Friday, January 3, 1992 - North Shore News- 15 =
a EES

we

Jaguar XJS

Photo submitted

A surprisingly agile, fun-to-drive performance car

FOR THOSE who remember the glory days of Jaguar
sports cars, the XK120, C-Type, D Type and E-Type, and
Jaguar’s 40 years of ongoing racing victories, it’s almost
unbelievable that Jaguar hasn’t had a sports car in its

line-up since 1974.

The XJS luxury coupe has
never really taken the place of the
E-Type, particularly as it has only
been offered (in Canada) with an
automatic transmission, VI2
engine and a soft-riding suspen-
sion.

Jaguar has partially rectified
this situation with the new XJS
4.0 litre Coupe which offers an in-
line six-cylinder engine, manual
five-speed transmission, and
sports-tuned suspension (not
available in the XJS_ convertible).
The new drivetrain and suspension
combination effectively transforms
the XJS into a surprisingly agile,
fun-to-drive performance car. It’s
not an E-Type, but it’s the closest
thing modern-day Jaguar en-
thusiasts will get.

There is an automatic transmis-
sion for those who prefer it; and
electronically-controlled ZF
four-speed automatic transmission
with Normal and Sport modes for
economical or sportier driving. If
you’re planning on doing most of
your driving in the city, and
you’re not partial to manual
transmissions, the automatic is
probably your best bet. Though I
like the new Getrag five-speed
manual box very much, I have to
admit that it has a deliberate and
firm throw, and the clutch is
comparatively heavy; not the easi-
est transmission for stop-and-go
traffic.

While it’s not obvious to the

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

casual observer, the new XJS
(both convertible and coupe body
styles) have been restyled
significantly. More than 40% of
all XJS body panels have been
changed to improve appearance
and body rigidity. The most
noticeable changes are the full-
width rear taillights, revised grille
and headlight design, flush-
mounted door glass and rear
quarter windows, and a rear win-
dow that is more sloped than be-
fore. The interior has also
undergone extensive revisions.

The XJS cuts a very low pro-
file, looking quite muscular with
its huge hood bulge, comparative-
ly wide body. low roofline, and

big 60 series performance radials
and alloy wheels. It’s easy to
forget that after 17 years, there’s
no mistaking an XJS for anything
else.

Under that long hood is a very
long engine. Displacing 3,980 cc,
the dual overhead cam, four-
valve-per-cylinder inline six-
cylinder engine pumps out 223
horsepower at 4,750 rpm (this
engine first appeared in the XJ6
sedan in 1989). Just like Jaguar
engines of the past, the big six has
loads of torque available at lower
engine speeds. The XJS will hap-
pily pull away in fifth gear at 50
km/h all the way to its maximum
speed of 228 km/h. Frem a stand-
ing start, the XJS will accelerate
to 100 km/h in under eight se-
conds, faster than the V12-
powered XJS.

Unlike the XJS V1I2, the six-
cylinder model has minimum body
roll during cornering. For a heavy
1,700 kilogram car, the XJS is
predictable, controllable, and
manoeuvrable. The power-assisted

Price as tested $66,100

Base price $63,100

Type two-door, four-passenger
luxury coupe

Layout longtitudinal
engine/rear wheel drive
Engine 3,980 cc inline six-
cylinder, DOMC, 24 valves,
electronic fuel injection
Horsepower 223 @ 4,750 rpm

front

rack and pinion steering is quite
precise and has a light feel, and
the four-wheel, anti-lock disc
brakes are phenomenaily good, al-
though requiring a fair amount of
pedal pressure.

Inside the “‘big cat’? is a new
and well-equipped interior with a
traditional British flair. Burt
walnut trim adorns the dash, con-
sole, and doors. Sturdy, rough-
looking leather seats (optional)
look like they could stand 30 years
of steady bottom-rubbing.

The new instrument cluster goes
back to basics, with two large
main dials (tach and speedo) and
four supplementary gauges (fuel,
battery, coolant temperature, and
oil pressure). The latter replace
the ‘‘barrel-type’’ gauges fitted to
the previous model.

A trip computer is off to the
right of these gauges and a new
audio system is low on the con-
sole, located strangely enough, be-
tween the rotary heater/air condi-
tioning and fan controls. Some
hixury features include elec-

Torque 278-lbs-ft

rpm

Transmission Getrag five-speed

manual (ZF four-speed

automatic, electronically-con-

trolled, Normal/Sport modes)

Carb weight 1,730 kg/3,814
Ss.

Wheelbase 2,591 mm/102.0 in.

Length 4,764 mm/187.6 in.

@ 3,650

tronically-adjustable seats, central
door locking, heated door mir-
rors, and optional trunk-mounted
CD player. A large (tilting) steer-
ing wheel to remind you, lest you
forget, that you are driving a
Jaguar automobile. An airbag is
not available.

With its low roof, high door
sill, and wide centre console, the
Jaguar is a snug fit for six-
footers. With the driver’s seat in
its normal position, there is no leg
room for rear passengers, making
the rear seats an academic exer-
cise. The trunk has enough usable
space for two persons’ luggage.

Jaguar has now come out with
a new four year,'80,000 kilometre
warranty which includes scheduled
maintenance and a roadside
assistance program.

At a base price of $63,100, the
XJS is certainly not cheap. How-
ever, there is simply no other car
in this class with the traditional
British charm and race-bred spirit
and performance of a Jaguar
XJS.

Width 1,793 mm/70.6 in.
Height 1,254 mm/19.4 in.

Tires 235/60 VR-15 high-per-
formance radials

Trunk space 393 litres/14 cu.ft.
Fuel econumy City 11.4 1/100
km, 25 mpg; Hwy 8.2 1/100
km, 34 mpg

Warrant: Complete: four yrs/
80,000 : is