JAGUAR XJR PORTFOLIO

Jaguar's long-standing commitment to creating beautiful, contemporary, fast cars is reinforced once again with the unveiling of the new, special edition 400bhp XJR Portfolio. This supercharged performance saloon continues the evolution of the design cues first seen on the striking Concept Eight show car which starred at the New York International Auto Show in 2004.

The Concept Eight was the first time that Jaguar had shown its new performance styling to the public and the reaction was so positive that many of its key design details, such as the eye-catching polished wheels, side power vents and Satin American Walnut trim, were soon to grace the long-wheelbase XJ Super V8 Portfolio, a special edition XJ produced for the USA and other key European and global markets.

Now, the new XJR Portfolio continues the successful theme of exclusive, sporting saloons with attitude, power and a modern character.

'The Jaguar XJR is one of the most distinguished sporting luxury saloons in the world. The XJR Portfolio enhances this reputation further with its unique exterior and interior styling cues,' says Bibiana Boerio, Jaguar Cars, managing director.

XJR PORTFOLIO AT-A-GLANCE

• Special edition standard wheelbase XJR that follows on from the Concept Eight design study and Super V8 Portfolio long-wheelbase special edition

• Only 100 units for the UK market

• 400bhp (SAE) supercharged V8 power and six-speed ZF automatic transmission, for unparalleled blend of sporting performance and superb refinement

• Contemporary, sporting exterior design cues, including sculpted polished aluminium side power vents, bright mesh grille, chrome-finished exhaust system, polished 20-inch Callisto wheels and Midnight black exterior paint

• Luxury interior combines a contemporary feel with driver-focussed technology such as the facia-mounted Touchscreen, JaguarVoice control and Bluetooth® connectivity

• New aluminium weave veneer finish for facia, ‘R' sports seats, aluminium J-gate surround, chrome and leather gearknob, leather-edged footwell mats

• All the engineering strengths, performance, safety, economy and dynamic brilliance of the XJR, with advanced aluminium monocoque construction for maximum rigidity with minimum weight - the basis for a great driver's car.

DESIGN

The XJR Portfolio's dramatic styling is a direct evolution of the highly acclaimed 2004 Concept Eight show car. It uses a classically simple mesh grille, flanked by four headlights above a deep front air intake to produce that unmistakeable Jaguar front end. And from the side the sculpted aluminium power vents in its front wings immediately set it apart from any other XJR.

'When we came to design the Portfolio edition we decided to allow the XJR to express itself,' explains Jaguar Cars design director Ian Callum. 'So we used aluminium and chrome to make parts of the car stand out like jewellery. You won't be able to miss those bold 20-inch alloy wheels or the purposeful side power vents. And inside the cabin the blend of modern materials such as aluminium with classic Jaguar leathers and veneers means we can create a luxurious but contemporary interior.'

Indeed, the XJR Portfolio's contemporary, sporting character can be defined by its 20-inch ‘Callisto' alloy wheels - with the same highly-polished five-spoke design as the Concept Eight but promising better everyday durability and ride comfort for the production car. Like the show car's wheels they have slim, elegantly curved spokes, and also feature the classic Jaguar script centre badge style - combining heritage with a modern twist.

The XJR Portfolio will be available in bold Midnight black paint while its seats are upholstered in Ivory leather. The upper facia is finished in warm charcoal and is matched with an aluminium veneer and door trims. Both front and rear seats have variable heating and the driver's seat includes lumbar and cushion length power adjust with full memory function. To add to that unique performance feel, the XJR Portfolio also sports an aluminium J-gate gearlever surround and chrome and leather gearknob.

In-car entertainment is provided by the 12-speaker Jaguar Alpine Premium sound system - including 320 watt amplifier, subwoofers and CD changer. Bluetooth® connectivity for in-car mobile phone usage is also standard.

DRIVING DYNAMICS

The all-aluminium construction methods that Jaguar introduced with the latest generation XJ saloon in 2003 broke new ground in the volume automotive industry. Unlike other aluminium-bodied cars, the XJ family uses full stressed-skin monocoque construction and its entire body structure, including all the outer panels, is manufactured from aluminium.

As well as sheet material, many parts of the XJ are produced by the latest forming, casting, extrusion and machining processes. Magnesium is also used in specific areas to reduce weight. Many of these very advanced assembly techniques have been adopted from the aerospace industry, including adhesive bonding and self-piercing rivets - in effect replicating the use of seam welding and spot welding on a conventional steel monocoque, but with a huge saving in weight, and massive gains in strength and torsional stiffness.

