Beautiful Fast Cars - Jaguar's 2004 and 2005 Model Year Vehicles at the New York International Auto Show

NEW YORK, April 7 -- Unveiled at the 2004 New York International Auto Show and on sale from September, Jaguar has unveiled its new 2005 Model Year Long Wheelbase XJ sedan range. Already recognized as one of the most advanced cars on the road today thanks to its aluminum-intensive monocoque rivet-bonded construction, the 2005 XJ adds a new long wheelbase format for the North American market and a new model range line-up offering all the luxury, craftsmanship and thrilling driving dynamics expected from the revered British marque.

The 2005 XJ Long Wheelbase is a full-size luxury sedan boasting an even roomier interior, thanks to a 5-inch stretch to the car's wheelbase. The roofline is raised 0.28 inches and rear knee room has increased 4.5 inches, which ensures this biggest Jaguar ever is ideally suited to North American customer requirements.

Also on show is Jaguar's cleaner, leaner, and more muscular S-TYPE premium mid-size sports sedan. Subtly, yet comprehensively re-designed from nose to tail, the 2005 S-TYPE features a new, crisper front-end design and bolder, more athletic rear proportions.

To improve weight distribution and handling, the new S-TYPE features a redesigned hood made of lightweight aluminum in place of heavier steel. The re-engineered body also brings much tighter, closer panel fits throughout the car, emphasizing the 2005 S-TYPE's impressive build quality.

Inside, there are significant changes to the S-TYPE's cabin. Redesigned instruments feature cleaner, clearer chronograph-style dials. Additionally, new for 2005 is the Bronze Madrona veneer or Burl Walnut on the high-luxury VDP Edition. For the first time on a contemporary Jaguar sedan, there is the option of a striking, high-tech aluminum fascia finish in place of traditional wood.

A program of subtle but significant upgrades have been applied to the 2005 Jaguar XK. Building upon successive updates applied to the XK Coupe and Convertible over the past three years, Jaguar announces a series of revisions for the 2005 model year to give the four-model XK range even greater appeal.

The XK's iconic looks take on a more contemporary feel with the addition of a revised nose and rear section, including the addition of a lower front "mouth profile," which is complemented by new side sills and wheels. The XK8 receives a full-width grille splitter and larger dual tailpipe exhaust finishers. The high performance supercharged XKR models also get a new mesh grille, quad tailpipe exhaust finishers and a larger rear spoiler.

From its launch in 1996 the XK8 rapidly became the fastest-selling sports car in Jaguar's history. It soon forged a place for itself as one of the world's most desirable cars, thanks to stunning looks and thrilling performance.

Additionally, Jaguar North America has re-aligned pricing for its 3.0-liter V6 X-TYPE premium compact sedan, effectively reducing the equipment- adjusted base MSRP by $4,800 to $34,395, including destination charge.

In addition, there is a restructured "Sport" package being offered on the X-TYPE 3.0, which features eye-catching 18-inch alloy wheels and an upgraded 320-watt premium sound system -- the most powerful in the premium compact class.

  2005 XJ Long Wheelbase Sedan - At a Glance
  -- A full size Jaguar flagship sedan with agile handling
  -- Just 53lb weight increase over standard wheelbase models
  -- Unsurpassed rear headroom
  -- Wheelbase and overall length both extended by 5 inches, and height
     increased by 0.28 inches
  -- Longest wheelbase and overall length in class deliver exceptional
     interior space, while still being compact enough for everyday
     drivability
  -- A choice of rear seating configurations, from fixed bench to power
     adjustable bench
  -- Longer rear doors further improve accessibility to larger rear
     passenger space
  -- Comprehensive range of comfort and equipment options -- including
     folding Business Tray work-tables, four zone climate control with
     individual rear passenger settings, Multimedia Entertainment system
     with twin display screens, DVD player and universal connectivity
     compatible with iPod, MP3, etc.
  -- The ultimate in XJ refinement, smoother and quieter than ever
  -- Uncompromised XJ style with prestige and presence, thanks to subtle
     changes in proportion and detail, including new grille treatments and
     new, larger diameter wheel designs
  -- All the advantages of the XJ's unique, technically advanced, aluminum
     alloy monocoque body shell construction
  -- Brilliant performance engineering reveals a light, strong, fast,
     one-of-a-kind driving experience

