The exceptional new XJ from page 36

The exceptional new XJ from page 36

Seen at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, the 2004 Jaguar XJ shows off its all aluminium body. This is the lightest and fastest XJ, the seventh series of the English automotive icon.

All of the speed available on this spectacular vehicle is partially the result of the cars construction.

"This is yet another, compelling example of the weight-saving benefits of the new XJ’s aluminum monocoque construction," said George Ayres, VP of marketing at Jaguar. Constructed using lightweight aluminum joined by self-pierce rivets and epoxy adhesive– state-of-the-art techniques learned from the aerospace industry–the new XJ’s body is some 60 percent stiffer yet 40 percent lighter than before. In the XJ8, that translates into an overall weight savings of almost 200 pounds.

Driving the car you get a feeling of the power and the weight savings. There’s never a thought that this all-aluminum car is amny less safe than a steel equivalent.

Weight savings not only delivers exceptional fuel economy, it also results in lower emissions, more agile handling and truly athletic performance. The new XJ8, for example, accelerates from zero to 60mph in just 6.3 seconds–compared to 6.9 seconds for the previous model. In the new 2004 supercharged XJR the benefits are even more pronounced. It’s 17 mpg city/24mpg highway EPA rating matches that of the previous, normally aspirated 2003 XJ8 4.0–and provides exemption from ‘gas guzzler’ taxation. Against the stopwatch, the XJR can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in a staggering 5.0 seconds.

I took time to marvel at the scenery, the spectacular red rocks and the vast emptiness of Arizona.

I also took time to absorb this new Jaguar.

I had the privilege of visiting the Jaguar factory at Browns Lane in the English midlands back in the late 70s when the first XJs were being built, almost by hand. Times and techniques have changed. Manufacturing is now a 21st century automated process. Gone are the production workers in brown lab coats, but with this new XJ you can see and feel the history and the influence of Sir William Lyons and the Swallow Sidecar Company.

This is one of the best driving cars I have sampled for a long time. It’s the seventh generation XJ—perhaps it’s the best.

Silverstar Jaguar of Thousand Oaks has the XJ8 in stock now, the other two models aren’t far behind.