Haunted Castle: The Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign Experience. A rich inner world: the experience of owning a Jaguar XJ X300

04.03.2020

“Two black, heavily tinted sedans brazenly make their way through the gloomy streets of Manchester. The silhouettes of predators spread on the asphalt move synchronously, as a whole. Inline sixes grumble to the beat of British drum "n" bass. Sitting in the front seat of the Jaguar, David Bowie passes Goldie, who has just leaned back from the zone and grins with all thirty-two gold teeth, two loaded berets.

The English crime drama Everybody Loves Sunshine (in the Russian version of "Ponty") was remembered by many, including its automotive component. What is the reason for such a love of English gangsters for XJ is a matter for a separate article. Perhaps it's all about patriotism, or maybe the gene memory works - at one time, the S-Type of 1963 also gained fame as the favorite car of dashing people. But one thing I know for sure: their Russian counterparts in the 90s also respected the British auto industry. The evidence embodied in metal in the face of the XJ40 with a long-standing Russian residence permit stands in front of me, shining with a custom-made mascot on the hood.

The 40-series XJ6 belongs to the second generation of the model, which appeared in 1986, but the exterior lines refer to the 70s. Spiritually, the sedan is close to European exotics like De Tomaso Deauville, Iso Rivolta Fidia and Monteverdi High-Speed 375/4. The amount of chrome in the exterior finish is dosed with pharmaceutical precision. Thoughts about the kitsch or inappropriateness of this or that element do not arise for a minute. Everything is painted as of old - in dark green British Racing Green. The modest-looking Sovereign inscription on the stern is like a seal on a family roll, it is also a sentence: "to serve in the elite automobile troops - fit!"

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Inside

Before I get inside, after bowing to the Jaguar due to its status, I manage to get acquainted with the creative solution of the English engineers who supplied the XJ40 with heated door handles. Landing - like in a sports coupe. With a height of 1378 mm, XJ40 riders look at the owners of the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera, as the latter - at the owners of urban crossovers.

Inside, an English living room awaits me, stuffed with electronics and a lot of non-trivial ergonomic solutions. The laconic rectangular front panel is very similar to that of the XJ-S coupe. The level of finish is impressive at first. Gorgeous profiled seats upholstered in legendary Connoly Bose leather, American walnut wood paneling throughout with boxwood inlays…

Looking closely, I notice traces of unjustified savings. Digital, as the Russian-speaking residents of the Baltics say, the dashboard is the pride and misfortune of the XJ40, it has a plastic overlay that imitates wood very poorly and does not match the rest of the panels at all. The massive steering wheel, although covered in leather, looks somewhat rustic for such a rich interior - a completely wooden steering wheel would be more appropriate. All the light-colored interior panels, which I joyfully considered upholstered in leather, turned out to be vinyl.

Options in the Sovereign version to the eyeballs. From what was available to order, lacking only the sunroof and foglights. Complaining about the lack of seat heating is pointless - this option was absent in 1988 by definition. But there is cruise control and electric seat adjustment in eight directions. Climate control is implemented in such a way that the owner can keep his head in the cold and his feet warm. The division into zones is horizontal, and not the usual vertical.

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The convenience of getting on and off back is provided by leather ceiling loops. There is enough space for three, if you, of course, deign to share a chic leather sofa with someone else. I would not. It is light, quite spacious by the standards of the late 80s and somehow homely. I immediately wanted to unfold the center armrest, lean back, turn on the swivel reading light integrated into the C-pillar, and reread a volume of William Blake.

For a complete immersion in the atmosphere of a British club, only a humidor is missing, since there are ashtrays in every door. There are coasters for a couple of bottles of Johnnie Walker. Well, who seriously takes two square recesses on the inside of the glove compartment for cup holders?

In move

It is believed that a cat, unlike a dog, is not a friend to man. Allegedly four-legged tailed cunningly use us for their own purposes and generally sleep with us for food. Is a jaguar a friend to a man? Many of those who have used the twisty gear selector nicknamed J-Gate think not. In manual mode, the lever covers the indicator of the selected gear, but the British had a good idea - accidentally turning on neutral when switching will definitely not work.

And the fact that in other countries the left-hand traffic and the ergonomic plus eventually changed to a minus is not a British problem. But the technical characteristics of the XJ40 still look decent: the in-line six develops 224 hp, the base gasoline engine of the last big-eyed XJ in the back of the X358 gave out a little more. The four-speed automatic does not bother me either. I think we'll be friends. Slightly thinking at the start, the sedan gently moves off. Acceleration at first does not strike the imagination, although 8 seconds to hundreds in the mid-80s could cause envy among competitors. Frankly, this awareness does not help: you involuntarily expect more from a relative of the E-type. And if you really want something, you will definitely get it. It is worth pushing the gas pedal at speed, as the XJ is fully rehabilitated in the eyes of any skeptic. Driven by a locomotive traction of 330 Nm, the Jaguar in a few seconds increases the maximum speed allowed for the ring by one and a half times. Better than this can only be heard from under the hood hoarse roulades of the six, bucking with each press on the gas.

