Review of Jaguar XJ 2003-2005
The Mark V model in the late 1940s, the Mark VII of the 1950s and the original XJ6 in the late 1960s have established a great heritage of elegant pubs, and little has changed in the 60 years since. .
The company’s previous slogan, Pace With Grace, synthesizes pretty much every major Jaguar pub. They are sporty, but still seductive and elegant.
Today’s models are no less elegant than classics, even if some people think they are stuck in the past.
Sample clock
The seventh-generation Jaguar XJ saloon appeared in 2003, and once again it searches all the world like a change of the first XJ shown in the late 1960s.
That first car was so beautiful that Jaguar couldn’t seem to let it go, but why was it? That original XJ6 was perfectly balanced, its equilibrium lines still looking fresh after 40 years.
The 2003 XJ8 had a similar balance, although significantly larger than the model it replaced. It is longer, wider and taller than its sibling, and has a longer wheelbase and reduced forward overhangs.
If it looks like a return to the past, the X350, as it is known, isn’t once you look under the skin and see the depth of this cat marking technique as a very new beast.
A constant criticism of big cats over the years is that its outside size has never been translated into the inner room.
The core of the XJ is a monolithic aluminum block mounted with rivets, which cut the weight of a big cat from 200kg or more. Notably, it weighs more than 1500kg.
The lightness clearly passes in driving. XJ feels agile and responsive, with a fast, responsive steering that accurately believes in its physical size.
Although Jaguars has always been a joy to drive, its dynamism and speed have turned it into an elite class occupied by BMW M-Series and Benz AMG models.
Under the elegant, long bonnet of the XJ at launch was the choice of two V8 engines, which in early 2004 were paired with V6 engines.
The V8 option is a 3.5-liter unit and a larger 4.2-liter engine, the latter available in normal and supercharged form.
Both have dual overhead camshaft configurations with four one-cylinder valves. The 3.5-liter version has 196kW at 6300 revs and 345Nm at 4200 revs. The normal 4.2-liter naturally aspirated engine produces 224kW at 6000 revs and 420Nm at 4100 revs.
The large 4.2-liter cracker engine, which provides great power for the XJR, has a capacity of 298kW at 6100 revs and 553Nm at 3500 revs.
All of these drives were then transferred to the blackboard via a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, the last drive going through the rear wheels.
When it came out in 2004, the 3.0-liter dual camshaft on the engine had a capacity of 179kW at 6800 revs and 300Nm at 4100 revs.
With a solid, rigid foundation, the XJ has a stable platform that can support the kind of treatment Jaguar engineers want to achieve, but that’s just the beginning.
Add aluminum self-balancing air springs to adjust the vehicle’s height to match the speed the big cat is driving and Jaguar’s adaptive shock absorbers, and you have a great package.
A stiffer, sportier setup was optional, and there was XJR for the last ride.
Tradition also plays a big part in determining the design of the interior, with leather straps, wood touches and many features like electric seats, adjustable pedals and steering wheel, parking sensors, cruise, air. and super sound system.
So many, so much
Jaguar lost its foothold against German rivals when it, along with the entire British car industry, experienced a crisis in the 1970s and 1980s, due to poor construction quality and technical integrity.
The old marque has no respect it once had. Most of its buyers have switched to BMW or Benz, and newer ones never know it at its best.
For V6 engines pay $ 95,000- $ 105,000; for small V8 engines (2003-2005), $ 98,000- $ 120,000; for larger V8 engines, $ 110,000- $ 130,000.
If you want to go to XJR, you will pay $ 115,000- $ 140,000.
In the store
Average build quality gets dirty before XJ Jags. The problems are mostly silly things that should never happen, but did, and they are very frustrating for the owner. But since Ford took over the quality has improved and there are very few owners to pay attention.
Make sure the service schedule has been followed and especially the oil has been changed.
Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and optional 19 and 20-inch wheels, so be prepared to pay a high price for tire changes.
In a crisis
XJ has a bunch of great safety features – because it needs to be on a car that costs around $ 200,000 when it’s new.
The monocoque chassis, agility, precise steering and its powerful brakes give it the opportunity to escape possible collision situations.
If the metal starts to crumple, the front and side airbags are activated.
At the pump
Being surprisingly light for its size, the XJ is reasonably economical. If you pedal lightly, you can expect to reach 10.5-12.5 liters for 100km
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