Jaguar to Display the New Jaguar S-TYPE, Touted as the "Jaguar of New Generation" and the XJ/XK Series, Featuring Improved Quality abd Value, at the 33rd Tokyo Motor Show
Jaguar Japan Ltd. (head office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Tel: 03-3702-6211, President: Haruyoshi Fukuda) will take part in the 33rd Tokyo Motor Show that will be held from October 20 (Tue) to November 3 (Wed, a national holiday in Japan) at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. It will unveil eight cars, including the new Jaguar S-TYPE and a concept car, the XK 180.
Medium-sized Luxury Saloon under the Spotlight
- the New Jaguar S-TYPE
The new Jaguar S-TYPE, which comes in three models: the 3.0 V6, the 3.0 V6 SE and the 4.0 V8, is Jaguar's new line of medium-sized saloon that hit the Japanese market in June this year. Jaguar is enjoying record sales levels in major European and the U.S. markets where the model was released earlier, marking a 100 percent sales increase over the previous year, backed by the robust sales of the S-TYPE.
The S-TYPE, a medium-sized 4-cloor saloon, is about 150mm shorter in overall length than Jaguar's current lineup of the XJ Series. It belongs to the same class as the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The S-TYPE is the first saloon from Jaguar in 43 years since it entered this class with the release of the 2.4 in 1955. The models name, S-TYPE, is derived from the original S-TYPE, a successor to the 2.4 compact saloon. Its body design, which features a lot of curves typical of the Jaguar, is similar to that of the original S-TYPE.
The new Jaguar S-TYPE comes in three models with two types of engines. They are the 3.0 V6 and the 3.0 V6 special equipment (SE) that are equipped with Jaguar's first 238 DIN ps, 3-litre V6 engine, and the 4.0 V8 that is powered by a 4-litre V8 engine, performance of which has already proved in the XJ Series. All models have adopted a 5-speed automatic transmission.
In 1998, Jaguar experienced record sales of 50,000 units for the two series of the XJ 4-door saloon and the XK sports car for the first time in its history. The new S-TYPE is positioned as a model which complements these two series, with the aim of introducing Jaguar's brand to a new generation of customers. In addition to such attributes as elegant and glamorous styling, refined power, agile steering, smooth ride and luxury and comfortable interior, all of which have traditionally been Jaguar's core marque value, the new S-TYPE feature sporty running performance and an affordable price. The list of new and attractive features continues with a satellite navigation system, VICS (Vehide Information and Communication system) and a TV system (optional) incorporated in the dashboard, the first of its kind among Jaguar cars, as well as split-folding rear seats (6:4) and an air-conditioning system with side to side temperature control. These new features are added with the aim of meeting changes in customes' lifestyles, preferences and requirements for convenience.
XKR-based Concept Car to Make Its First Appearance in Japan
XK 180
The XK 180 is a concept cat that has been manufactured manually by craftsmen at Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operation (SVO) with the aim of appealing the SV0's operations and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar sports car XK series that started with the debut of the XK 120 in 1948. The Jaguar sports car XK series has had a track record of turning out a number of masterpieces. Market introduction of the XK 180 is not planned at this moment.
The XK 180 is 345 mm shorter in overall lengh than the current sports car model, the Jaguar XK8. The two-seat roadster was completed in 42 weeks after the starting of the project. The body styling is the work of Keith Helfet, who designed the Jaguar XJ220 a super sports car, under the supervision of the late Geoff Lawson, who was the director in charge of styling and was responsible for the body styling of all Jaguar cars that are currently on the market. It is strongly influenced by past Jaguar racing cars, especially the D-TYPE that won a series of victories in the 24-hour endurance race at the Le Mans in the 1950s.
Its aluminum body panel was produced by the long-established Abbey Panels in Coventry, U.K., which has participated in many Jaguar projects, including the C-TYPE and D-TYPE sports cars. The completed body was mounted on the platform that has a wheelbase 125mm shorter than that of the original Jaguar XKR platform, at the Jaguar headquarters plant.
The XK 180 is powered by an engine developed at the Jaguar Engineering Centre in Whitley, Coventry. The intercooler, the exhaust system and the supercharger performance are improved based on the Jaguar XKR 4.0-litre water-cooled V8 DOHC supercharged engine, boosting the maximum output from 370 bhp to 450 bhp.
In addition to the boosting of the engine output, its suspension is also thoroughly improved based on the XKR. The suspension was redesigned at the Engineering Centre. The brakes adopt large ventilated discs equipped with a Brembo aluminum 4 pot caliper, the disc is 355 mm in front and 315 mm at the rear. The aluminum two-piece wheel that wears the 255/35ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tire is 20 inches in size, the largest ever used on Jaguar cars.
One of the unique features of the XK 180 is the push-button-type gear selector installed on the steering wheel, which allows the driver to change gears while keeping his/her hands on the steering wheel. The selected gear is displayed on the dashboard. Not only does the performance of the XK 180 remind us of former competition models, its interior is also similar to that of Jaguar racing cars in those days, as represented by the Connolly Leather racing seats and the toggle switches on the aluminum dashboard.
Improved Quality and Value Through Innovative Technology
XJ Series 4-Door Saloon and XK Series 2-Door Coupe
XJ Series
Models of the XJ series are the basic saloons that have established Jaguar's reputation in recent years. Its roots goes back to the first XJ6 that appeared in 1969. The character that has created the nucleus of Jaguar that continues to the present, including the elegant body form, resutful interior and outstanding performance that inherits the tradition of fine English sports saloons, had already been perfected in this era. The original straight six engine was changed to the more modemistic V8 engine in 1998. Although this engine is completely controlled by a Japanese engine management system, the fine attention to driving performance exemplified by this series remains the same, from Jaguar's traditional high level of craftsmanship found in the hand-finished leather seats and wood panels to the exquisite suspension setting commonly described as "cat's stealth" and the powerful supercharged engine.
The new models feature changes throughout all aspects of the vehide,including ABS Plus, for improved braking performance during high-speed driving, used in all models of the series, or design changes of alloy wheels in nearly all models.
XK Series
The XK8 series and XKR series, equipped with a higher-performance supercharged engine, typify the inherent forte of Jaguar as a manufacturer of sports cars. Ever since its release in 1996, the first time Jaguar released a genuine sports car in 21 years, the models of the XK8 series have been praised by motor joumalists from around the world. The addition of the XKR, equipped with a supercharged engine, in 1998 has made the XK8 series into one of the most powerful series of sports car in the world. Both the coupe, with its attractive body that has gamished numerous awards, and the convertible model available for the XKR, have passenger capacities of 4 persons. The interior inherits the characteristics of the world of Jaguar exemplified by the walnut instrument panel and leather seats.
The new models also offer as standard equipment a DVD navigation system incorporated in the walnut instrument panel, and the "ABS Plus" braking system for improved braking performance at high speeds.
