Jaguar's elegant XJ

Having finished work on the seventh generation XJ series - Jaguar's flagship saloon - the marque hopes to entice new buyers into the fold by blending tradition and technology.

First built in 1968, the Jaguar XJ has sold some 800,000 units since inception. The new XJ range will be on show for the first time at the 2002 Paris Motor Show from September 26 - which is 34 years to the day after the launch of the original XJ6.

When you're talking about premium luxury cars, however, size matters. Take Mercedes' resurrected Maybach range for instance - if you've got a cool million burning a hole in your pocket, then the larger Maybach 62 model, (as in 6.17-metres in length) will be just the ticket.

The BMW 7-series is now slightly larger, the S-class Merc was never a dwarf and the Lexus LS430 is no welter-weight either.

In it's bid to put the Jaguar XJ back into the minds of prestige car buyers, it comes as no surprise that the new XJ is also bigger in 2003.

The increased girth of the 2003 XJ comes from new underpinnings - more precisely Ford's DEW98 platform, which is also used on the American model Lincoln LS and also another new(ish) Cat, the Jaguar S-Type.

Wider, longer and even slightly taller (Length 5080mm; Width 1868mm; Height 1448mm; Wheelbase 3034mm), the new XJ didn't take the BMW 7-series path of a completely new, and somewhat radical design, instead sticking with a more recognisable shape.

Jaguar aficionados will notice the headlights are now slightly oval in shape, making use of xenon globes in outer lenses as well.

A slightly reshaped grille retains the old XJ look, though because it's now longer and taller, the doors are now a little deeper. There's less overhand at all four corners, though the rear still has that big Jaguar look, ensuring boot space remains more than generous.

Windscreen rake has been increased, giving it a more agressive and faster front end, while the bonnet keeps the moulded headlight parallels and the trademark power buldge in the centre.

The famous XJ6 badge is also making a return in the new 2003 XJ range, taking its place alongside the new XJ8, XJR and new XJ Super V8 models.

"The new XJ is a luxury car with a true sense of gravitas. The proportions, stance and obvious dynamic quality clearly display that all-important Jaguar DNA and give it real presence on the road," said Ian Callum, director of design at Jaguar cars.

He continued: "This all-new car had to be clearly identifiable as an XJ, capturing the recognised essence and style of the classic lineage... But it also had to have a modern idiom all of its own."

The new look Jag was also created by making use of some intriguing new technolgies. Using the same lightweight but ultra-strong techniques that feature in aircraft, the new XJ's body is an advance on all fronts.

The bodyshell - known as the body-in-white or BIW - is some 40 per cent lighter than that of the equivalent steel body. This is the starting point from which spring many of the advantages the XJ enjoys over the competition, not least in terms of performance and economy.

Weight alone is rumoured to have dropped by some 200kg over the Superseded model, though Jaguar hasn't let the cat out of the bag in terms of official data.

The new body is also 60 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. This brings yet more positive points, including the ability to achieve excellent dynamic performance, safety and refinement.

David Scholes, chief programme engineer for the XJ said: "We chose a lightweight aluminium vehicle architecture for the new XJ not because it was something new, but because it enabled us to deliver real and significant benefits to our customers.

Mr Scholes also stated that while the new XJ series is designed to give drivers good feedback, Jaguar didn't want to overwhelm its customers with too much techno-gadgetry. "You don't have to be a computer expert to operate the new XJ. Our customers are emphatic in their opposition to gratuitous technology and unwanted features intruding on the driving experience, which fits exactly with the Jaguar philosophy of making technology relevant at all times."

As such, Mike Cross, the guy in charge of making sure the new XJ drives smoothly, and purposefully, attributes much of the new car's ride and handling to hi-tech wizardry. Based on a further development of the front and rear suspension systems used in the revised S-Type, the XJ systems feature an important additional advantage - self-levelling air suspension, fitted as standard across the range.

The adoption of air suspension in the new XJ is a first for Jaguar and perfectly complements the aluminium-intensive construction of the double-wishbone systems. Air suspension ensures that full suspension travel is always available by increasing spring stiffness relative to payload.

As well as delivering major advantages over traditional coil-spring suspension in respect of comfort and refinement, the air system ensures ride height remains constant regardless of load conditions – an important factor because in the lightweight XJ, vehicle occupants represent a relatively higher proportion of gross vehicle weight. In addition, the air suspension automatically lowers the ride height at speed to improve stability and increase aerodynamic efficiency.

