Jaguar Cars introduced its re-engineered 1998 XJ Series sedan at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. The XJ8 succeeds the XJ6.
Jaguar also said pricing for all 1998 models sold in the U.S. will remain at 1997 levels.
In the case of the new XJ Series, content has been upgraded: a new engine, new interior, five-speed automatic transmission, standard Automatic Stability Control and side-impact air bags for the driver and front passenger.
The standard-wheelbase XJ8 and the long-wheelbase XJ8 L and Vanden Plas are powered by a 4-liter, 290-horsepower V-8. A supercharged version of the engine for the XJR develops 370 h.p. for a zero-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds.
A revitalized Jaguar reports that the number of warranty repairs per sedan has dropped 70 percent since 1989.
“The reduction in warranty expenditures created by those quality gains are contributing powerfully to our pricing competitiveness,” said Michael H. Dale, president of Jaguar Cars North America.
Revised service schedules, which extend spark plug life to 100,000 miles and oil change intervals to 10,000 miles, dramatically reduce the cost of maintaining Jaguars with the naturally aspirated AJ-V-8 engine.
Additionally, the ZF automatic transmission is factory-filled.