  2005 S-TYPE - At a Glance
  -- New exterior styling gives a cleaner, leaner, more muscular look
  -- Aluminum, rather than steel, hood is lighter and improves weight
     distribution and further enhances handling balance
  -- Available aluminum interior trim package for S-TYPE Sport and S-TYPE R
    (special order) echoes classic sporting Jaguars, and offers S-TYPE
    customers an alternative to wood trim for the first time
  -- New high-luxury VDP Edition package with amenities such as premium
     soft-grain leather, Burl Walnut veneers, contrast seat piping, heated
     front seats with 16-way driver/12-way passenger power, unique 17"
     multi-spoke Aurora wheels and standard Xenon headlamps with auto
     leveling
  -- Revised exterior panels bring tighter panel fits, improved quality
  -- Revised interior adds new instrument panel, clearer displays, greater
     choice of colors and high-quality trims
  -- Revised and extended features include the option of 18-inch wheels
     across the range, Front Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with
     Forward Alert and Reverse Park Control
  -- Stronger differentiation between models and wider choice of special
     equipment packs
  -- Dynamics are sporty but luxurious for all models.  Available Sport
     suspension option offers up rated springs and dampers for even tauter
     handling
  -- 3.0 V6, 4.2 V8 and 4.2 V8 Supercharged engines offering 235 to
     390bhp (SAE)
  -- 3.0-liter V6 (auto): 235bhp, 216lb ft torque, 121mph (electronically
     limited), 0-60mph 7.5 seconds
  -- 4.2-liter V8 (auto): 294bhp, 303lb ft torque, 121mph (electronically
     limited), 0-60mph 6.2 seconds
  -- 4.2-liter supercharged V8 (auto): 390bhp, 399lb ft torque, 155mph,
     0-60mph 5.3 seconds
  -- Comprehensive safety features include front dual-stage, side and
     side-curtain airbags, and Jaguar's Adaptive Restraint Technology System
     (A.R.T.S.) with ultrasonic sensors on all models
  -- 6-speed automatic transmission standard across the range

  THE NEW 2005 S-TYPE RANGE*
  S-TYPE 3.0 V6: $44,895
  S-TYPE 4.2 V8: $51,995
  S-TYPE R 4.2 V8 Supercharged: $58,995
  * Prices include a $665 Transportation and Handling Charge

  The New 2005 XK - At a Glance
  -- New exterior styling gives a more aggressive, contemporary stance
  -- Deeper rear bumper, revised front bumper with lower "mouth profile"
     side sills give a more powerful look and improve aerodynamics
  -- New style XKR mesh grille and full-width XK8 grille splitter
  -- New, larger exhaust tailpipe finishers for XK8 models and new quad
     tailpipe finishers for the supercharged XKRs
  -- New, larger rear spoiler for supercharged XKR models
  -- Three new multi-spoke alloy wheel styles are introduced: the 18-inch
     Aris, 19-inch Atlas and 20-inch BBS Sepang
  -- Black window surrounds replace the grey that was featured on previous
     models
  -- Choice of 15 body colors, 11 of which are metallic
  -- A driver-controlled Automatic Speed Limiter becomes standard on all
     models.  This feature supplements the XK range's already high level of
     driver aids
  -- In short this is the most modern and technologically advanced XK range
     to date

  The new 2005 XK range*
  XK8 Coupe 4.2 V8: $70,495
  XK8 Convertible 4.2 V8: $75,495
  XKR Coupe 4.2 V8 Supercharged: $81,995
  XKR Convertible 4.2 V8 Supercharged: $86,995

* Prices include a $665 Transportation and Handling Charge -- Price excludes $1,000 Gas Guzzler Tax on Supercharged XKR Coupe and Convertible

  THE 2004 X-TYPE - At a Glance
  -- Only compact luxury sedan in class to offer all-wheel drive as standard
  -- MSRP for fully-equipped 2004 3.0-liter V6 is reduced by $4,800*,
     bringing the base MSRP to $34,395
  -- Base price of 2004 2.5 V6 stays at under $30,000
  -- Optional "Sport" package on 2004 3.0 V6 now features:
     - 18-inch wheels - up from 17-inch
     - Upgraded 320-Watt 10-speaker Premium Alpine audio most powerful
       in class
  -- New alloy wheel design for each 2004 X-TYPE model
  -- New exterior colors for 2004, along with new Sapele wood veneer and new
     shades of leather seating surfaces
  -- Two models available in North America: X-TYPE 2.5 with 192 bhp
     2.5-liter AJ-V6, and X-TYPE 3.0 with a 227 bhp 3.0-liter AJ-V6
  -- Five-speed manual standard on 2.5, with five-speed automatic as an
     option; 3.0 comes with five-speed automatic as standard.  Five-speed
     manual is available as a no-cost option with the Sport package
  -- Over 55,000 sold in the U.S. to date
  -- 2003 J.D. Power & Associates Initial Quality Study shows a significant
     22 percent improvement in initial quality, making X-TYPE one of the
     most-improved models surveyed
  -- All-wheel drive badging now included on trunk plinth
  -- X-TYPE range introduced in August 2001

* (footnote). The reduction in MSRP from the '03 X-TYPE 3.0 price of $36,970 to $34,395 represents a saving of $2,575. The '04 X-TYPE 3.0 is equipped as standard with a power moonroof and split folding rear seat (normally a $1,750 option); a wood/leather steering wheel (value $350) and auto headlamps (value $125) -- equipment worth a total of $2,225.

  The 2004 X-TYPE Range*
  X-TYPE 2.5 V6: $29,995
  X-TYPE 3.0 V6: $34,395
  *Prices include a $665 Transportation and Handling Charge