder units. The body design, which only differs in details from the predecessor X300 , was created under the direction of the then Jaguar chief designer Geoff Lawson .

history

The X308 is a further development of the X300 that appeared in 1994 , which in turn represents a facelift of the XJ40 series, which appeared in 1986, despite a significantly changed exterior design . While the exterior design was largely adopted from the predecessor X300, the interior, especially the door panels and the cockpit, received a clear redesign with softer, more curved lines. The X308 was presented in autumn 1997 and took over the V8 engine AJ-V8 with 3.2 and 4.0 liters displacement , which had already been introduced in the previous year in the Coupè and Cabriolet series X100 . With a naturally aspirated engine, the Jaguar X308 was offered as the XJ8 , XJ Executive , Sovereign or Daimler V8 . The supercharged version of the AJ-V8 4.0 displacement and 267 kW / 363 PS was used in two distinctly different model variants, in the sporty-trimmed Jaguar XJR and in the comfort and luxury-oriented Daimler Super V8 (in some non-European markets referred to as Jaguar 4.0 Vanden Plas Supercharged ). In the '99 model year, the AJ-V8 naturally aspirated engines with the internal designation AJ-26 were replaced by the revised AJ-27 units. The AJ-26S charged by an Eaton compressor was replaced by the AJ-27S in the following year. The power transmission takes place exclusively via five-speed automatic to the rear wheels .

Externally, compared to its predecessor, the X300, the model can be recognized by its rounder radiator grille, clear-glass headlights at the front, red and white (instead of red and gray) rear lights, oval indicators (front) and side reflectors, as well as the chrome trim that is only attached to the corners of the plastic bumpers . All variants except for the base model XJ8 and the sports model XJR could be ordered with a short wheelbase (SWB = Short Wheel Base) or with a wheelbase extended by 12.5 cm (LWB = Long Wheel Base). The entire additional length benefits from greater legroom in the rear.

The X308 was built until spring 2003 and was then replaced by the X350 with an aluminum body . A total of 126,260 X308 vehicles were built.

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  Jaguar XJR 100

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  Daimler Super V8

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  Rear view

literature

• Stertkamp, ​​Heiner: Jaguar - The complete chronicle from 1922 to today. 2nd edition, Heel Verlag , Königswinter (2006), ISBN 3-89880-337-6
• Puthz, Martin: Jaguar XJ and all models from 1922 until today Delius Klasing Verlag , Bielefeld (2010), ISBN 978-3-7688-2692-1

Web links

Commons : Jaguar XJ (X308)  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files