As a result, the XJR Portfolio is around 200kg lighter than the equivalent model from five years ago, with significant benefits in performance, safety, economy and emissions performance. It also offers exceptional corrosion resistance (allowing a six-year anti-corrosion warranty) and easier repairs following minor impacts.

The XJR Portfolio's immense performance capabilities stem not just from its lightweight body but from its renowned 400bhp (SAE) supercharged 4.2-litre V8 engine, which also has 408lb ft of torque at only 3,500 rpm - with at least 86 per cent of that peak torque figure produced across a wide range from only 2,000 rpm to well beyond the torque peak point.

That excellent engine is matched by the superb six-speed ZF automatic transmission. Like the engine, it is notably light and compact and features Bosch Mechatronic shift - an electro-hydraulic shift mechanism whose adaptive shift strategy (controlled by the engine management) responds to both road conditions and the way the car is being driven, to give the smoothest shifts with optimum performance. In the XJR Portfolio, this combination gives an electronically limited maximum speed of 155mph and 0-60mph in exactly 5.0 seconds.

As with all models in the XJ range, the XJR Portfolio edition uses air suspension matched with Jaguar's Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) system. CATS continuously adjusts the car's damping characteristics, from firm to soft in milliseconds, to suit the driving conditions, optimising both ride and handling. Steering is by ZF Servotronic power assistance, and the XJR Portfolio uses a high-performance brake system, with ventilated front discs and four-piston aluminium monobloc callipers plus four-channel ABS anti-lock brakes and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). Electronic Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) are also standard.

The XJR Portfolio also features Jaguar's Adaptive Restraint Technology System, A.R.T.S., combining dual-stage front airbags, ultrasonic front passenger sensing, an energy absorbing seating system incorporating an anti-whiplash mechanism in the front seats, and pyrotechnic pre-tensioners for all seat belts. Safety equipment also includes chest airbags in the driver and front passenger seat bolsters, side air curtains all round and ISOFIX rear child-seat attachment points.

The new XJR Portfolio will be previewed at the London Motor Show on July 18, 2006. Sales begin in September 2006 with an on-the-road price of £62,040.

by Jaguar

The Jaguar XJ series began in 1968 and has continued in various forms and Series into modern times. The first 'Mark' was introduced in 1968 and continued until 1992. During this time there were three series, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3. In 1986 Jaguar introduced the Mark II which continued until 2002. During this time there were the XJ40, XJ81, X300, X305, and X308. The Mark III was introduced in 2003.

Sir John William hailed the JX series as 'the finest Jaguar ever.' The 'XJ' designation had been used during the vehicle development as its codename. When the vehicle was introduced, the codename persisted. When introduced it was powered by a six-cylinder engine that came in either 2.8- or 4.2-liter displacement. In 1972 a 5.3-liter V12 unit was introduced with a total of 3,235 examples being produced its introductory year. From 1968 through 1973, Jaguar produced 82,126 examples of the XJ Series I.

The Jaguar XJ Series II, commonly known as the Series II, was introduced in 1973. It brought mild aesthetic improvements over the prior years. One of the more visual indications of a Series II from a Series I was the smaller front grille. A 3.4-liter engine became available in 1975. In total, 91,227 examples of the Series II were produced with 14,226 being outfitted with the 12-cylinder engine. 8378 examples were of the two-door XJ Coupes which were produced from 1975 through 1978.

The Series II vehicles had a reputation for pool build quality which was partly due to outsourced components. The XJC versions were plagued with loud wind noise and water leakage.

A limited number of XJC pillar-less hardtop coupes were produced from 1975 through 1978. These are commonly known as the XJC. Their chassis's were constructed on the short-wheelbase version of the XJ. They came equipped with either the six or twelve-cylinder engine. An extensive amount of labor was required in order to modify the saloon body to create the XJC. The labor-intensive process and high sticker price was part of the reason only 8378 examples were produced.

In 1979 Jaguar unveiled the Series 3 which remained in production until 1992. The famous design studio, Pininfarina, had been tasked with incorporating design enhancements for the long-wheelbase version. The results were stunning.

The Series III was powered by six- and 12-cylinder engines. In the six-cylinder form, the owner could select either the 3.4-liter or 4.2-liter unit. The V12 unit had 5.3-liters in displacement size. The larger six-cylinder engine and the 12-cylinder unit both utilized Bosch fuel injection. The smaller six used carburetors and now offered for sale in the US.

