The new XJ's aluminum chassis is 40 % lighter and 60 % stiffer than if it were steel.
Aluminum underbody components are fastened together with aerospace-grade epoxy adhesives and some 3,200 self-piercing rivets to create the new XJ's chassis.
The long-wheelbase 2005 XJ weighs 53 pounds more than than normal XJ yet is 5 inches longer.
"The complete body with paint weighs 650 pounds compared with an estimated 1,058 pounds for the same car in steel, 952 pounds for a Mercedes-Benz S-class, and 955 pounds for a 7-series BMW."
more stuff
"Thanks to advances in planetary gearset design, the ZF six-speed automatic gearbox is 24 pounds lighter, 2.0 inches shorter, and has 30 percent fewer parts than the five-speed unit in the outgoing XJ8."
for the XJR and Super V8...
"Front suspension knuckles are also shaped differently from the standard model to provide adequate clearance for significantly larger brake rotors and calipers."
- from The Inside Guide to the all-new aluminum Jaguar XJ by Automobile Magazine
more information
http://www.keycast.com/keycast/jaguar/xj/USNewXJ_LWB/default.asp?ref=noref&detect=1&flashversion=7&jsenabled=1
XJ's ZF 6 speed automatic transmission
aluminum suspension and brakes. The XJR and Super V8 have Brembo brakes.
XJ's air suspension (standard)
Here is Jaguar's 4.2 liter 390 hp supercharged V-8.
The 2005 Jaguar Super V8 weighs over 800 pounds less than a BMW 760Li. It is shown below.
The blue 2004 XJR is finished in "Zircon" with the optional 20 inch BBS wheels.
An all-leather steering wheel is available for the XJ as an accessory.
I hope Jaguar backs the next XK in racing. Jaguar won the manufacturer's championship in the 2004 Trans-Am Series. Rocketsports Racing built this XKR.
These two S-Types remind me of the 2001 Jaguar R Coupe and the 2003 Jaguar RD-6. The next Jaguar S-Type will likely use the new XJ's aluminum chassis.
The third car shown is the 2003 Jaguar RD-6 concept.
I wish Jaguar would drop the X-Type and build the F-Type from a few years ago. Give it an aluminum chassis, a V-8 engine, a manual transmision, and call it the "XK 320."
Tell Jaguar to build the F-Type at the following link:
http://jag-lovers.org/fcomment.php3Here is a link to pictures
http://fast-autos.net/jaguar/jaguarftype.htmlThis is a great article about Jaguar and aluminum.
This article claims an XK by 2010, but this was written before Jaguar confirmed the X150, the codename for the next XK.
Here is Mark White who is the senior body structures manager for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.
http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/microsites/newsarticle.asp?newsarticleid=2728595&siteid=26&magazineid=1004&instanceid=5121&pageid=824&srid=10088
