Jaguar · 2002–2009

Jaguar XJ (X350)

The Jaguar XJ (X350) is a full-size four-door luxury saloon car manufactured and marketed worldwide by Jaguar Cars for model years 2003–2009 as the third generation of the Jaguar XJ saloon, carrying the internal designation X350 and the internal designation X358 following its 2007 intermediate facelift. Both the X350 and X358 were available with a six-speed automatic transmission, a range of petrol and diesel engines (V6, V8, and supercharged V8), numerous trim levels, and short wheelbase (2003–2009) or long wheelbase (2005–2009) car body configurations. The extended-length model was the longest saloon Jaguar had manufactured, eclipsing the 1961–1970 Mark X, though the latter is still 3 inches (8 cm) wider. The X350 was noted for its advanced electrical systems, self-leveling, adaptive air suspension, and full aluminium unibody chassis and bodywork, among the first for a mass-produced automobile. The bodyshell (body in white) was 40 per cent lighter and 50 percent stiffer than its predecessor, despite its increased overall size. Styling was a conservative evolution of the previous XJ's styling, and its slatted grille recalled that of the original 1968 XJ Series I. Exterior styling was by principal designer Tom Owen, along with Sandy Boyes, under the design directorship of Geoff Lawson, who died midway through the project, and his successor Ian Callum. The XJ's interior was styled by Giles Taylor. The XJ was manufactured at Jaguar's Browns Lane plant in Coventry and was the final Jaguar to be produced there. With an unpainted and highly polished example of its all-alloy body shell on display, the X350 debuted at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. The full X350/358 generation largely coincided with Jaguar's ownership by Ford's Premier Automotive Group until Tata Motors purchased Jaguar in 2008. Production ended in March 2009 after seven years, with a total production of 83,566. While it was generally well received and profitable, sales were less than Jaguar had expected. It was followed by the XJ X351.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Jaguar XJ (X308) · Successor: Jaguar XJ (X358)

All Jaguar XJ data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

X350

=== Body and chassis === The X350's aluminium bodyshell used an aerospace construction method, a hybrid of adhesive bonding and rivet joinery and known as rivet-bonding or riv-bonding, which was an industry first in volume automotive production. Both chassis and car body formed an aluminium unibody structure. Using aluminium rather than steel required new techniques, technological development, and production layout, along with significant investment. The stressed aluminium unibody used 15 aluminium castings, 35 extrusions, and 284 stampings, which were bonded using 120 yards of robotically applied, heat-cured, aerospace-grade epoxy adhesives, and approximately 3,200 self-piercing zinc-coated, boron steel rivets, which were Jaguar's first use of self-piercing rivets. In addition to the rivets, which do not require a predrilled or punched hole, each rivet making its own hole on insertion, the process also uses a small number of nuts, bolts, and spot welds. Castings and extrusions accounted for about 11 percent of the XJ bodyshell. To ensure manufacturing feasibility, numerous styling elements required a redesign to accommodate forming in aluminium rather than steel, including the bonnet profiles, especially around the headlamps; the radii in the wing-to-bumper gaps and the rear wing/door shut pressing; the side light configuration, and the bodyside haunch. Jaguar's chief program engineer Russ Varney, who engineered the Jaguar XK's 2007 redesign, said the XJ also taught Jaguar "about the 'springback' of stamped parts, where the pieces won't keep their exact shape." To reduce front-end collision repair costs and ameliorate increased insurance rates associated with aluminium construction, the body was designed to withstand an impact of 10 mph without structural damage and

X356 (2005 facelift)

The facelifted X350 debuted in 2005 for the model year 2006, with a revised front grille, deleted mid-door trim and slightly redesigned front fenders. Some vehicle electronics systems were updated. Trim levels.

