Jaguar XJ

Overview 

Jaguar XJ Series I

Also called:  XJ6, XJ12
Production:  1968-1973
82126 produced
Predecessor:  Jaguar S-Type
Engine:  2.8 L XK I6
4.2 L XK I6
5.3 L Jaguar V12
At the time, the XJ6, using 2.8 L (2790 cc/170 in³) and 4.2 L (4235 cc/258 in³) versions of Jaguar's renowned XK engine, replaced most of Jaguar's saloons, which, in the 1960s, had expanded to four separate ranges. The upmarket version was marketed under the Daimler brand and called the Daimler Sovereign. The 'XJ' designation was from the car's code name during development, standing for Experimental Jaguar.
The car was introduced in September, 1968, in a series of television advertisements featuring Sir William. In these spots, he memorably referred to the car as "the finest Jaguar ever." The XJ12 version, with a 5.3 L V12 engine, was launched in 1972, with just 3,235 built.

Jaguar XJ Series II 

The XJ line was refreshed for 1973 with the "Series II" cars. A 3.4 L (3442 cc/210 in³) version of the XK engine was new in 1975.

The XJ12 version, with a 5.3 L V12 engine, was again part of the lineup along with long-wheelbase models and a coupé, now considered a collector's item due to its rarity. The top 12-cylinder Daimler was called the Double Six. The Series II launched in the 1974 model year in the United States.

These Series II models were known for their poor build quality while part of the British Leyland group as well as problems inherent in the design of certain Lucas-sourced components. On television, the Jaguar XJ Series II was immortalized in the TV show Minder.

Visually, apart from the longer wheelbase and available "XJ12" badge, the Series II cars are differentiated by a smaller grille. 91,227 were produced, just 14,226 of them with the V12 engine, when the series II ended in 1979.

Jaguar XJ Coupe

A tiny 8,378-car run of 2-door XJ coupes with a pillarless hardtop body was built in 1976 and 1977. Both six and twelve-cylinder models were built, 6,505 of the former and 1,873 of the latter. These cars suffered from wind noise and, especially in the case of the V12, high fuel consumption.

Due to the rough welds around the windows of the roof, all coupes came with vinyl roofs as standard.

1976 Jaguar XJ12 Coupe

Jaguar XJ Series III 

In late 1979, the Series III XJ was introduced. The new series incorporated a subtle redesign by Pininfarina of the long-wheelbase platform and three engine variants including the 5.3L V12, the 4.2L inline 6 and 3.4L inline 6. The V12 and the larger 6 cyl. incorporated Lucas licensed Bosch fuel injection while the smaller 6 cyl. made do with carburetors. The smaller 6 cyl. engine wasn't offered in the U.S. The short wheelbase sedan and coupé had been dropped during the final years of the Series II XJ. This style of Jaguar saw the company through from its darkest days toward its emergence as an independent company under John Egan who oversaw a marked improvement in build-quality and reliability for the company's products.

In 1982 the interior of the XJ underwent a minor update. Also in 1982, the upscale Vanden Plas, a model designation that is still used today for the top-level XJ sedan, was introduced in the U.S. market.

The last Series III XJ with a six-cylinder engine was produced in 1987. Production of the Series III XJ continued until the early 1990's with the V12 engine. 132,952 Series III cars were built, 10,500 with the V12 engine

1979 Jaguar Series III

Jaguar XJ40

All through the 1970s, Jaguar had run Project XJ40, which was meant to replace the XJ6. Due to problems at British Leyland and the fuel crisis, the car was continually delayed. Proposals from Jaguar's in-house designers and Pininfarina were made. Eventually, it was decided an internal design would be carried through to production.

This car was finally released in October 1986 with controversial square headlamps, a carryover from the 1970s development. It was considered more evolutionary than revolutionary, and had to fight off a new competitor: the newly upsized BMW 7 Series. While the British press favoured the Jaguar, the XJ40 tended to lose comparison tests run by German publications. Only six-cylinder models were initially offered: a 2.9 L (in Europe) and a 3.6 L. The V12 (XJ12) and a long wheelbase model, including a high-roofed Daimler Majestic model destined for official use (one was used by the British prime minister), were again delayed, launching at the very end of the XJ40's life.

The single cam 2.9 L straight-6 engine found in Europe was a derivative of Jaguar's legendary 6.0 L V12 HE, but it proved to be underpowered and thirsty compared to the 3.6. L Timing chain failures were also a problem. The engine was later replaced with the 3.2 L, based on the durable 3.6 L, which then became the 4.0 L.

Jaguar XJ40

Jaguar X300

By the late 1980s, Ford had become Jaguar's owner and ordered the XJ40 be "retrolutionized", reintroducing the style of the popular Series III. X300, as redesigned by head designer Geoff Lawson, was launched as the XJ6 and XJ12 for the 1995 model year.

