Jaguar XJ (X351)

The Jaguar XJ (X351) is the fourth generation of the Jaguar XJ saloon manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Jaguar. Announced in 2009, and going on sale from 2010, the X351 combines revised styling with underpinnings of the previous X350generation. The vehicle is produced at the Castle Bromwich Assembly plant in Birmingham, England. From 2014, assembly from complete knockdown kits (CKD) of the XJ commenced at Jaguar Land Rover's facility in Pune, India.

Jaguar invited Jay Leno to unveil the new XJ during the launch at the Saatchi Gallery in London on 9 July 2009. The event was broadcast live on the Jaguar website. The US model was unveiled at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Production of the car was due to begin in September 2009, with first deliveries being made in early 2010. Production later began in 2010, with the car arriving in dealer showrooms in May 2010. At the 2010 Moscow Motor Show, the XJ Sentinel was introduced. This is an armoured version of Long Wheelbase XJ with B7-level ballistic protection as well as providing protection against 15 kg TNT or equivalent explosive. It has the 5.0 L supercharged V8 engine shared the XJ Supersport having a power output of 510 PS (375 kW) and 19-inch wheels with Dunlop Self Supporting Technology run-flat tyres.

Design

The XJ was designed at Jaguar Land Rover's Whitley plant in Coventry, by a team led by design director Ian Callum. Design work began in 2005, with final design approval taking place in November 2006 and the design being frozen in the first half of 2008. The new design is a complete departure from any earlier XJ model, although mechanically the car is a development of its predecessor.

Models

In addition to the standard version with a 3,035 mm (119.5 in) wheelbase, a long-wheelbase version is available with a 3,160 mm (124 in) wheelbase. However, unlike other full-size flagship executive cars, the long-wheelbase variant was designed first and is expected to make up 67 percent of sales in the United States market.

Engines

The engine used by the X351 are enlarged and upgraded versions of the previously used V8 petrol and V6 diesel engines.

Transmission and top speed
All 2010 models of the Jaguar XJ include standard six-speed automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift carried over from the X350, the main change being steering wheel shift paddles rather than the "J" gate gear selector. The XJ has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, although the limiter has been raised to 280 km/h for the XJR model. An eight speed automatic transmission was introduced from 2013 onwards.

Chassis

The XJ features a lightweight aluminium floorpan and body (with 50% recycled material content) based on the X350 chassis and retaining a proportion of the earlier floor pan. The biggest change is reversion to steel coil springs for the front suspension, retaining air suspension for the rear only. Continuously variable damping is electronically controlled as before but with driver selectable modes.The aluminium alloy uni-body makes the XJ L among the lightest of the full-size executive saloons despite its exterior proportions, weighing in at 1,874 kg (4,131 lb), which is 111 kg (245 lb) lighter than the mid-size/executive BMW 550i.

Equipment

Driver information and entertainment is provided by a Bowers & Wilkins 1,200-watt, 20-speaker Dolby 7.1 surround-sound system and a bi-directional touch screen display - on which the driver can only see the vehicle functions (and satellite navigation data), but a front passenger can simultaneously view a DVD movie or a television transmission.Standard equipment levels on the United States-spec XJ L with the base engine includes a panoramic dual-pane moonroof, lane-departure warning, navigation, quad-zone climate control and power sunshades, which is considered to be generous at this price point compared to other flagship executive saloons.

Fuel economy and emissions

The diesel engine version will have a fuel economy of better than 40 miles per imperial galln (7.1 L/100 km; 33 mpg_‑US) and a CO
222 emission rating of 184 g/km.

Special uses

On 11 May 2010, then British Prime Minister, David Cameron, took delivery of the dark grey (car No. 10) of Jaguar XJ Sentinel as his official transport. In 2011, David Cameron took the delivery of another XJ Sentinel featuring "bomb proof" doors, bullet proof glass and armoured plating beneath the floor of the car, respectively replacing the previous XJ Sentinel. The car is in use by the current British Prime Minister Theresa May.