On roads of even average quality, the Jaguar steps gently, little annoying riders with unnecessary shocks and other nonsense. Reactions to the steering wheel give rise to associations with sailing. The turn of a huge steering wheel and a road yacht crouched on the asphalt smoothly, with dignity, performs a maneuver. No Italian nervousness - a gentleman should not fuss over trifles. Others will wait, too, if they get a chance to watch the XJ40 turn around. Its radius in a sedan is royally immodest. The pendant doesn't look like anything. The New World, of course, was a priority market for the XJ40, but the British could not afford to fall so low. The sedan magically combines the habits of a European sports sedan with the comfort of an overseas road cruiser. Wide, with a low center of gravity, the body is fantastically stable. Throwing the representative essence into the back seat, the XJ40 will gladly rush you along the serpentine at the pace of another sports coupe. Now, with active suspensions, this is not surprising. But from a five-meter colossus weighing more than 1700 kg, which for years suits my peers, you expect such responsiveness and clarity of reactions, crossed with comfort, in the last place. I experienced similar sensations driving the penultimate generation XJ, equipped with adaptive air suspension. But between these relatives there is almost 15 years of difference - by the standards of the industry there is a whole abyss. From this point of view, the "triumph of British engineering" - as the journalists dubbed the XJ40 after the premiere, justifies the high-profile title by 100%.

Purchase History

Sergey's first acquaintance with the Jaguars happened in 2000 after reading an article about the fourth generation XJ. After 8 years, when he saw the XJ40 alive, he began to look for a similar car, but all the specimens he looked at turned out to be rubbish - he had to stop at the S-type. Having sold it in 2012, Sergey already clearly understood that he was not interested in anything other than Jaguar. By chance, it turned out that his friend was selling a well-maintained 1988 XJ40 Sovereign with a 3.6 engine and an automatic. Sergey knew this car well. The car arrived in Russia in 1996 and was in the same hands for a long time. With a run of 270,000 km, he managed to avoid many branded sores. For example, there was practically no rust on the body, which is very rare due to the complete absence of galvanizing on this model. Also bribed the lack of a collective farm and good completeness. With the exception of the rear hydropneumatic suspension and a gearbox without a self-locking differential, the car fully complied with the declared configuration. Sergei agreed, paying for the Jaguar well below market value.

Repair

Sergey had to get acquainted with the delights of repairing a Jaguar in Russia immediately after the purchase. Unfortunately, the XJ arrived slightly battered. Having no experience in choosing a good service, Sergey turned to the first one he came across, specializing in the British. The result was naturally bad painting. In addition, the acceptance master preferred not to specify which part the customer prefers to install, as a result of which the Jaguar received a non-original windshield. And the consequences of inaccurate assembly (the unfortunate masters forgot to install a fender liner that protects, among other things, the air filter located in the left wing area) have haunted the Jaguar to this day: periodically, the speed starts to float at traffic lights and the car stalls. It has not yet been possible to solve the problem even with the help of an experienced minder, although all options have already been tried (candles, air flow meter, wires, etc.). The ghost in the English castle continues to live its own life.

The wooden interior decoration required restoration. Having removed all the panels with his own hands, Sergey sent them to the cabinetmaker in Pyatigorsk, having received the parts re-lacquered in a couple of weeks. The trickiest English electrician delivers the most problems. Periodically, the central lock does not work, and the instrument panel is buggy. But Sergey is calm about the eccentricities of a 28-year-old car, rightly believing that minor breakdowns are inherent in most equipment at this age. Each visit to the service takes at least 25-30 thousand rubles. Many of the works, like most real fans of rare cars, Sergei does himself. But with spare parts for the XJ40, everything is extremely difficult. Sergey is an ardent opponent of showdowns and substitutes, he only recognizes a new original. Extensive connections in the Russian Jaguar Club and foreign contacts with the owners of other XJs help in the search for details. But some details are almost impossible to find new even in the homeland of the Jaguar. For example, the interior panels of the cabin or the steering rack - in case of problems with the latter, the owners try to revive the old part. In any case, each ordered part is a month and a half of expectations and prices in pounds sterling (at the time of this writing, the official exchange rate was 95.96 rubles).

Exploitation

Sergey drives a Jaguar mainly in the summer, preferring to keep the Briton in a warm parking lot in the winter. Mileage for four years of ownership - 30,000 km.

