TheJaguar XJ (X300)is a luxury sedan manufactured byJaguar Carsbetween 1994 and 1997. It was the firstXJproduced entirely underFordownership, and can be considered an evolution of the outgoingXJ40generation. Like all previous XJ generations, it features theJaguar independent rear suspensionarrangement. The design of the X300 placed emphasis on improved build quality, improved reliability, and a return to traditional Jaguar styling elements.[1][2]
At the car's launch in October 1994 at theParis Motor Show, Jaguar marketing material made use of the phrase "New Series XJ" to describe the X300 models. The X300 series represented the result of a £200 million facilities renewal program by Ford.[3]The program introduced state-of-the-art automated body welding robots manufactured byNissan, and was intended to show the future direction of the British auto industry.
To honour Jaguar's achievements,Queen Elizabeth IIvisited theBrowns Lane factoryin December 1994, and ordered a British Racing Green X305 Daimler Double Six for her personal use.[3]This was the Queen's second visit to Jaguar's Coventry factory since 1956.
The normally aspirated six-cylinder X300 cars used either a ZF four-speed automatic gearbox (4HP-22on the 3.2L and4HP-24on the 4.0L),[4]or aGetrag290 five-speed manual. The 4HP-22 automatic is mechanically controlled while the 4HP-24 is electronically controlled, allowing 4.0-litre models to offer 'normal' and 'sport' modes on a switch by the gear lever. This switch is replaced with a blanking plate on the 3.2L. The supercharged six-cylinder in the XJR was normally built with the optionalGM 4L80-Efour-speed automatic and very few XJRs were ordered with the standard specification Getrag 290. All V12-equipped cars were built with the GM 4L80-E automatic. In certain markets, such as North America, no manual gearbox was offered.
The X300 was the first XJ to be affected directly by Jaguar's takeover (in 1990) by theFord Motor Company. According to David Versical ofAutomotive News, Ford's influence was evident more in terms of "product development processes than its parts bin".[5]However, Versical added that the XJ's new "traction controlsystem came via Ford'sMondeoprogram" and it also featured "aNippondensoair conditioner sourced through Ford's purchasing channels."
The X300 was latterly available in both short- and long-wheelbase body styles and in various trim levels. Some markets had a limited selection of X300 models or features. For example, the North American XJ6 was only available with the 4.0L engine, and all cars sold there were equipped with alloy wheels, a leather interior, and air conditioning. North America did not receive the Sovereign, Sport, Executive, or Century models, nor was a manual transmission offered.
Power folding mirrors were standard in Japan and optional in all other markets except the USA.
Aesthetically, the X300 received several updates in the design refresh led byGeoff Lawsonin 1991. The mostly flat bonnet of the XJ40 was replaced with a fluted, curvaceous design that accentuated the four separate round headlamps. Rear wings were reshaped to accommodate the new wrap-around rear light clusters. Also, the separate black-rubber bumper bar of the XJ40 is gone and replaced with a fully integrated body-coloured bumper.
The Jaguar "leaper" hood mascot was installed only on cars for non-European markets.
The interior of the X300 was similar to that found in the XJ40, with some revisions. The seats were updated to have a more rounded profile, wood trim was updated with bevelled edges, and the steering wheel was redesigned.
Early X300 cars were built without a front passenger glove-box, due to space constraints caused by the introduction of a front-passengerairbag.
It featured a Jaguar XJ6: a boy, dismounting his bicycle, presses his nose flat to a showroom window behind which purrs Jaguar’s feline seductress. The tag-line? “Some day, some day.”
TheJaguar XJ (X300)is a luxury sedan manufactured byJaguar Carsbetween 1994 and 1997. It was the firstXJproduced entirely underFordownership, and can be considered an evolution of the outgoingXJ40generation. Like all previous XJ generations, it features theJaguar independent rear suspensionarrangement. The design of the X300 placed emphasis on improved build quality, improved reliability, and a return to traditional Jaguar styling elements.[1][2]
At the car's launch in October 1994 at theParis Motor Show, Jaguar marketing material made use of the phrase "New Series XJ" to describe the X300 models. The X300 series represented the result of a £200 million facilities renewal program by Ford.[3]The program introduced state-of-the-art automated body welding robots manufactured byNissan, and was intended to show the future direction of the British auto industry.
To honour Jaguar's achievements,Queen Elizabeth IIvisited theBrowns Lane factoryin December 1994, and ordered a British Racing Green X305 Daimler Double Six for her personal use.[3]This was the Queen's second visit to Jaguar's Coventry factory since 1956.
The normally aspirated six-cylinder X300 cars used either a ZF four-speed automatic gearbox (4HP-22on the 3.2L and4HP-24on the 4.0L),[4]or aGetrag290 five-speed manual. The 4HP-22 automatic is mechanically controlled while the 4HP-24 is electronically controlled, allowing 4.0-litre models to offer 'normal' and 'sport' modes on a switch by the gear lever. This switch is replaced with a blanking plate on the 3.2L. The supercharged six-cylinder in the XJR was normally built with the optionalGM 4L80-Efour-speed automatic and very few XJRs were ordered with the standard specification Getrag 290. All V12-equipped cars were built with the GM 4L80-E automatic. In certain markets, such as North America, no manual gearbox was offered.
The X300 was the first XJ to be affected directly by Jaguar's takeover (in 1990) by theFord Motor Company. According to David Versical ofAutomotive News, Ford's influence was evident more in terms of "product development processes than its parts bin".[5]However, Versical added that the XJ's new "traction controlsystem came via Ford'sMondeoprogram" and it also featured "aNippondensoair conditioner sourced through Ford's purchasing channels."
The X300 was latterly available in both short- and long-wheelbase body styles and in various trim levels. Some markets had a limited selection of X300 models or features. For example, the North American XJ6 was only available with the 4.0L engine, and all cars sold there were equipped with alloy wheels, a leather interior, and air conditioning. North America did not receive the Sovereign, Sport, Executive, or Century models, nor was a manual transmission offered.
Power folding mirrors were standard in Japan and optional in all other markets except the USA.
Aesthetically, the X300 received several updates in the design refresh led byGeoff Lawsonin 1991. The mostly flat bonnet of the XJ40 was replaced with a fluted, curvaceous design that accentuated the four separate round headlamps. Rear wings were reshaped to accommodate the new wrap-around rear light clusters. Also, the separate black-rubber bumper bar of the XJ40 is gone and replaced with a fully integrated body-coloured bumper.
The Jaguar "leaper" hood mascot was installed only on cars for non-European markets.
The interior of the X300 was similar to that found in the XJ40, with some revisions. The seats were updated to have a more rounded profile, wood trim was updated with bevelled edges, and the steering wheel was redesigned.
Early X300 cars were built without a front passenger glove-box, due to space constraints caused by the introduction of a front-passengerairbag.
It featured a Jaguar XJ6: a boy, dismounting his bicycle, presses his nose flat to a showroom window behind which purrs Jaguar’s feline seductress. The tag-line? “Some day, some day.”