The Jaguar XJ (X350) (2004-2007) is a luxury car from Jaguar Cars introduced as the successor of the XJ Mark 2 (X308), and facelifted as the XJ (X358) in 2008.
In early 2003, the all-new third generation XJ (Jaguar project code X350) arrived in showrooms as a Model Year 2004. While the car's exterior and interior styling were traditional in appearance, the car was completely re-engineered. The new car also saw the return of the fabled XJ6 badge, and with it 6-cylinder power, albeit in a V-configuration. It is only equipped with an automatic transmission, like most Jaguars.
Like the Audi A8's, the X350's chassis and body are constructed from aluminium. While some steel is used in places throughout the chassis, the X350 has a stressed aluminium monocoque/chassis similar in general design to a conventional steel structure, but with two differences; its underbody components are bonded together with aerospace-grade epoxy adhesives while around 3,200 self-piercing rivets are used to create the new XJ's unibody.
This differs from the A8's construction which uses an aluminium spaceframe to which aluminium panels are then attached. However, the aluminium Audi A8 weighs a comparatively high 1,830 kg (4,000 lb) (3.0 V6 TDi) compared to 1,539 kg (3,390 lb) of the (3.0 V6) XJ. On its own, the current XJ's bodyshell weighs about the same as a contemporary BMW MINI. If the car were made of steel, it is estimated that it would weigh 40% more.