In total, there were 132,952 examples of the Series III produced. A small percentage of those, 10,500, were equipped with the 12-cylinder engine. In 1987 Jaguar ceased production of the Series III XJ with the six-cylinder engines. The Series III with the 12-cylinder power-plant continued until 1992.

The Series III brought with its cruise control and a sunroof as optional equipment. The Vanden Plas option was introduced in 1982 and intended for the US market. This designation indicated the top-of-the-line offering for the Jaguar XJ which included the twelve-cylinder engine and many luxury items as standard equipment.

The Project XJ40 had been in development by British Leyland (Jaguar) since the 1970's. Designs by Pininfarina were submitted but ultimately, Jaguar decided to stick with its internal design studio for their newest creation. There were delays with the project which delayed its introduction. These delay's, which included the unforeseen fuel crisis, meant the Jaguar Mark II XJ40 was unveiled to European markets until 1986. Since its design had been started in the 1970's, it brought with it many controversial designs from that era. The square headlights were one of these antiquated features.

Jaguar offered the XJ40 with only six-cylinder units when first introduced. The 12-cylinder unit's were not ready, thus the continuation of the Series III with the V12 until 1992. In 1989 Ford took over Jaguar. Work began on redesigning the engine bay to accommodate the V12. It would take a few more years of development until the V12 was ready.

In 1993 a twelve-cylinder version of the Mark II was ready for sale. By now, the vehicles were known as XJ81. Production would continue until 1994 of these 6.0-liter four-door saloons. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a GM 4L80E four-speed automatic gearbox with overdrive on the fourth gear.

In 1995 the XJ6, code-named X300 Series, was introduced which used styling cues from the popular Series III cars. There were now four individual headlights, reminiscent of the Series III era. The hood was also very similar to the S3. The work of the newly designs and updated X300 Series cars was done by Geoff Lawson, the head designer for Jaguar. Included in this series was the XJ6, Vanden Plas, XJR, and Daimler. Power was from a 4-liter six-cylinder unit or from the 6-liter 12-cylinder unit. The XJR version featured a supercharger on the six-cylinder unit. This was a radical departure from Jaguar's history, as a supercharger had never been used by the Jaguar Company. Turbochargers were almost as rare in the company's long and prestigious history. The XJ220 is one of the few Jaguars, up to this point, to have been outfitted with a turbocharger.

Though the exterior of the car had received attention, the interior received very few updates.

Production of the XJ6 continued into 1997.

The XJ12 and Daimler Double Six as introduced in 1995 and produced until 1996. It was known under the codename X305. Production of the XJ12 was low with only 3400 examples produced. Though they shared many design features as the X300 Series, there was much to distinguish between the two series. V12 badges were placed on each side of the vehicle's pillar.

The X308 was introduced in 1997 and continued until 2002. Included in this series was the XJ7, JXR, Daimler, and Vanden Plas. The X308 Series brought about an all-new dashboard. The most significant improvement was the use of eight-cylinder engines. They were offered in 3.2-liter and 4.0-liter displacement sizes. The XJR included a five-speed automatic transmission and a supercharger on the 4.0-liter unit which greatly improve the vehicle's performance. The base 4.0-liter produced 290 horsepower while the supercharger version increased output to 370.

In 2002, Jaguar introduced the XJR 100 which was a limited 500 special edition versions of the XJR. They were all painted in black with matching black leather interior. Alloy sport wheels, red stitching in the interior, and maple trim were used exclusively on the XJR 100.

The Mark III was introduced in 2002 and brought about an all-new aluminum lightweight body. These were codenamed the X350. Included in this series was the XJ6, XJ8, XJR, Vanden Plas, Super V8, and Daimler Super Eight. Visually, the vehicle had changed little. The biggest improvements were under the hood and throughout the other mechanical components. The chassis and body were constructed mostly from aluminum with small amounts of steel.

The Super V8 made its debut in 2004. This was a long-wheelbase version of the XJ and is considered the most luxurious and powerful of the series. As such, it is also the most expensive. Under the hood was a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 that produced 400 horsepower. A limited-edition, called the Super V8 Portfolio, was introduced at the 2005 New York Auto Show as a 2006 model. It carried a base price of $115,999. Improvements were more power and luxury enhancements. There were only limited colors offered, either Black Cherry or Winter Gold. Zero-to-sixty took just five seconds.

The Mark III, aka X350, was powered by a 4.2-liter V8 that came in natural aspiration or supercharger. The base engine produced 300 horsepower while the supercharger version raised that figure to 400.

by Dan Vaughan