Segment: Upper Premium
Production years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Jaguar introduced a completely new XJ model in 1997, marking a solid comeback on the luxury sedan market.
When Ford bought Jaguar in 1990, it found a great car manufacturer in a bad financial shape. The Coventry-based carmaker had only old models, such as the XJS and the XJ flagship, which were not so young and appealing anymore. Moreover, its engines were outdated, and there was a risk they won't get the Euro 3 emission test approval. So Ford stepped in and pumped the money needed to improve the lineup. In 1996, the British carmaker replaced the 25 years-old XJS with the XK and, in the following year, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it revealed the XJ8.
While the car was based on the same 1985 XJ40 platform, it featured a completely new design. Its quad, round headlights in individual clusters and the split-grille at the front made a clear distinction over its competitors. By 1997, none of its competitors made round headlights anymore. Another sign of recognition was the low greenhouse and the sloped-down trunk lid.
Inside, the carmaker installed a luxurious, hand-crafted interior with wood veneers and expensive leather. The instrument panel displayed three separate clusters for the speedometer, tachometer, and a third one for the coolant temperature and fuel level. On the center stack, the carmaker installed a new sound system carried over from Ford, while the center console hosted the gear-lever for the automatic transmission. But unlike its main competitors, the XJ didn't provide too much room for the rear seat occupants.
Under the hood, Jaguar installed its new V-8 engines introduced on the XK8. It paired it with a five-speed automatic gearbox provided by ZF.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L V8 5AT RWD (240 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 3248 cm3 |
Power: | 179 KW @ 6350 RPM 240 HP @ 6350 RPM 240 BHP @ 6350 RPM |
Torque: | 233 lb-ft @ 4350 RPM 316 Nm @ 4350 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 139.8 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/55 ZR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 197.6 in (5019 mm) |
Width: | 70.9 in (1801 mm) |
Height: | 51.6 in (1311 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/59.1 in (1,501/1,501 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.5 cuFT (411 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.37 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3769.9 lbs (1710 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4982.4 lbs (2260 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 13.8 mpg US (17 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 19.4 mpg US (12.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 289 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 4.0L V8 5AT RWD (290 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 3996 cm3 |
Power: | 216 KW @ 6100 RPM 290 HP @ 6100 RPM 290 BHP @ 6100 RPM |
Torque: | 290 lb-ft @ 4250 RPM 393 Nm @ 4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 149.1 mph (240 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/60 ZR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 197.6 in (5019 mm) |
Width: | 70.9 in (1801 mm) |
Height: | 51.6 in (1311 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/59.1 in (1,501/1,501 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.5 cuFT (411 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.37 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3814 lbs (1730 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4982.4 lbs (2260 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 13.9 mpg US (16.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 19.8 mpg US (11.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 284 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 4.0L V8 5AT RWD (290 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 3996 cm3 |
Power: | 216 KW @ 6100 RPM 290 HP @ 6100 RPM 290 BHP @ 6100 RPM |
Torque: | 290 lb-ft @ 4250 RPM 393 Nm @ 4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 149.1 mph (240 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/60 ZR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 202.7 in (5149 mm) |
Width: | 70.9 in (1801 mm) |
Height: | 52.5 in (1334 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/59.1 in (1,501/1,501 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.5 cuFT (411 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.37 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3814 lbs (1730 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4982 lbs (2260 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 13.7 mpg US (17.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |