 
| The Years 2000 to 2004 The new millennium dawned with Jaguar entering Formula 1, an event that was celebrated by the creation of the 'Silverstone' special edition of the XK8. Based on the supercharged XKR version of the XK8, the Silverstone was strictly oriented toward performance, with 20-inch alloy wheels shod with Pirelli's P-Zero tires and Brembo 4-piston brakes with aluminium calipers. The car was equipped with Jaguar's CATS (Computer Advanced Technology Suspension) system and a special handling pack developed by the company's SVO (Special Vehicles Operation) department. Originally, just 100 cars were planned, 50 coupes and 50 convertibles, which would be sold in Europe. The cars proved so successful, however, that a further production run of 500 cars was set up to provide for the demand from the United States and the rest of the world. Naturally, in view of the model's name, all 600 cars were painted in Platinum Silver. The Silverstone model foreshadowed a new range of performance options, the R range, which became available as options on production cars later in the year. The options included wheels, uprated brakes and handling packs specifically tailored to the XJR and XKR. The R options were developed by the Special Vehicle Operations department, which had built the XK 180. New Lawson Design Studio at Whitley Engineering Center In mid-2000 the company inaugurated a new advanced styling studio, named in honour of Geoff Lawson, the director of design who had died suddenly in June 1999. The purpose of the Lawson studio, located at the Whitley engineering centre and under the direction of Design Director Ian Callum, is to look beyond the immediate future and to explore new design concepts and market niches that could be realities for Jaguar's future. The head of the studio, Julian Thomson, summed up its purpose by saying: "Our job is to say 'What if?'" Introducing the X-TYPE As 2000 came towards its end, first details were made public of the car that had so far only been known under its codename of 'X400.' The X-TYPE, as it would be known, would go on sale in 2001 and was planned to double Jaguar's sales in its first year. The eagerly-awaited 'small Jaguar' would be a four-door sedan, powered by 2.5 and 3.0-liter V6 engines driving all four wheels. The minimal information that was released created enormous interest world-wide and much anticipation of the car's unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in 2001. New Web Site Launched Late in 2000, Jaguar introduced a new web site that enabled customers to see the complete range and to specify a car on-line. With access to all the available colours and options, the customer could view a 'virtual' car specified exactly to their personal taste. Research had shown that more and more potential customers for luxury cars were using the internet to research car purchases and the new site, www.jaguar.com, was a powerful selling tool. 2001 Geneva International Motor Show February of 2001 saw the unveiling of the X-TYPE at the Geneva International Motor Show. The car was the highlight of the show, for although basic details had been released ahead of the launch, so that testing of undisguised cars could be carried out without the fear of spy photographers, this was the first public showing. The appearance at the show and subsequent press road tests confirmed the fact that despite its size, this was a true Jaguar. The elegant and restrained styling carried over sufficient 'Jaguarness' to make the car instantly recognizable, and the interior trim maintained all the quality and comfort that had made the marque's reputation. Jaguar's First All-Wheel Drive System: Traction 4 Technically, the X-TYPE was notable for its all-wheel drive system, which split the drive 40/60 per cent between the front and rear wheels through a viscous coupling. It was the first all-wheel drive system fitted to a production Jaguar, and as such it reflected Jaguar's engineering knowledge and experience. Among the unique features of the Traction 4 system, as it was known, was a unique two-bearing top strut mount for the front suspension. Combined with ZF speed-sensitive power steering, the new design set new standards for all-wheel drive cars. 2.5-Liter and 3.0-Liter V6 Engines The engines for the X-TYPE were lightweight 4-cam V6 power units of 2.5 and 3.0 liter capacity that offered best-in-class specific power. Specially developed by Jaguar engineers to measure up to the high standards expected of the company that had created their legendary XK and V12 precursors, the new engines had continuously-variable cam-phasing, a variable-geometry air intake and a patented precision low-volume, high-velocity, cooling system. Designed to appeal to a wider, younger client base, the X-TYPE range started with the 2.5-liter V6, producing 194 horsepower, and was topped by the 3.0-liter Sport, with 227 horsepower. After an excellent reception in Geneva and by the press, the X-TYPE went on sale in May in Britain with other markets following soon after. The on-sale date followed closely upon the official inauguration of the Halewood plant, which had successfully been converted not only to Jaguar standards of quality and reliability, but also to the special mindset of pride in the product that identifies all Jaguar production facilities. 1,500,000th XJ8 Rolls Off Production Line That pride was clearly evident in July, when the 1.5 millionth Jaguar, an XJ8 sedan, came off the production line at Jaguar's oldest-established factory, Brown's Lane in Coventry. It had taken almost sixty years since the company was established for the production total to reach this landmark figure, but production was expanding at such a rate that 1.5 million should be doubled within less than ten years. The R Coupe Concept at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show The Frankfurt Motor Show in September saw the first example of the work of the Geoff Lawson advanced design studio, a muscular coupe designed to show possible future design trends and to gauge the public's response to these trends. Called the R-Coupe, the two-door four-seater featured paddle-type gear-changing, headlights that follow the steering, electronic door releases and a voice-control system for a range of accessories. This last feature continued to develop a system introduced in production Jaguars in the S-TYPE. The R-Coupe was not intended for production, enabling it to showcase less than practical but superbly stylish features including silver-plated interior detail and leather floor-covering. Mike Beasley Named Managing Director At the end of October, 2001, Jonathan Browning resigned as managing director and was succeeded by Mike Beasley, the man who had guided Jaguar manufacturing since the days of privatization. In a move designed to maximize the synergies of the three British luxury marques within the Premier Automotive Group, an operating committee was set up to oversee the activities of Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover. The CEO of Land Rover, Bob Dover, who during his days at Jaguar had been responsible for the XK8 project, was made its chairman. The S-TYPE Range Expands December 2001 marked the announcement of an important development in the S-TYPE range, which underwent major modifications to its chassis, including all new front and modified rear suspension. The body was lightened and stiffened, and for the first time there was an R performance version of the car. The S-TYPE was now available with an enlarged version of the XK8 engine, with a capacity of 4.2 liters. The R version was equipped with a supercharger, and in this form the engine delivered no less than 390 horsepower, making the S-TYPE R the fastest Jaguar sedan at the time. A new introduction on the 4.2-liter models was an electronic parking brake, operated by a button on the dash rather than a floor-mounted lever. Total production for 2001 exceeded 100,000 cars, a landmark for the company. The extended X-TYPE range and the improved S-TYPE made an improvement on that figure for 2002 a target that could be attacked with confidence. The Jaguar Heritage Collection 2002 opened with the announcement that Jaguar was to establish a collection of important historic cars, on the same lines to that held by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, in the United States. To be called the Jaguar Heritage Collection, it would have the purpose of building a collection of cars relevant to Jaguar's development in its largest export market. The cars would act as a reminder of Jaguar's heritage and would be available to Jaguar dealers in North America for exhibition purposes. Mark Fields Named New CEO of Premiere Automotive Group In April, Dr Wolfgang Reitzle resigned his post as CEO of Premier Automotive Group to take up a leading post in German industry. The new CEO of the group was Mark Fields, previously head of Mazda Motors Corporation. The All-New XJ Unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show The Paris Motor Show, held in September, marked the unveiling of a completely new and technically advanced saloon range that replaced the existing XJ8. Developed under the project name of X350, the new XJ is a major step forward not only for Jaguar but also for the automobile industry, the first series-production car to use aluminium for the majority of its body components. The XJ's Use of Aluminum Aluminium is a material that poses unique problems to the engineers, but offers unique advantages to the driver and owner. Jaguar's engineers were determined to overcome the problems they faced in order to create a car that would fully utilise twenty-first century technology. The body structure features