The Jaguar XJ (X308) is a full-size luxury saloon built by Jaguar Cars from 1997 until 2002. It used the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine and Jaguar independent rear suspension, and it was the third and final evolution of the XJ40 platform that had been in production since 1986. Its predecessor was the XJ (X300).
Jaguar XJ8 at a glance
| Production | 1997–2002 |
|---|---|
| Code | X308 |
| Platform | third evolution of the XJ40 platform |
| Engine | AJ-V8, 3.2 or 4.0 litres |
| Supercharged | 4.0-litre in the XJR |
| Gearbox | automatic only; no manual offered |
| Suspension | Jaguar independent rear; CATS adaptive optional |
| Wheelbases | standard and long (Sovereign from 1998) |
| Models | XJ8, Sport, Sovereign, XJR, Vanden Plas |
| Predecessor | Jaguar XJ (X300) |
History of the Jaguar XJ8
Exterior and interior
The X308 kept much of the exterior styling of the X300, with its rounded four-headlamp bonnet, low roofline, sloping tail and wrap-around rear light clusters. From the front the two generations differ in the shape of the indicator lenses, rectangular on the X300 and oval on the X308, and in the more rounded fog lamps and lower valance air intake. Both bumpers were changed, the tail lamps went from red and grey to red and clear lenses, and the headlamp units gained forward parking lights. Inside, the biggest change was the dashboard, which had hardly altered since the original XJ40: the rectangular instrument binnacle gave way to three deeply recessed dials in the style of the XK8, and the new fascia brought back a proper glove compartment that had been lost when the XJ40 dash was fitted with a passenger airbag.
Mechanicals
Jaguar had intended to replace the XJ40 with a completely new saloon and a new V8, but Ford halted that project, called XJ90, and proposed fitting its new engine and front and rear ends to the centre section of the XJ40. The V8 was not ready in time, the resulting X300 became one of Jaguar’s most successful models, and the X308 that followed became Jaguar’s first V8-powered saloon. With the AJ16 six and the V12 discontinued, only the AJ-V8 was offered, in 3.2 or 4.0-litre form, supercharged in some models; the United States received only the 4.0 litre. No manual gearbox or limited-slip differential was available, and computer-controlled Computer Active Technology Suspension was an option.
The range
The base XJ8 came with leather, alloy wheels and air conditioning as standard, with body-coloured mirrors and handles, chrome around the grille and windows and walnut trim inside; from September 2000 British cars were badged XJ Executive and gained rain-sensing wipers, a CD player, cruise control and rear parking sensors. The Sport used the 3.2-litre engine, with stiffer suspension, sportier seats and wider wheels, and the Sovereign sat at the luxury end with burr walnut veneer, higher-grade leather and a long-wheelbase option from 1998 that was about five inches longer with taller rear headroom. The XJR used the supercharged 4.0-litre V8 with sport suspension and a stainless-steel mesh grille. In some markets Vanden Plas models were sold under the Jaguar name instead of Daimler.
Design and features
- First V8 Jaguar saloon: the AJ-V8 in 3.2 and 4.0-litre form.
- New dashboard: three recessed dials in the style of the XK8.
- Long wheelbase: a Sovereign version about five inches longer from 1998.
- XJR: supercharged 4.0-litre V8 with sport suspension.
- CATS: computer-controlled adaptive suspension as an option.
Jaguar XJ8 versions
- XJ8: the standard car, badged XJ Executive in Britain from 2000.
- Sport: 3.2-litre engine, stiffer suspension, wider wheels.
- Sovereign: the luxury model, with a long-wheelbase option from 1998.
- XJR: supercharged 4.0-litre V8 with sport suspension.
- Vanden Plas: the Daimler equivalent sold under the Jaguar name in some markets.
The XJ8 followed the Jaguar XJ40 and shared its V8 with the Jaguar XK8. More cars are in the Jaguar collection.
Sources
- Jaguar XJ (X308), English Wikipedia: exterior, interior, engines, models