Mike Cross, chief engineer, said: "The new XJ is engineered to provide relaxing and refined ride quality, yet can deliver spirited and highly capable dynamic qualities when required. Although larger than its predecessor, the new car is extremely precise in its behaviour, so inspiring driver confidence."

The new XJ range also benefits from an enhanced version of Jaguar's CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension), which comes as standard on all models. This optimises ride and handling under all conditions, electronically maximising dynamic performance and driver control. A completely automatic system governed by the same Electronic Control Unit that controls the air suspension, CATS requires no intervention from the driver, the damper settings being adjusted in milliseconds to suit driving conditions.

In addition to all the technological advancements in ride quality and comfort, the engine range has also seen quite a boost, but sadly there's still no sign of a next-gen XJ12.

Still, with an entry-level engine capacity of 3.0-litres, we're not going to complain. In fact, the new 3.0-litre V6, with some 179kW of power on tap, means the famed XJ6 badge will make a return. Jaguar will officialy release performance numbers "at a later date," which is likely to be the Paris Motor Show.

Even so, we do have a few numbers for you. Starting with the XJ6's 179kW vee-six, the next engine in the range is an all-new 3.5-litre V8, making it's debut in the XJ. The naturally aspirated, mid-sized eight cylinder mill makes some 195kW, while Jaguar's bigger 4.2-litre V8 variants (in N/A and S/C form) both make the cut, worth some 224kW and 298kW respectively.

Power from all four engine types will be transferred to the wheels via the acclaimed ZF six-speed automatic transmission, first seen in the revised S-Type.

Inside, the 2003 XJ range has new levels of spaciousness, craftsmanship, ergonomic flexibility and comfort. Designed from the outset to satisfy the determination that a driver – and any passengers – should always get out of a Jaguar feeling better than when they entered, the interior of the new XJ was crafted to please.

Increased headroom, legroom and shoulder room are improved for all occupants, while the driver environment – the facia, seat and controls – is distinctively new and takes Jaguar's ergonomic standards to even higher. At the top of the range of electrically adjustable front seats, for example, is a 16-way seat with cushion-length adjustment and 4-way lumbar support. In the rear, buyers not satisfied with a fixed seat can opt for a powered bench with electrically adjustable lumbar support, backrest and head restraints.

Adjustable pedals are available to complement the electrically adjustable steering column and allow drivers to find exactly the seating position they need.

Another advance in the new XJ is a multi-media entertainment system that allows simultaneous enjoyment of up to three different audio, video or games systems. Screens mounted in the rear of the front seat head restraints display television programmes or games, with headphone capability to avoid disturbing other occupants.

As an example, the driver could be listening to the radio or a CD, while one rear seat passenger drives around Monaco in an XJ220 on a video-game system and the other watches Gladiator on DVD.

In addition to this, drivers and passengers can now relax in complete comfort, a new four-zone climate control system makes this possible. Also, a range of interior styles will be offered to potential customers, from a traditional burr walnut finish on 'Classic' models to a warm charcoal facia and grey-stained birdseye maple veneer combination on sportier versions of the car.

An entirely new touch is Piano Black trim, a highly polished finish inspired by the deep, lustrous sheen of a concert grand piano. Piano Black features on the centre console and J-gate surround of the XJ, immediately differentiating the Jaguar from other luxury cars.

The all-new Jaguar XJ makes its public debut on 26th September at the Paris Motor Show and sales will commence from next spring. Pricing will be announced just prior to the car going on sale.

For more than three decades, the XJ has been the definitive Jaguar saloon, yet only in the last 18 months has Jaguar hit some real form, first with the X-Type, then the new S-Type range and now the flagship XJ series. Arguably the marque's most advanced vehicle to roll off production lines to date, the XJ Jaguars do a great job at mixing the old and the new.

Against a background of significant growth in 2001, Jaguar's annual global sales passed 100,000 for the first time, and this year will show another strong increase – the new XJ model expected to make up a large number of these sales.

The new XJ has more substance than even before and, together with Eddie Irvine and his Jaguar R3 Formula One car back on the podium after the Monza (Italy) Grand Prix, it looks like the Cat is well and truly back.