2001JaguarXJ-SeriesJaguar XJ-Series2001 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden PlasSedanSedanRWDEnglandJaguar's premium sedan receives only minor changes for 2001. The XJ8 and XJ8 L both receive a six-disc CD changer as standard equipment. The Vanden Plas gets a premium sound system with the CD changer as standard, as well as heated front and rear seats. For all models, Jaguar has added a new reverse parking control system and strengthened the chassis with new crush tubes, doors, hinges and steering columns. There are also new exterior colors, a new style of wheel for Vanden Plas models and an optional dealer-installed Motorola Timeport digital phone. Topping things off is a new, no-cost scheduled maintenance program that covers four regular service visits under the four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.Classic exterior styling, classic interior styling and materials, creates an aura of prestige.Somewhat cramped interior dimensions, sparse feature list, aging platform.This is class. This is prestige. This is dignity. This is the Jaguar XJ8 Sedan. With a small stretch of the imagination, it seems perfectly natural picturing Prince Charles and Her Majesty The Queen sneaking out from Buckingham Palace, going out in a XJ8 for scones and a tour around Westminster Abbey. Built in England, the XJ8 carries forward the design cues established in the three decades since XJ sedans were introduced. There's the signature Jaguar grille, the four-headlight front end, the famously seductive profile, and the chrome leaper on the hood. This car looks graceful and classy. Jaguar offers five XJ models in 2001. There is the standard XJ8, the extended-wheelbase XJ8 L, the highline XJ8 Vanden Plas, the supercharged Vanden Plas, and the supercharged XJR. All of these are fitted with a 4.0-liter AJ-V8 engine. In normally aspirated trim, the engine makes 290 horsepower and 290 foot-pounds of torque. All of the XJ8s are quick, and the V8 allows effortless cruising and passing. The supercharged Vanden Plas makes 370 horsepower. Like the exterior, Jaguar's interior delivers a powerful dose of classic heritage. And by classic, we're talking wood and leather. The XJ8 features excellent-looking burl walnut wood on the instrument panel that further extends to wood inserts on the doors. Connolly leather is used on the seats, center console, glove box, and door panels. Some of the plastic buttons remind us of cheaper Ford switchgear, however, and depending on how big you are, you'll end up calling the Jag's interior "cozy" or "cramped." Standard equipment on the XJ8 includes Automatic Stability Control, speed-sensitive steering, memory seating for the driver, front- and side-impact driver and passenger airbags, and a vehicle security system. The Vanden Plas Sedan gets burl walnut trim inlaid with select Peruvian boxwood, deep-pile wool footwell rugs, and fold-out walnut picnic tables mounted on the rear of the front seats. For 2001, the Vanden Plas also gets the 320-watt Alpine sound system as standard equipment, and the Vanden Plas Supercharged has the sound system and the GPS navigation system as standard. The XJ8's strongest attributes are its class and individuality. Jaguar's asking price is also quite agreeable. However, the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S Class are ultimately better vehicles in terms of driving enjoyment and feature content. If you really want a Jaguar, you might want to wait for the all-new XJ8 that arrives in 2002 or 2003. BMW 7-SeriesCadillac DeVilleLexus LS 430Mercedes-Benz S-Class450,000450,000450,0006UnlimitedNANANA84 litersV8290 hp @ 6100 rpm290 ft-lbs. @ 4250 rpm202.7 in.81.7 in.53.2 in.4010 lbs.117.9 in.37.2 in.36.9 in.57.3 in.57.3 in.NANA41.2 in.39.2 in.12.7 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested23.1 gal.17 mpg / 24 mpg393 mi. / 554 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$60,889$67,6557.35%$595N/A2.2% of the Base InvoiceBASE/L (5A): 4L V8 DOHC SMPI with variable valve timing 32-valve engine, requires premium unleaded fuel; 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up converter; battery with rundown protection; engine oil cooler; 120-amp alternator; driver's selectable multi-mode transmission; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 3.06 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; electronic stability, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent suspension with rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-wheel antilock braking system; 23.1 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; express-open/close sliding and tilting steel sunroof; front and rear body-colored bumpers with chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully automatic headlamps with delay-off feature;additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels with P225/60ZR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo, seek-scan feature, cassette player, trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer, 8 speakers, automatic equalizer, power retractable antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless-entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release; cellphone pre-wiring, 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, garage door opener, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer, park distance control; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated washer fluid nozzles, rain-detecting wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with power adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seats include 8-way power seat, power 2-way lumbar support; rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine-wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuine-wood door panel insert, genuine-wood console insert, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes 3 settings for exterior mirrors, steering wheel and headrests; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console with storage, locking glove box with light, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, chrome frontwindshield molding, chrome rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
VANDEN PLAS (5A) (in addition to or instead of BASE/L (5A) equipment): Driver's and passenger's power remote chrome heated folding outside mirrors; 2 power accessory outlets, front and rear lighter elements; instrumentation display includes oil pressure gauge, volt gauge; front bucket seats, driver's and front passenger's heated seat cushions; heated rear bench seat; wood gearshift knob, leather/genuine-wood steering wheel; chrome door handles.
VANDEN PLAS SUPERCHARGED (5A) (in addition to or instead of VANDEN PLAS (5A) equipment): 4L V8 DOHC SMPI 32-valve intercooled supercharged engine, (requires premium unleaded fuel); touring-ride suspension, automatic ride control, adaptive electronic stability, 17" x 7.5" silver alloy wheels with P235/50ZR17 BSW A/S tires; 9 premium speakers, navigation system.