Classic car: Jaguar XJR

Posted on 13-02-2016 to 18:00 by larssb – 69 Comments”

Rude boenderen. Often associated with baseball caps, but it can also be stylish and civilized. And also very British, with an Eaton blower: the Jaguar XJR.

Ford, since 1989, the owner of Jaguar, wild a fast version of the XJ launch to the sporting image of the Jaguar again how to breathe new life into. A success that Jaguar previously had known with the MKⅡ. Jaguar’s own twaalfcilinder was not, however, be starring in, Ford had already decided that this powerhouse in the long term from production because it is too expensive and complicated. And that’s where Americans not so much.

Instead, in 1994 the existing AJ16 six-in-line with an Eaton M90 compressor with intercooler. The XJR was the first blower-Jaguar for the public highway (and the second with supercharging: the turbogeblazen XJ220 went to him for). Except powerful, also economical: Ford used the same concept of a six-cylinder engine with a compressor for that other British institution that, since 1988, in the hands of: Aston Martin. This block showed more than striking similarities with the propulsion of their time, most produced model, the DB7. Aston’s Astra, as it were.

It seemed to be actually strong on that beautiful DB7, in the first instance as Jaguar was conceived. Had formally been in parent company Ford, Jaguar’s current project for the development of the F-type shut down, but probably was this XJ41 design, the successor of the XJS, rolled over to Aston Martin. The front of that noble-Brit had the custom block with a capacity of 3.2 litres, in the Jaguar XJR, he continued to 4.0 litres. By application of the supercharger came the power to 326 HP. More than enough, would the colleagues from Crewe gesnoefd, but more impressive was the torque of 512 Nm. Moreover, it was that power available from 3050 rpm, a direct consequence, and major advantage of the linear wealth accumulation by a compressor. Highly civilized, restrained anger.

Because with such values was a sprint to 100 km/h in just over 6 seconds. That experience was for unsuspecting bystanders a much more striking than for the driver himself. Who experienced the desolate sprintende cat just as fast-moving comfort zone, completely unaware of the vulgar uproar that this has caused. In the case of the automatic 4L 80-E controlled gearbox from GM, at least, with the Getrag manual vijfbak was the driver there yourself. The well-known Gentlemen’s Agreement limited the top speed to 250 km/h. Soon enough, by that time they had nothing more to prove. And it was probably time to go refuel and a cuppa.

That gave back the opportunity of his appearance to enjoy. On this generation of XJ, X300-series, had the square headlights of its predecessor, thank god, replaced by four round ones. More in the tradition of the old XJ’s, and much more characteristic of the man. Striking on the XJR was the absence of chromium. The grill with a sporty mesh instead of chic bars, window pillars, and the moldings were matte black or in the color of the car. Except the XJR’s for the American market: of them were the window pillars or shiny, according to the local taste. More bling for your buck.

There were the rims a size larger than that of a standard XJ: 17 inch and with a private, vijfspaaks design. Both uitlaateinden were a bit sharper, and made this fast Jag sportier, both in looks and in sound. The interior looked as if the sky itself was finished by British craftsmen: leather everywhere, wood and thick carpet. A beautiful tradition. Also really British, and now the habit: a hemeltje that, over time, listless hung. Nice materials, but the wrong glue. The dashboard was not much different than the other versions, with six prominent clocks, and gauges and handy knoppenpaneeltjes for the lighting and cruise control are invisible, hidden behind the steering wheel and levers. Who cares, it’s a Jag.

Still and undeniable. Because despite the ubiquitous involvement of the Ford retained this multi-talented Jaguar has its own unique identity. And he remained quite, which is certainly not of all his predecessors said could be. The influence of Ford assured a greatly improved quality, this supersedan was simply reliable. More reliable than its successor, even, the X308. That had a delicious sounding achtcilinder under the stately hood, but the Nikasil coating that was applied was the INTRODUCTION of that generation in the first instance with a duration thorny issue. Many engines were replaced under guarantee, and it then took a while for the confidence was back.

Meanwhile, whizzed this X306 unperturbed by. Or he went grunting and blowing the vowels of a decent stride. But always stylish and refined. Grace and Pace.