Jaguar XJ

History

The XJ appears with the Living room of Paris 1968 but it is as of 1962 qu' a colossal investment is carried out for this car which has as an ambition to renew the range Jaguar. It combines modernism, tradition, comfort and offers good a Handling. Its line due to William Lyons reconciles purity and classicism.

The engines available belong to family XK and are declined in two cubic capacities, 2,8 L and 4,2 L, with a choice of manual transmissions with or without overdrive, or automatic. The XJ is declined under the Daimler mark since 1969: she recognizes herself with her grill ribbed in her top and at her more luxurious interior: it is the “Sovereign”. In July 1972, Jaguar XJ12 (Double six at Daimler) is presented equipped with the V12 engine of TypeE S3. And with the autumn a body with long Empattement (+10 cm) is proposed for the XJ 6 and XJ12 (but those are not delivered in France). With the autumn 1973, a new preparing appears, “Series 1” amongst other things leaves its place to recognizable “Series 2” with its Pare-chocs before raised, with its prominent entourage of grill and a new instrument panel. The motorization 2,8 L is not any more with the catalog. Both Carrosserie S (short frame and length) remain available until the autumn 1974, then the short frame trucks disappear gradually. The “long” trucks (XJ6L) make their appearance in France whereas at the same time Daimler six cylinders cease being imported. At the end of the year 1974, the XJ6 and XJ 12 half-compartment, taking again the frame runs, are proposed (one year after their presentation with the Auto show of Frankfurt 1973, because of a development difficult). They will be withdrawn from the catalog as of the end 1977, which in fact of the rare cars, even very rare under the Daimler mark. In spring 1975, presentation of the trucks (long frame) with engine 3,4 L which are reserved for the British market . This same year, the Carburateur S make place with an injection Lucas Bosch on V12.

In March 1979 appears the XJ “Series 3” with the improved body; it begins again, practically no pressing of the old case even if the general aspect remains similar. The list of the modifications is long: reducing house, Windshield more inclined, deflectors at the front doors removed, embedded handles, massive bumpers and news calenders. Important modifications on V12 appear during the summer 1981, it is HE with Culasse S with roof Fireball-May pitched. To the autumn 1982, the Sovereign completion, in 6 and 12 cylinders from now on is distributed under the mark Jaguar and the Daimler label does not apply any more but to very luxurious Vandes Plas HE. The central console is altered and platings wood make their reappearance on the screen-doors of all the models.

In October 1986, the XJ6” Série3” is replaced by the new generation of XJ called XJ 40. As for the XJ 12, it continues its career until October 1992 under the Jaguar mark and until April 1993 under the Daimler mark. That marks the final extinction of the last drawing of the founder.

Various technical sides

Engine

the 6 cylinders

The engine impossible to circumvent of Jaguar is the XK and it is the version 4,2 L which will be the basic motorization of the XJ6. A new preparing is inaugurated: " mask-arbres" out of aluminum being polished more, but out of striated cast alloy. One of its characteristics is the excentric combustion chambers, a little aberrant provision on paper, but without consequence with use. Versions 2,8 L (Series 1) and 3,4 L (Series 2) are, also, available.

Characteristic of the 4,2 L

noninformed for the moment

the 12 cylinders This engine was New Year's gift on the type E series 3. It is V12 with 60°, the driving block is out of light wet liner alloy. Its cubic capacity is of 5343 cm ³. Its power evolves/moves of 253 ch DIN with 300 CH DIN in version injection in 1981 (HE with Fireball-May cylinder heads). The couple varies 41,2 m.kg DIN with 3500 tr/min with 45 m.kg DIN following the versions.

The rear wheel-axle unit

The back suspension takes it again: carrying halfshafts with brakes " inboard" , double compounds spring-shock absorbers and steering bars, the whole integrated in a dismountable cradle. The halfshafts of transmission by acting as suspension arm take an active part in the handling of the Jaguar.

The nose gear

The nose gear is composed of triangles superimposed with helical springs and telescopic shock absorbers. The light slope of the triangles and the assembly of the shock absorbers more close possible of the rockets make it possible to reduce the diving to braking. There still, the bodies are gathered on a removable cross-piece, carrying anchorings before “flexible” engine and fixed on the hull.

Body

Jaguar XJ made the effect of a true revolution at the time of the presentation of the prototype drawn by William Lyons. It was the first vehicle has to profit from a monopiece steel hull very. The XJ are the first monoshells to offer an high degree of protection to their occupants with their structure with progressive deformation. Bottoms of case and the tunnel of transmission reinforce the structure significantly. N the other hand, rust penetrates more easily in these multiple boxes. The footing is of 2,765 m for the short frame and of 2,865 for the long frame. The overall length varying from 4,815 m with 4,960 m according to the versions.

External bonds

Infos gathered by XP Lemierre of the Friendly XJ
XJ40, badly-liked page on the XJ 1986-1994.

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