Jaguar XJ (X358)

Jaguar XJ (X358)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Land Rover
Also called	XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8
Production	2007–2009
Assembly	Birmingham, England
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L AJ-V6 V6 4.2 L AJ-V8 V8 4.2 L supercharged AJ-V8 V8 2.7 L TDVi AJD-V6 V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 119.4 in (3,033 mm) LWB: 124.4 in (3,160 mm)
Length	SWB: 200.4 in (5,090 mm) LWB: 205.3 in (5,215 mm)
Width	76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Height	SWB: 57 in (1,448 mm) LWB: 57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Kerb weight	3,946 lb (1,790 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar XJ (X350)
Successor	Jaguar XJ (X351)

The Jaguar X358 was a facelifted version of the X350 for the 2008 model year unveiled at the end of February 2007. The vehicle is produced at the Castle Bromwich Assembly plant in Birmingham, United Kindom.

Exterior

Jaguar gave the car a mildly revised front grille, though still of a similar design to that of the pre-facelift XJ (rather than following the contemporary design language of the Jaguar XF) while the new front bumper assembly featured a prominent lower grille. The Jaguar Logo was changed from the 3D bonnet ornament to the logo of the Jaguar face within the grille that was currently also found on the front of the XK and XF.^[1] The front lights had detail changes while the revised door mirrors incorporated side repeaters. The front wings on all models were remodelled to feature side vents, previously the preserve of the Super V8 Portfolio (and XJR Portfolio in the UK), while the side sills, rear bumper and tail lights were revised. The interior was only slightly changed, featuring resculptured front seats that gave additional support and more legroom in the rear, allowing rear passengers over a metre of legroom.^[2]

Specifications

Models

UK

As of November 2007, the following XJ models are available in the UK:

• XJ 2.7D Executive
• XJ 2.7D Sport Premium
• 3.0-litre Executive
• 2.7D, 3.0-litre, and 4.2-litre Sovereign
• 4.2-litre supercharged XJR
• Daimler Super Eight

These models with the 2.7-litre diesel engine or with the 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine are also known as the XJ6 (since the engines have six cylinders), while the 4.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine mounted in the Sovereign results in that model being known as the XJ8.^[3] Also notice that the model list for the UK does not include the 3.5-litre V8 engine available in Germany, for example.^[4]

Germany

From May 2007, the following models were available in Germany:

• XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Classic
• XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Executive
• XJ6 3 litre Executive
• XJ8 3.5 litre Executive
• XJ8 4.2 litre Executive
• XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Sovereign
• XJ8 3.5 litre Sovereign
• XJ8 4.2 litre Sovereign
• XJR 4.2 litre V8 Kompressor (i.e. the supercharged V8 variant)
• Daimler Super Eight

USA

From May 2007, the following XJ models were available in the US:

• XJ8
• XJ8L
• XJ Vanden Plas (this model was equivalent to 'Daimler' in Europe; the name 'Daimler' was not used by Jaguar in the US)
• XJR
• XJ Super V8

Notice: the XJ6 and the XJ 2.7D are not available in the US, unlike in Europe. The 'L' on the XJ8L badge denotes the long-wheelbase version.

Engines

Transmission

All models use the same ZF six-speed automatic transmission, XJ6 petrol versions have a lower final drive ratio.^[5]

In popular culture

This Jaguar XJ (X358) also featured in an episode of BBC 2's Top Gear, where it drove from Basel to Blackpool Tower on one tank of fuel. Despite the 650-mile (1,050 km) pre-defined range, Jeremy Clarkson, who was driving the car at the time, had actually driven 800 miles (1,300 km), and after examining the tank, had enough fuel to do another 120 miles (190 km), making its range about 1,000 miles (1,600 km). Clarkson then described the car as "astonishing" and "the second most economical car in the world", finishing just after Richard Hammond in a Polo.^[6]

References

External links

• Jaguar global brochure
• Jaguar DE brochure