Jaguar XJ (X350)

Jaguar XJ (X350)
Special edition of the Jaguar XJR, 2008
Overview
ManufacturerJaguar Cars
Also called
  • Jaguar XJ6, Jaguar XJ8, Jaguar Vanden Plas, Jaguar XJR, Jaguar XJ Super V8, Daimler Super Eight
Production2002–2009 (83,556 produced)
Model years2004–2010
Assembly
Designer
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car (F)
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedJaguar XK (X150)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission6-speed 6HP26 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • SWB: 3,033 mm (119.4 in)
  • LWB: 3,160 mm (124.4 in)
Length
  • SWB: 5,090 mm (200.4 in)
  • LWB: 5,215 mm (205.3 in)
Width2004-05: 1,859 mm (73.2 in)
Height
  • SWB: 1,448 mm (57 in)
  • LWB: 1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Kerb weight1,790 kg (3,946 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorJaguar XJ (X308)
SuccessorJaguar XJ (X351)

The Jaguar XJ (X350) is a full-size four-door luxury sedan/saloon manufactured and marketed worldwide by Jaguar Cars for model years 2003–2009 as the third generation of the Jaguar XJ saloon,[1][2] carrying the internal designation X350 and the internal designation X358 following its 2007 intermediate facelift. Both the X350 and X358 were available with a six-speed automatic transmission, a range of petrol and diesel engines (V6, V8, and supercharged V8), numerous trim levels, and short wheelbase (2003–2009) or long wheelbase (2005–2009) car body configurations.[3] Extended-length models were the longest vehicles Jaguar had manufactured.[4][5]

The X350 was noted for its advanced electrical systems,[6] self-leveling, adaptive air suspension, and full aluminum unibody chassis and bodywork, among the first for a mass-produced automobile.[7] The bodyshell (body in white) was 40 per cent lighter and 50 percent stiffer than its predecessor,[6] despite its increased overall size.

Styling was a conservative evolution of the previous XJ's styling, and its slatted grille recalled that of the original 1968 XJ Series I.[8] Exterior styling was by principal designer Tom Owen,[9] along with Sandy Boyes, under the design directorship of Geoff Lawson, who died midway through the project, and his successor Ian Callum.[9] The XJ's interior was styled by Giles Taylor.[9][10]

The XJ was manufactured at Jaguar's Browns Lane plant in Coventry and was the final Jaguar to be produced there. With an unpainted and highly polished example of its all-alloy body shell on display, the X350 debuted at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.[6] The full X350/358 generation largely coincided with Jaguar's ownership by Ford's Premier Automotive Group until Tata Motors purchased Jaguar in 2008. Production ended in March 2009 after seven years,[11] with a total production of 83,566.[12]

While it was generally well received and profitable, sales were less than Jaguar had expected.[13] It was followed by the XJ X351.[14]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference cats was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference glance was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Di Pietro, Marco; Visani, Marco (April 2022). Fabrizio, Greggio (ed.). "XJ (X350 - X358)". Guida al Collezionismo: Jaguar Ruoteclassiche (in Italian). No. 138. pp. 96–101.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference longest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference super was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c "Future Classic Friday: Jaguar XJ (X350)". Honest John. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  7. ^ Jensen, Cheryl (22 June 2003). "Behind the Wheel/2004 Jaguar XJ8; A New (Aluminum) Way to Skin a Cat". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  8. ^ Marriage, Oliver (25 February 2003). "Jaguar XJ8 3.5". Auto Express. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Hull, Nick (7 April 2003). "Jaguar XJ Design Development". Car Design News. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  10. ^ Doyle, Eóin (14 June 2018). "The Tailor of Goodwood". Driven to Write. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Last of the Jaguar XJ X350 models". Jaguar-xj-blog.com. 1 March 2004. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  12. ^ Thorley, Nigel (1 April 2013). Jaguar All The Cars, 3rd Edition (3rd ed.). Veloce Publishing. p. 278. ISBN 9781845848101. Retrieved 13 April 2023 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Prins, François. "Seventh Generation Jaguar XJ Saloon – X350 Jaguar's Lightweight Champion". Jaguar Heritage. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  14. ^ Patton, Phil (9 October 2009). "Jaguar Introduces Students to Its Latest XJ". Wheels Blog. Retrieved 21 March 2023.