Regular maintenance with oil change (Castrol), oil and air (suitable for VAZ 2110) filters - 10,000 rubles
Front brake pads (to order from England): 2000 rubles per set
Fuel consumption in the urban cycle - 16-17 l / 100 km
Fuel consumption on the highway - 8 l / 100 km
Fuel consumption in the combined cycle - 12 l / 100 km
Fuel - AI 95

Plans

The periods of depression due to the lack of spare parts and the high cost of repairs, which led to an acute desire to get rid of the car, are in Sergey's past. Despite the fact that there is even a potential buyer ready to pay any price, he is not going to sell Jaguar, preferring to engage in sluggish restoration. In the near future - the replacement of the gearbox (it will put the original with a limited-slip differential - with work it will turn out about 100,000 rubles), further restoration of the interior, overcooking several problem areas and a complete repaint. According to Sergey, about 700,000 rubles will be required to completely rid the car of all current problems. A complete restoration “as from the factory” will cost about 2,500,000 rudders.

Model History

The second generation Jaguar XJ appeared in 1986. The XJ40 received a lot of technical innovations that were not available to its predecessor. For example, a rear hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, a digital instrument panel and an on-board computer with a self-diagnostic function for all vehicle systems.

With an elongated profile, a flat silhouette and a forward-jumping chrome mascot on the hood, these three clues will be more than enough for connoisseurs to guess in the Jaguar XJ car in the back of the X300. Those who are not familiar with the history of the English car industry have lost a lot: this car deserves to be familiar with it.

Strict cigar-shaped outlines of the sidewalls without unnecessary stylistic frills, strict rear with lights that “snap” the trunk, a strict look of four-headlight head optics… Say, too much rigor? Too formal? Do not rush to conclusions: at the time of release, the nineties passed outside the window of this Jaguar, and even then this deliberate dress code was truly appreciated.

Unlimited insurance for a year

16 000 rubles

Remember the dreadnoughts of this class of those years: how much subtle grace can you find in a block with an index? That's it. Compared to it, this XJ is just a stylistic find: the width of the body favorably sets off the subtlety of the profile, the embossed hood interestingly continues the design of the front end, and light chrome accents do not allow the proportions to merge into one gray silhouette flattened on the ground. It's not just "Oatmeal, sir!", and not "Fish'n'chips" from the two thousandths, but at least an English pudding - with a good pinch of cinnamon.

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Inside

You know that feeling - standing in front of an open car door and pulling to stay outside ... But not because it is repulsively ugly, but because it seems like sacrilegious luxury to flop into a museum of white leather and walnut veneer in jeans and an old jacket. The corrupting influence of time has affected the interior even less than the body - for this it is worth saying special thanks to all the owners of this XJ.

After sorting through myself, I sit inside, continuing to mechanically sort through the phrases “leather of the legendary Connolly company”, “panels from walnut root with boxwood inlay” and “shine of chrome on each metallized panel” in my head. Having become a little accustomed to the fact that all of the above now constitutes the surrounding universe, you begin to notice your little features in this white leather splendor.

Inspection

15 000 rubles

Landing for a premium sedan is a little low - but Jaguar did not forget about sportiness, even creating a car for a gentleman. In addition, you need to remember the thin profile: the low roof line (the height of the car is only 1,380 mm) set the tone for the front and rear row seats. However, you forget about the word "sportiness" almost immediately - everything here clearly disposes to go to the area called "countryside", turn on Yes and slowly roll, savoring the best moments of your life.

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Max speed:

The front panel is quite in the spirit of the nineties: a little angular, but made of a beautiful cream-colored polymer. The center console is full of veneer and audio buttons (a 6-disc CD changer is hidden in the luggage compartment here) - but the former is so pacifying that the latter does not seem noticeable. Only the location of the “emergency gang” button is unusual, it is more convenient for the passenger to reach for it - localization affects. But the fact that in other countries the movement is left-handed, and the ergonomic plus was eventually replaced by a minus - this is not a British problem.

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The back row promotes the same philosophy of enjoying the time spent here. Many companies are trying to create a quality interior, where polished wood is combined with plastic and chrome elements, but not everyone gets something really cozy.

Throw a couple of stale tomatoes at me for worn-out comparisons, but if the interior of German sedans is a mobile version of their owner's office, then the Jaguar's interior is a kind of castle living room. Turn on the lamp implanted in the rack, open the volume of poems by William Shakespeare and relax.

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In move

The impressiveness and bliss that fills you before turning the key will remain unchanged even after starting the engine: at idle, the XJ is almost silent. To cause a sparkle in the eyes covered with a blissful veil, you need to squeeze the right pedal - then 6 cylinders with a total volume of 4 liters will confirm their existence in the engine compartment and block the buzz of funny little cars passing by.

