EDMUNDS.COM 2004 JAGUAR XJR
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Still not a true sport sedan, but 390 horsepower and sleek feline styling can be very persuasive.
Pros
Balanced ride and handling characteristics, powerful supercharged V8, roomier interior than previous XJ.
Cons
Still not as athletic as E55 or M5, CD changer in the trunk, some low-grade interior materials, $15,000 price premium over the XJ8.
What''s New for 2004
Although the exterior styling may look familiar, Jaguar''s beefed-up version of its historic sales leader, the XJ, is an all-new car for 2004. The high-performance XJR''s supercharged V8 engine now displaces 4.2 liters and puts out 390 horsepower, while an aluminum monocoque frame with all-aluminum body panels help keep curb weight down.
Overview
Introduction:
Jaguar has more than doubled its sales in the U.S. since 1997, and the XJ is one of the reasons for that increase. More people have bought XJs than any other Jaguar, it''s just that simple. Because the XJ has so long been bearer of all things Jag that a full redesign was risky business -- how do you bring a dated car (the outgoing model had its root firmly planted in the 1986 version) into the new millennium without alienating those who hold Jaguar''s tradition and heritage sacred? The 2004 version is Jag''s seventh version of the XJ, but don''t look to the XJ to provide a new benchmark in post-modern styling, it looks much like the old one. But that is where the similarities end. Virtually every nut and bolt on the 2004 XJR, the high-performance member of the XJ family, is completely new. This car is longer, taller and wider. An all-aluminum body now graces the XJR and that body is hung on an advanced aluminum frame. Because of the abundant use of aluminum, XJRs are built in a high-tech, highly automated pressing facility at Jaguar''s Castle Bromwich plant. The plant employs new manufacturing techniques borrowed from the aerospace industry. To improve structural rigidity, self-piercing rivets and adhesives are used throughout the manufacturing process. Where performance is concerned, the XJR''s supercharged V8 engine is now larger (4.2 liters) and more powerful (390 horses, 399 pound-feet of torque) and matched with a new six-speed automatic transmission. The R clocks in with a 0-to-60-mph sprint of just 5.0 seconds, according to Jaguar. From a stop, the XJR leaps forward with the slightest hint of throttle, pulling its way to the redline with no perceptible lag in thrust. Midrange passing power is equally impressive with the six-speed transmission providing ultraquick downshifts that bring the car to triple-digit speeds in a matter of seconds. Although we never found fault with the pervasive supercharger whine of the previous XJR, the new car serves up an equally prominent dose of V8 growl that we find even more satisfying. Weak spots are limited to the continued use of the "J-gate" shifter that makes manual gear changes clumsy and Brembo brakes that, while immensely powerful, can be hard to precisely modulate. Though still not a bona fide sport sedan like the BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E55, the ''04 XJR certainly provides more responsive handling over the luxury-oriented XJ8. Credit for the added agility can be attributed to the R''s more aggressively tuned air suspension, a quicker steering ratio and standard 19-inch wheels and tires.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Like all Jaguar XJs, the XJR is offered only as a four-door sedan. The XJR carries Jaguar''s performance banner and comes with a supercharged engine, 19-inch wheels and Z-rated performance tires, plus minor exterior cues including "R" badging. The standard equipment list includes high-intensity discharge headlights, leather upholstery, wood trim, 16-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front and rear seats, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, power windows with one-touch operation and a 320-watt Alpine stereo with an in-dash single CD player and a trunk-mounted changer. Options include front parking sensors, a rear DVD entertainment system, a DVD-based navigation system and power-adjustable rear seats.
Powertrains and Performance:
The XJR offers a supercharged version of the regular XJ8''s 4.2-liter V8 engine. Output climbs to 390 horsepower and 399 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 mph comes up in 5.0 seconds for the XJR. A new ZF six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels.
Safety:
All XJRs come standard with such safety features as four-piston Brembo brakes, ABS, BrakeAssist and electronic stability and traction control. Other safety features include side-impact and head curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, front and rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and an adaptive feature for the front passenger''s airbags. Sensors monitor the front passenger''s weight and position to the point that the airbags will deploy at a lesser rate or not at all if it is deemed unsafe for the occupant.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Despite all the new technology, the XJ still offers a rich and warm interior befitting a proper British luxury sedan. Hidden within the blacked-out wood trim and soft leather are newly developed magnesium seat frames. The XJR offers 16-way power seats versus the 12-way that comes standard in the XJ8. A new electronic parking brake is standard in all XJ variants and automatically sets and releases itself as the shift lever is moved into or out of "Park." The rear seats are more accommodating than those of any XJ of old, though larger sedans from Audi, BMW and Mercedes still have an advantage here.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The result of all Jaguar''s technological improvements are immediately noticeable in terms of ride and handling. Wind noise is down and the interior remains much quieter than the previous XJR, even at highway speeds. Thanks in part to the bigger V8 and the weight savings of aluminum construction, the new XJR feels even more powerful, livelier and offers stellar forward thrust from both a dead stop and highway speeds. Light blips of the throttle cause the car to leap forward with such authority that one imagines a real jaguar moving in for the kill. Thankfully comfort is a top priority as well; even with its firmer suspension, the XJR still offers a smooth ride quality. Even with more aggressive suspension tuning, the XJR still feels soft in the corners compared to true sport sedans like the BMW M5 and Mercedes E55, but only serious enthusiasts are apt to mind.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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