the first use in the industry of rivet-bonded joining technology, with self-pierce rivets and aerospace-sourced epoxy adhesive joining together the aluminium pressings, castings and extrusions. The extensive use of aluminium made the new XJ up to 200 kg lighter than the model it replaced, despite the fact that the new car was longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, offering improved headroom, legroom and shoulder-room for all the occupants. In addition to being 40% lighter than that of the previous XJ, the bodyshell of the new car is 10-15% stiffer, offering valuable improvements in body strength and driveability. The All-New XJ: Stronger, Faster, Safer, Smarter The new car is powered by the existing 4.2-liter V8 engine, in both supercharged and normally-aspirated forms. In addition there are versions powered by a new 3.5-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter V6. All engines drive through a six-speed automatic transmission. Self-leveling air suspension is another innovation, and is standard on all models in combination with the CATS system. The car features a wide range of electronic technologies, including Dynamic Stability Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, and Jaguar's Adaptive Restraint System, previously introduced on the XK8, which adapts the deployment of the passenger airbags in relation to the size and position of the passenger. The new car's styling clearly shows its Jaguar DNA. Designed to be a luxury car, with the gravitas that implies, its proportions and stance, together with its obvious dynamic quality, give it real presence on the road. The 'aluminium XJ' is the seventh generation of Jaguar to carry the XJ badge. The first was in 1968. By the time the new car went on sale, in the spring of 2003, some 800,000 XJ's had been produced. X-TYPE Celebrates 100,000 Sales It is interesting to note that as the new big sedan was being released into showrooms, the X-TYPE was celebrating its first 100,000 sales. New Rail Terminal at Castle Bromwich In March of 2003, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, inaugurated a new rail terminal at the Castle Bromwich factory. The new railhead would serve as a loading-point for cars for export and would take a large amount of traffic off Britain's overloaded road system. Mike Wright Named Managing Director of Jaguar In Mid-2003 Mike Beasley retired from his position as managing director and was replaced by Mike Wright. Mike Beasley joined Jaguar in 1974 as director of product and plant engineering. He was successively promoted to become plant director, director of Manufacturing, and in 1999 executive director Manufacturing and Engineering. He was appointed managing director in October 2001. Jaguar's First-Ever Diesel-Powered Cars In June 2003 a joint announcement between Jaguar's parent, Ford, and France's PSA Peugeot Citroen released details of two new diesel engines that would provide Jaguar with its first-ever diesel-powered cars. Designed by teams from the American and French companies working together, the two new engines were a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit, to be offered as an alternative to the 2.0-liter gas engine in the X-TYPE, and a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 that would be introduced into the S-TYPE range in 2004. Both engines utilize the latest common-rail diesel technology and were specially developed to satisfy the needs of luxury car buyers, with low noise levels and smooth performance. The smoothness, high torque and modest fuel consumption of modern diesels have made them big sellers in Europe, and Jaguar's expansion into a wider market made a diesel option an important element in the company's range. Introducing the JP1 Sport Racing Car The summer of 2003 saw a new performance car with a Jaguar engine at its heart. Former racing driver turned motor sport entrepreneur Jonathan Palmer introduced the JP1, a sports racing car designed to give normal drivers the feel of driving a real competition car on a closed track. Designed in the style of a Le Mans-type sports racing car, the JP1 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 similar to that used in the X-TYPE. The engine has been modified by Cosworth, the company that provides Jaguar's Formula 1 engines, to give more power and increased torque. The JP1 is a mid-engine rear-drive car with a racing-style six-speed sequential gearbox. It has fully-adjustable racing suspension mounted on a chassis built of steel tubing and covered with fibreglass body panels. Weighing just 650 kg, the JP1 can accelerate from zero to sixty miles an hour in just 3.6 seconds. A pure racing car, the JP1 was designed strictly for track use at Jonathan Palmer's Autodrome facility near the town of Bedford, where enthusiasts are able to sample high performance cars under