Jaguar XJR 2008 News

Anyone who thinks Jaguar is limiting the sporting appeal of the brand to the F-Type can think again. The XJ sedan debuting at the New York motor show is the latest model to bring back the R to its name. Utilising the outputs of a 404kW/680Nm five-litre supercharged V8 -- also seen in the F-Type (in a lower level of tune) and the XFR-S -- the XJR is being described by the brand as the "the most focused, agile and responsive Jaguar XJ ever." The performance flagship of the breed will be easily distinguished from the mainstream XJ range by a subtle aerodynamic package when it first appears in Australia late this year. Jaguar global brand director Adrian Hallmark says it delivers supercar performance and assertive looks with the highest levels of luxury. "The new XJR epitomises the three pillars of technology, performance and contemporary design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the twenty-first century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon," he says. Jaguar Australia brand manager Mark Eedle says the new sports models will remind car buyers of the performance side of the marque. "We've got the F-Type on its way, the XFR-S with the increase in power and the XJR with the same engine, some big performance credentials being staked at the moment which is wonderful to see because it's a core pillar of the Jaguar brand," he says. While the F-Type shares the same supercharged V8 as the two new super-sedans, there's no official word on an F-Type R with 404kW on offer. The brand also let its XFR-S - which claims a 4.4 second sprint to 100km/h - loose in front of the public in its homeland at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, demonstrating just what 404kW and 680Nm can do to a set of rear tyres. Painted in what the British brand calls Italian racing red and driven by 1988 Le Mans 24hr race winner Andy Wallace, the XFR-S showed its performance potential on the famous hillclimb. Eedle says the company has been through its product-led recovery phase and it was revisiting the performance side of its heritage.  "We are known for dynamics, so you get an amazing amount of power and the dynamics and the technology to harness, so you get a proper dynamic drive instead of just blasting in a straight line, we're good on corners," he says. The XFR-S will precede the August arrival of the F-Type and it's expected to go close to the pre-price-cut $210,000 asking price of the XFR. "We just repositioned the pricing, what that's done is allow the XFR-S at pricing not too far off where we were before," Eedle says without elaboration. Interest in the F-Type sportscar has been strong and Jaguar already has 16 orders, evenly split between the supercharged V6 and V8 pair.  

But a new 3.5-litre V8 has been added to the fleet in an attempt to bolster sales.Jaguar Australia marketing communications manager Tim Krieger confirmed the 3-litre V6 was “uncompetitive in the segment”.“The key player in this segment is the 7 Series (BMW) and to be taken seriously you clearly need a V8 in the petrol derivatives,” he said.“With the size of the vehicle it really needs a V8 and that's the thinking in putting in the 3.5-litre.”The new V8 engine produces 190kW power and 335 Nm of torque.The 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel remains the only six-cylinder engine in the XJ range.“The diesel is going fine and is very competitive, but in the petrol segment for that size vehicle we need a V8,” Krieger said.The 3-litre XJ6 started at $149,900, so with it gone, the new entry level is the XJ6 diesel at $154,900.The XJ8 3.5-litre V8 comes in at $159,900, joining the short-wheelbase 4.2-litre XJ8 at $174,900 and the long-wheelbase XJ8 at $179,900, the XJR at $219,900 and the short- and long-wheelbase Super V8s ($229,900 and $234,900) completing the range.The 2008 model XJ also gets some exterior styling updates around the front, side power vents, rear spoiler and full-width chrome signature blade and new rear bumper. They now sit on 19-inch Polaris alloy wheels.The XJR and Super V8s get 20-inch alloys.XJR also now comes with aluminium-finish power vents and black painted brake calipers.Inside, there are new seats, increased rear leg and foot room thanks to redesigned front seat backs and the latest Bluetooth connectivity which allows up to five approved phones to be paired to the in-car telephone system.Krieger said Jaguar sales were “on track” for this year's budget.But the October figures show Jaguar has sold 763 cars this year, which is down 153 or 18.5 per cent on last year, while the whole market is up 8.6 per cent.The biggest loser is the S-Type, which is down 22 per cent but is in run-out mode to make way for the new XK, arriving in May.Krieger said they would be out of S-Type stock by early next year and that they already had about 80 orders for the XF.“That's doing a little bit better than where we thought we'd be at this stage,” he said.Four different XF models will be available: 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel, 3-litre petrol V6, 4.2-litre petrol V8 and 4.2-litre supercharged petrol V8 (SV8).Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company is believed to have attracted six offers to buy Jaguar and Land Rover which they are keen to sell in an effort to bolster a faltering bottom line.Leading bidder is said to be India's largest car manufacturer, Tata Motors.