In addition, a supercharged version of the straight-6 was offered and badged as the XJR. This was the first supercharged Jaguar in the company's history and only the second car Jaguar ever made that used forced induction-apart from the extremely rare and expensive Jaguar XJ220.

The center section of the X300 model (namely the doors and glass area) was shared with the XJ40. The engines were basically the same 3.2 and 4.0L models, but with improvements to further increase power and refinement. It was this generation that saw continued improvement in build quality.

1997 was the final year of production for the XJ6 and XJ12. Jaguar switched exclusively to V8 engines when the XJ8 was introduced in 1998. The last Jaguar to be powered by a V12 engine was a black XJ12 that left the production line on April 17, 1997. It now resides in the Jaguar Museum. Only 3,400 XJ12s were produced in the X300 body style, making it rarer than V12 rivals such as the BMW 750iL and Mercedes-Benz S600. The XJ12 was visibly differentiated from the XJ6 not only by a badge on the rear deck lid, but also by a "V12" badge on each side of the central pillar.

Jaguar XJ X308

New eight-cylinder models (called XJ8) were introduced for the 1998 model year as the X308 series, seeing the end of the legendary 12-cylinder engine. The new performance figures were 290 hp (216 kW) for the naturally aspirated version and 370 hp (276 kW) for the supercharged (compressor) version. The interiors were changed greatly, but some still considered the issue of limited legroom for rear passengers to be an Achilles' heel when comparing the car with competing models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz and considered it to be an area in which improvement was needed.

Interesting to note is that the XJR-version featured an 5 speed automatic transmission from the Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 and other high power Benz models.

A limited-edition XJR called the XJR 100 was available in 2002 only. The XJR 100 came only in black (paint as well as exterior trim) with black leather interior. Features exclusive to the XJR 100 were unique alloy sport wheels, gray-stained birdseye maple trim, red badges and red stitching throughout the interior. Only 500 were produced.

Jaguar XJ X350

The brand-new X350 began production in the Spring of 2003 and as a 2003 model in Europe and as a 2004 model for the North American market. The X350 has an all-new aluminum structure and bodyshell. Steel is used in some places throughout the chassis. Aluminum underbody components are fastened together with aerospace-grade epoxy adhesives and around 3,200 self-piercing rivets to create the new XJ's unibody. The top-line XJs are branded as Vanden Plas (in North America) and Daimler (everywhere else). Two of the things that distinguish the X350 from previous XJ models include the outer headlights which are larger than the inner headlights and the wheels are pushed closer to the corners, both like the original XJ. Also, the X350 has a curve in its rear door like that of Jaguar saloons of the 1950s and 1960s.

The Super V8 is the fastest and most expensive model, with the XJR a close second. The Super V8, which debuted in the 2004 model year in the new X350 body style, is essentially a long-wheelbase, supercharged XJ8. Its primary competitor is the Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG. A distinctive wire mesh grille and chrome-finished side mirrors set the Super V8 and the XJR apart from the less expensive XJ sedans.

All North American XJs are powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) naturally aspirated engine. A 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged from 4.2 L V8 engine is optional. The valvetrain has a dual overhead cam design with four valves per cylinder. The top speed is limited electronically.

In early 2005, Jaguar announced its most exclusive, powerful and expensive XJ sedan since it ceased V12 production. Called the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio, it is a limited-edition trim level of the flagship Super V8 sedan. It debuted at the New York International Auto Show in March 2005, and is the most expensive Jaguar sedan produced to date, with a base price of US$115,995. The Portfolio features added power as well as exterior and interior enhancements, including a DVD player and 7-inch screens in the rear headrests. The Super V8 Portfolio, aimed at American and Canadian markets, became available in August 2005. It is available in only two new, limited colors: Black Cherry and Winter Gold. The equivalent model is sold under the name Daimler Super Eight and Daimler brand on the European and other international markets.

The Super V8 Portfolio is powered by Jaguar's supercharged 400 hp, 4.2 L, 32-valve, AJ-V8 engine. Top speed is 155 mph and the Portfolio has a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of five seconds.

Jaguar XJ Daimler Corsica concept

A single 2-door XJ covertible was built in 1996 to commemorate Daimler's centenary. The concept car, called the Daimler Corsica, is based on the Daimler Double-Six saloon and can seat four. The prototype is a fully operational car with all the luxury features of an XJ sedan, but a shorter wheelbase. It is painted a now-discontinued color called "Jade." The Daimler Corsica was named after the 1931 Daimler Double-Six Corsica. The concept was a one-off, and was never intended for production. The car has made a limited number of appearances at auto shows and events since 1996. It has most recently appeared at the Belfast Sports car Show in January 2004. The Daimler Corsica prototype is owned by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, and is on display at the JDHT Museum at Browns Lane in Coventry, England.

Current XJ models

• XJ8

  

• XJ8 L
• Vanden Plas
• XJR
• Super V8

 References

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