controlled conditions. New Testing Facility Opens at the Nürburgring in Germany While the JP1's were being deployed on the private track, Jaguar was opening its own facility at one of the most famous racing circuits in the world, the Nürburgring in Germany. Although the 14.2-mile track is no longer used for major international races, the 'Ring' has become a world-class test track for major motor manufacturers. Testing prototypes over the hundreds of corners and climbs and descents of the legendary road course enables engineers to push the cars to extremes that could never be duplicated on normal roads with normal traffic and traffic laws. By setting up its own workshop and test facility in Germany, Jaguar can draw the full benefit from the testing opportunities that the Nürburgring provides. 2003 Frankfurst Motor Show The Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 2003, was an important showcase for Jaguar. It was the first public appearance of a major extension of the X-TYPE range, the X-TYPE Estate, and it marked the surprise unveiling of another concept car from the Advanced Styling Studio, the RD-6. The X-TYPE Estate, Jaguar's first-ever station wagon, was introduced, like the diesel-engined version, in response to changing trends in the X-TYPE's market segment. More than a quarter of the sales in this segment are of station wagons, and Jaguar customers have a right to expect that the company should provide a vehicle combining the spaciousness and adaptability of this body style with the qualities that had made the X-TYPE such a success. The new Estate was based on the X-TYPE sedan, with unique new body styling and structure from the B-pillars back - including the rear doors and roof. With the rear seats folded down, the X-TYPE Estate offers more loading volume than all its main German rivals. The all-wheel drive system is standard throughout the range, and all engine options are available, from the 2-liter gas and diesel-powered units to the 3.0-liter V6 gas engine. The format of the Estate, with its capability to carry all the requirements of a family, together with its competitive price mean that the pleasure of owning a Jaguar is now open to an even greater range of customers. The R-D6 Concept The R-D6 concept car showed Jaguar's "new design direction." It took the form of a close-coupled four-seater coupe, which differed from the conventional ideas of coupe styling by having four doors. Apart from the grille, which is similar to that of the S-TYPE of the present and the C and D-TYPE racers of the past, the R-D6 broke away from accepted ideas of "Jaguarness." Shorter than an XK8, despite being a full four-seater, it uses very large wheels, no less than 21 inches in diameter, and short front and rear overhangs to emphasise muscularity and power. The interior follows the established Jaguar style of using rich materials - fine leather and highly-polished wood - to create an environment that is welcoming and comfortable. However, the materials and styles are strictly 21st century, styled in a manner that is described by design director Ian Callum as "beyond contemporary." Using machined aluminium fixtures and trim together with black leather and black-finished American walnut veneers on the doors, instrument console and even the floor. The rear doors are hinged at their rear edges, like some cars of the nineteen-thirties, and the rear luggage-hatch is hinged at the side, in a fashion originally used in the E-TYPE. Underlining the forward-looking ethos behind the R-D6, the power-unit is the 2.7-liter V6 turbocharged diesel announced in mid-2003 and due for use in the S-TYPE in the 2004 model year. The torque of the diesel is greater than that of the 4.2-liter V8 gas engine, so it is no surprise that the R-D6 should be capable of zero to sixty miles an hour in under six seconds. A maximum power of 239 hp gives the car a top speed that is electronically limited at 155 mph. Joe Greenwell Named Chairman and CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover Later in September there were further management changes when Bob Dover retired. His successor as chairman and CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover was Joe Greenwell, who had joined Jaguar twenty years earlier. Having held executive positions in sales and marketing and communications and public affairs in Jaguar and Ford, he returned to Coventry, where he had started his career with Jaguar, from the position of Vice President of Global Marketing at Ford in Detroit. 