Customers Take to the Track in Jaguar's 2004 XJ

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2003 -- Taking a new car test drive usually involves little more than a quick trip around the block.

For drivers testing the all-new 2004 Jaguar XJ, it could mean a quick trip around a race track -- at foot-to-the-floor speeds of up to 120 mph.

The on-track drives are part of Jaguar's highly-successful 'All-new 2004 Jaguar XJ Born to Perform Tour' -- a new test-drive concept that combines the thrill of driving a new, all-aluminum XJ at high speed with the thrill of watching vintage race cars compete.

Potential XJ customers are invited to spend a day as a VIP guest of Jaguar at a vintage race meeting, take-in a guided tour of the racing paddock, see the Jaguar Select Edition Racing E-Types in action, and have the chance to drive the all-new XJ either on the track or around a challenging autocross course.

"Performance is in Jaguar's blood. It's part of our DNA. The 'Born to Perform' tour not only highlights our rich racing pedigree but allows customers to experience for themselves the true performance of the all-new XJ," said George Ayres, Vice President of Marketing for Jaguar North America.

For many, that 'experience' has included the chance to take to the track behind the wheel of Jaguar's flagship 2004 XJR, with its 390-horsepower supercharged V8 and standstill to 60mph acceleration in a thrilling 5.0 seconds. But even on the track, few came close to reaching the XJR's 155mph top speed.

Since the 'Born to Perform Tour' kicked off at the Road Atlanta circuit on April 24-27, more than 6,000 potential customers have accepted Jaguar's invitation to attend -- some driving more than 200 miles to take part.

In addition to Road Atlanta, events have also been held at Summit Point Raceway, WV; Lime Rock Park, CT; Infineon Raceway, CA; California Speedway, CA; and Road America, WI. The tour wraps-up at the Moroso Speedway, FL on November 2.

According to Ayres, the 'Born to Perform Tour' has already translated into strong sales of the new XJ. In its first two months on the market since the car's June 2 North American launch, 2,494 new XJs have been sold -- double that of the same months in 2002. July was also the best sales month for the XJ since December 1999.

"Feedback from potential customers after the events has been extremely positive. More than 45 per cent of those attending told us they were likely to buy, or would seriously consider buying, a new XJ," he explained.

The all-new 2004 XJ is the most technically-advanced car ever built by Jaguar. Under the skin, it features a monocoque body structure made entirely of lightweight aluminum that is riveted and bonded for exceptional strength and rigidity. The new XJ is powered by a choice of normally-aspirated or supercharged 4.2-liter V8s coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.