X358 (2007 facelift)

The facelifted X350 debuted in February 2007 for the 2008 model year with a revised front grille and front bumper assembly featuring a prominent lower grille. A Jaguar emblem within the grille replaced the previous bonnet-mounted ornament. The front lights were revised and door mirrors incorporated side repeaters. The front wings had prominent faux side vents, and the side sills, rear bumper, and taillights were revised. The interior featured redesigned front seats. Trim levels. === Markets === United Kingdom As of November 2007, the following XJ models were available in the United Kingdom: XJ 2.7D Executive XJ 2.7D Sport Premium XJ 3.0L Executive XJ 2.7D Sovereign 3.0L Sovereign 4.2L Sovereign XJR 4.2L supercharged Daimler Super Eight Models with the 2.7-litre diesel or with the 3.0-litre petrol V6 engines were known as the XJ6 (since the engines had six cylinders), while the 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine mounted in the Sovereign resulted in that model being known as the XJ8. The model list for the United Kingdom did not include the 3.5-litre V8 engine available in Germany. Germany From May 2007, the following models were available in Germany: XJ6 2.7L Diesel Classic XJ6 2.7L Diesel Executive XJ6 3.0L Executive XJ8 3.5L Executive XJ8 4.2L Executive XJ6 2.7L Diesel Sovereign XJ8 3.5L Sovereign XJ8 4.2L Sovereign XJR 4.2L V8 Kompressor (this model had the supercharged V8 variant) Daimler Super Eight North America From May 2007, the following XJ models were available in North America: XJ8 XJ8L XJR XJ Vanden Plas (this model was equivalent to Daimler in Europe; the name Daimler was not used by Jaguar in the United States because of trademark restrictions) XJ Super V8 (this model was equivalent to Daimler in Europe; the name Daimler was not used by Jaguar in the United

Special uses

The car was used by British prime ministers, including Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Previous and successive versions of the XJ were also used by Margaret Thatcher, John Major, David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson as their Prime Ministerial Car.

Reception

The XJ (X350) generally received positive reactions and compared well to its main competitors, while criticism rested on its conservative style design, which some critics said did not reflect the car's innovation and technology; to address this and increase sales, a facelift was available in 2007. A more radical, postmodern design was done for the XJ (X351), which nonetheless shared the X350's platform, and the X350 remained the last of retro-designed Jaguars. As of February 2010, it had sold 295,365 units. Before its release in 2003, an X350 was tested by Jaguar historian Paul Skilleter. An X358 TDVi was featured in an episode of BBC 2's Top Gear. It was driven 750 miles on a single tank of fuel by Jeremy Clarkson from Basel to Blackpool. Despite coming second behind a VW Polo BlueMotion the presenters agreed that the Jaguar was "the true hero". Clarkson described the car as "astonishing". About the X350's all-alluminium body, Andrew Frankel of Hagerty wrote: "In fact the car was a revolution. Because beneath those golf club car park looks lurked what I believe to be the first entirely aluminum monocoque designed for a mass production road car [Editor's note: Technically the Honda NSX got there first, but it depends where you draw the line for 'mass production'....]." Despite its similarity to the XJ (X308), the X350 was praised for its elegant styling, engine, technology, interior, and handling, while the rear legroom was relatively small considered the car's length. In his review of the 2003 Jaguar XJ8, Jonathan Hawley wrote: "When pushed hard over lumpy and twisting roads, the air suspension can get a little confused and produces some nasty thumping noises." In his review for NRMA, Bill McKinnon said: "The 3.5. likes to be revved and delivers its best when worked m

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Jaguar XJ (X350)

Manufacturer

Jaguar Cars

aka

Jaguar XJ6, Jaguar XJ8, Jaguar Vanden Plas, Jaguar XJR, Jaguar XJ Super V8, Daimler Super Eight

Production

September 2002 – March 2009, 83,556 produced

Model years

2003–2009

Assembly

United Kingdom: Coventry (Browns Lane Assembly); Birmingham (Castle Bromwich Assembly)

Predecessor

Jaguar XJ (X308)

Successor

Jaguar XJ (X351)

Class

Full-size luxury car (F)

Body style

4-door saloon

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Transmission

6-speed 6HP26 automatic

Related

Jaguar XK (X150)

Wheelbase

SWB: 119.4 in, LWB: 124.4 in

Length

SWB: 200.4 in, LWB: 205.3 in

Width

2004–2005: 73.2 in

Height

SWB: 57 in, LWB: 57.3 in

Kerb weight

3946 lb

Engine

Petrol, 3.0 L AJ30 V6, 3.5 L AJ V8, 4.2 L AJ34 V8, 4.2 L AJ34S supercharged V8, Diesel, 2.7 L Ford AJD V6

sp

uk

Designer

Exterior:, Tom Owen with Sandy Boyes (1998, 1999), Interior:, Giles Taylor, Geoff Lawson (design director, 1997–1999)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1678522CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ_(X350)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1368211668 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jaguar_XJ8_Vanden_Plas.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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