2004 North American International Auto Show The first new model of 2004 was the third generation of the S-TYPE, introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Building on the chassis improvements introduced at the end of 2001, the new styling modifications incorporated in the latest iteration of Jaguar's mid-range car gave it a cleaner, leaner, more muscular look. A new hood, made of aluminum rather than steel, lightened the car both in overall terms and in terms of front/rear weight distribution, with less weight on the front wheels improving the handling balance. In addition to the new bonnet, revised exterior body panels gave the car tighter panel fits and improved quality. There were changes inside the car too, one of the most noticeable being the introduction of aluminium as an alternative to wood for the facia panels of the more sporting models. The soft gleam of the lightweight metal brought back memories of classic sporting Jaguars of the past. The suspension had been subtly modified, but the influence of the changes was significant, making the car even more refined and comfortable. The engine range remained wide, from the all-aluminium 2.5 and 3.0-liter V6 units to the supercharged 4.2-liter V8 of the S-TYPE R, but one of the most important introductions was the availability from June of the 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 diesel announced the previous year. It was confidently expected that this would make the S-TYPE even more popular in European markets. 2003 Geneva Motor Show In Geneva, two months later, Jaguar once again introduced major updates, this time to the XK range. The XK8 coupe and convertible had been continuously improved throughout their lives, particularly since 2001, but the 2004 model year saw noticeable external changes, designed to give the car a more contemporary feel. These took the form of a revised nose and rear section that were complemented by new side sills, wheels and trim. Combined with major improvements in the cars' electronics, introduced in 2001, and the more powerful 4.2-liter engine, producing 390 hp in supercharged form in the XKR models, the new styling features gave the XK8 a new lease of life in the luxury sports car segment of the market. 2003 New York Auto Show As spring came to New York, that city's motor show brought another Jaguar introduction and another stylish concept car. The introduction was that of the long wheelbase version of the aluminium-bodied XJ sedan. With a wheelbase five inches longer than that of the standard XJ, the long wheelbase version, which will go on sale in the autumn of 2004, provides even more legroom for rear seat passengers. Weighing just 24 kg more than the standard wheelbase model, the longer version is still 200 kg lighter than the previous generation XJ. It is also considerably lighter than all its competitors in the long-wheelbase luxury saloon car segment, despite having the longest wheelbase and overall length in its class. Jaguar's Concept Eight To show the potential of the new extended XJ, the designers in Jaguar's Advanced Design Studio created the Concept Eight, a car designed, in the words of Design Director Ian Callum, not for work, but "for luxurious entertaining on those long, late nights out." The car is a vehicle for sybarites, equipped not with plugs for laptop computers, but with craftily-stowed Waterford crystal champagne flutes. There are no reading lamps suitable for the fine print of the financial press, but a unique diffused glow of red light that adds atmosphere to the interior and escapes into the night air through a full-length glass roof. And of course, since champagne flutes are useless without champagne, there is a bottle cooler integrated into the centre console. It's obvious that this is a car designed around the passengers, mainly the two that occupy the pair of luxurious rear seats. But since it is a Jaguar, it is still a driver's car, with a 4.2-liter supercharged engine that will take it to a maximum speed of 155 mph, when the electronics cut in to remind the driver that even in a Jaguar there are limits. Introduced eighty-two years after young William Lyons started his first business, the Concept Eight is a perfect example of how his standards have been maintained. Elegant, luxurious, powerful, exciting to drive and just a little naughty, it couldn't be anything other than a Jaguar. Sir William would have approved. Bibiana Boerio Named Managing Director of Jaguar Bibiana 'Bibie' Boerio rejoined Jaguar as managing director for Jaguar Cars in July 2004 after serving a year as director of Strategy and Finance for Ford Motor Co. International Operations. Prior to that, she served as Ford Credit's executive vice president and chief financial officer from October 2000 to April 2003, where she helped develop, launch and implement Ford Credit's Revitalization Plan. From August 1995 to October 2000, she was the director of Finance for Jaguar Cars and was responsible for providing financial support and business strategy for the design, development, manufacturing and sale of Jaguar's premium luxury vehicles around the world. |
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