Jaguar XJ

The Jaguar XJ is a passenger car model from the British car manufacturer Jaguar , which is classified in the luxury class and represents the manufacturer's top model. The first generation , called Series I , presented on September 26, 1968, was the successor to all previous Jaguar sedans from the 240 (better known under the former name Mark 2 ) to the Jaguar Mark X and the last model, that of the company's founder Sir William Lyons was significantly designed. For decades, the appearance of the vehicles was very similar. With the Jaguar XJ (X351) introduced in 2009 , this tradition was abandoned and the design was completely redesigned.

history

The engine range of the XJ series included the famous XK straight-six and, since 1972, the technically complex V12. From 1986 the newly developed AJ6 in-line six-cylinder units were used, and from 1994 the XJR also had a Roots supercharger. In 1997 the era of the six and twelve cylinders came to an end and the modern AJ-V8 arrived, again in the most powerful version with a supercharger. A V6 petrol engine was added in 2003 and the V6 diesel engine taken over from the S-Type in 2005.

The design of this model series was largely continuously developed by the Series I without losing the most characteristic features, such as the double round headlights on the front. Mainly the XJ was offered as a four-door notchback sedan with five or four seats, only from 1973 to 1977 a two-door, XJ C called coupé was offered.

In addition to the most commonly available equipment such as Classic , Sport or Executive , the even more luxurious Daimler, Sovereign and Vanden Plas models have been available since 1969 and 1972 respectively. These models exist and were mostly in connection with the larger engines and the longer wheelbase. The interior also mostly differs from the simple models . It is also the only model from Jaguar that is offered in a specially protected version.

The Daimler Motor Company , which belongs to Jaguar , offered the Super Eight, a sister model based on the Jaguar XJ. Daimler vehicles were refined and always stood for higher exclusivity. Orders for the Super Eight were no longer accepted after the takeover of Jaguar by the Tata Group . To what extent the Tata Group intends to reactivate the Daimler brand is still unclear.

Jaguar Land Rover unveiled the new Jaguar XJ (X351) on July 9th, 2009. Production of the vehicles began in September 2009, delivery in early 2010. Ian Callum is responsible for the design . The new XJ breaks with many of Jaguar's design traditions and its design is described by Jaguar itself in a press release as "the boldest interpretation yet".

Model series at a glance

construction time	model series	annotation
Series I, II and III
09 / 1968-08 / 1973	XJ Series I	First model in the XJ series and the last to be developed under the direction of company founder Sir William Lyons .
09 / 1973-02 / 1979	XJ Series II	Compared to the first series, the front section was changed and a new ventilation and heating system with automatic air conditioning was used. The grille was now smaller and the indicators went under the raised bumper. Only from this series was there a coupé variant with the suffix C or Two-Door .
03 / 1979-11 / 1992	XJ Series III	The third series features new bumpers with rubber elements and a less rounded roof section. The Daimler and Jaguar models with V12 engines continued to be built until 1992, as no V12 was initially intended for the XJ 40.
XJ40 to X308
10 / 1986-10 / 1994	XJ40	A special feature of this model is the world's first automatic transmission with a manual shift gate. Visually, the Sovereign and Daimler versions could now be distinguished from the standard versions by means of rectangular “styled headlamps”. From 1993, following the redesign of the front end with the XJ 81, there was also a V12 model, as well as the more expensive Majestic with a raised roof and a 125 mm longer wheelbase.
11 / 1994-10 / 1997	X300	Technically still closely related to the XJ 40 , the design of the XJ became more rounded again. In addition to the Classic , Sport and Executive versions , the Sovereign and Daimler models, some with a long wheelbase, were also available as the X 330 .
11 / 1997-03 / 2003	X308	In autumn 1997 the X 300 was carefully further developed; The X 308 is characterized by new engines and a slightly different look with a more rounded radiator grille and indicator glasses.
X350
03/2003–11/2009	X350	The X 350 is the first Jaguar sedan with a standard body made of aluminum and with air suspension. The long wheelbase version was launched in autumn 2004. In late 2006, the XJ received a facelift with sportier bumpers and upgraded interiors.
X351
11/2009 - 07/2019	X351	The optical change is clearly visible on the X351. It is no longer based on its predecessors, but on the XF , not only externally, but also technically. B. the Jaguar Drive Selector or the multifunctional touchscreen available in both models shows.