New breed of a CAT

JAGUAR XJ

New breed of a CAT Jaguar's new flagship is the brand's most radical model ever in decades that should shake up the luxury saloon segment in terms of sheer desirability Published: 17/07/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: Motoring

- Styling & Packaging

Jaguar is embarking on a revolutionary design strategy by making the all-new XJ a completely different car from its traditionally blooded predecessors.

By looking similar to the C-XF concept car, the XJ properly complements the presence of the smaller XF executive saloon. The C-XF's sleek head lamps, which have been decried by fans of not appearing in the XF, now make it to the XJ.

The tail lamps of the XJ are a new element for the British luxury marquee, while the heavily raked profile underscores Jaguar's desire to branch away from its more conservative rivals like the BMW 7-series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-class.

The coupe'-like saloon trend is now picking up momentum, as evidenced in the Mercedes CLS, Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and the pending Lamborghini Estoque.

Jaguar has raised the bar by giving the XJ a standard panoramic glass-top and claims that the XJ is equally as aerodynamic as the XF with a Cd value of 0.29.

Instrument panels look conventional but are actually virtual 3D.

Like before, the XJ's body is made from aluminium to make it 150kg lighter than a comparable rival model, at around 1,650kg. Jaguar adds that 50% of the body is made from recycled materials, thus reducing the carbon footprint in manufacturing.

Along with rear-wheel-drive, the lightweight body would give the XJ its notable handling traits in the class. Air suspension with variable damping and differential control add up to driving dynamics.

To match its mainstay competition, Jaguar will again be offering short and long wheelbase bodies with 125mm differentiating the two. The normal body has 3,305mm of metal between the front and rear axles.

The interior of the XJ has also gone radical. Although the instrument panel looks familiar, the dials are actually 12.3-inch virtual display. This technology was first used in the Range Rover that was updated recently in Europe.

There is also an eight-inch touch screen in the fascia enabling the front passenger and driver to view different functions at the same time. Mercedes-Benz was first to feature this in this year's facelifted S-class.

- Engine & Transmission

Long wheelbase is available for those needing more rear space.

The engine lineup initially consists of one diesel and two petrol engines improved just this year with the latest in direct-injection technologies.

All get six-speed electronic automatic transmission as standard and are operated via a pop-up rotary dial on the console like in the XF and XK Coupe'/Cabriolet.

In fact, these enhanced engines have already been introduced in the XF and XK, as well as Discovery 4 and Range Rover from sister-brand Land Rover. The diesel engine has also been extended to two outsiders: Citroen C6 and Peugeot 407 Coupe'.

Following are the engines for the XJ at launch:

- 275hp 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that's capable of 14.1kpl on the average and propelling the XJ to 100kph in 6.4sec.

- 385hp 5.0-litre V8 and a supercharged version of it producing two outputs: 470hp and 510hp, the latter with a 4.9sec time.

Although not announced yet, sources told Motoring that a 3.0-litre V6 would be offered in Thailand with power detuned from 240hp down to 219, as well as being able to run on E20 bio-fuel. This exact unit is currently used in the XF 3.0.

Also likely is a less powerful version of the 3.0-litre diesel producing around 240hp. Should the Thai agent opt for this, power could also be tuned to less than 220hp. However, its particulate filter would need to be removed to cope with Euro 3 emission standard in Thailand to avoid long-term damage.

- Market & Pricing

The all-new XJ was previewed to a special audience in London, UK, late last week with the general public getting to see it for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Although production starts when the XJ makes its world debut at the motor show, Jaguar has already announced pricing probably due to the fierce competition in the luxury car market. Also going on sale in September is the Panamera.

Broadly speaking, the XJ will be pitched at prices of the 7-series and S-class. First to come to Thailand early next year will be the range-topping Super Sport with the distinctive supercharged motor at some B15m.

The 5.0 would cost around B10-11m to square off the battle with 740Li, S500L and LS460L in either Premium Luxury or Portfolio trims. A 1200W sound system from Bowers & Wilkins will also be offered.

The core-selling model - 3.0-litre petrol V6 in long wheelbase form - is set to come later in 2010. Due to the detuned power and E20-capability, this entry-level XJ will attract just 35% excise duty and help partially offset the 80% import duty it faces.

XJ will not only chase S-class customers but CLS clients as well.

This could make the XJ prices start at less than B8m to compete effectively with the locally assembled S300, although executives at Jaguar Cars Thailand admit that it will be difficult to convert S-class buyers in Thailand due to the strong image of Mercedes-Benz.

Instead, it will try to chase BMW punters, as well as less conservative luxury car buyers who may opt for the CLS, Panamera/Cayenne or Range Rover.

Since BMW is eyeing to build the 730d (with a 3.0-litre diesel detuned to less than 220hp) in Thailand next year to compete with the S320 CDI (also retuned to 211hp), Jaguar could follow suit.

Motoring has learned that Jaguar has sounded out Thai customers about diesel engine, and should there be demand in other Asean markets (also on Euro 3), Jaguar Cars UK could make a special regional homologation for the diesel XJ, strip it of particulate filter, an exhaust component designed for Euro 4 level, at least.

Click