After swiping the gearshift lever along the line of an unusual shape, we move off. No nervousness - the code of the gentleman and the internal philosophy of the machine involve hiding the internal potential without unnecessary exposure of it unnecessarily.

Reclining in a leather chair, I delight myself with thoughts of the impressive smoothness of the ride and the lightness of the pedals, when suddenly a speed bump is on the way. XJ shudders - not nervously, but somewhat unexpectedly shaking our inner museum. Yes, major road troubles are best avoided - but there is nothing more to complain about in a sedan.

Jaguar XJ X300
Owner-claimed fuel consumption per 100 km

Acceleration 0-100 km/h:

The motor of 241 horsepower allows you to build relationships with the outside world without adjusting to it. At the same time, XJ does not inform the entire stream about the beginning of acceleration - the speed is gained almost imperceptibly, the driver can only follow the speedometer readings. Remember we talked about the pinch of cinnamon in that English pudding? So, here it is, in motion. There are enough speakers, and large brakes maintain calmness and confidence in the safety of what is happening.

Biography

Our today's hero left the assembly line of the Browns Lane plant in Coventry back in 1996, and then moved to Russia. Of course, after the gentle European climate, the body panels did not appreciate the Moscow winter mud and slush. Therefore, a layer of anticorrosive was applied to the body, and in cold weather, the Jag is not operated so actively.

At the time of purchase, under the desire of Natalia, the owner of this Jaguar, to find a large, beautiful and comfortable car with a light leather interior, there were many options. However, as is usually the case, when she saw the Jaguar XJ for sale, Natalya realized that this was exactly what she wanted to get.

Tie Rod

spare part cost, rub.

There are very few such cars in good condition for sale: it's sad, but usually such cars are simply not monitored, rolled up and sold again. Here it is worth noting that often the freshly baked owner of the Jaguar does not purposefully “roll the car for slaughter”, but simply - after all, spare parts here are rare and expensive, and maintenance is complex and specific. In addition, competent services for the "British" even in Moscow can be counted on the fingers of one hand - and here this Jaguar was lucky again: for many years one master has been servicing the car, who knows his "patient" perfectly.

JaguarXJ6 (X300)

Brief specifications

Engine: Inline 6-cylinder, Jaguar AJ-6 Displacement: 3,980 cc cm Power: 241 hp With. at 4,800 rpm Torque: 375 Nm at 4,000 rpm Transmission: automatic transmission-4, ZF 4HP24E Curb weight: 1,800 kg

Previously, today's XJ was owned by Artem, a lover of the British car industry, who has already been on our pages with his own. Natalya found this car with him. In those years, the XJ was in the prime of life, having already wound 190 thousand kilometers on the cardan. In less than 3 years, Natalia has already traveled over 28 thousand kilometers: she and Jaguar have visited Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, and often visit neighboring cities in the Moscow region.

At first, Natalya rode her "cat" only on weekends: half-empty tracks, calm traffic ... But the summer before last, she had to work seriously, and she had to travel almost every day on Belokamennaya. But neither the car nor the owner liked it: increased wear of chassis parts, road surface that did not meet the expectations of both ... In general, a workhorse from Jaguar, like a taxi driver from the British Queen.

I think that I was definitely lucky with the car: we, as they say, found each other. Yes, he has character. Yes, it needs a certain approach. But behind the wheel I feel confident, and he never let me down.
Jaguar XJ X300 owner

And although the car was in very good condition, the years still try to take their toll. Like many owners of such cars, Natalya cannot drive calmly, knowing that some details have not changed for many years. The suspension was the first to be replaced - it is very “gentle” for our roads and requires careful care. Of course, spare parts are ordered only original ones from England - otherwise you may never know how the Jaguar should really drive.

Rear shock absorber silent block

spare part cost, rub.

Some difficulties arise only because of the unstable exchange rate of the pound. The unspoken rule of Jaguar owners is that the purchase amount is approximately equal to the amount invested in the car. But do not rejoice if you bought a Briton for 250,000 rubles - such a car does not boast of good condition, and the price tag for decent copies starts at 500,000, in which one more such amount must be invested. In general, whatever one may say, about a million rubles will be required for the “primary restoration” - it will not work to save. Well, more serious work will entail serious investments - a complete restoration of the "British" can easily cost 2 million, if there is a desire and this money.

Model History

Cars of the XJ series have always been positioned as executive sedans, with a sufficient level of comfort and excellent dynamic performance.

The first XJ sedan appeared in 1968, replacing the Mk II and MkX sports sedans, equipped with the iconic straight-six from the XK roadster. Ever since the Series 1 designation, the XJ has carried not only royals, but also participated in the most prestigious rallies, such as Monte Carlo.

In 1972, the Series 2 was introduced, essentially a deep restyling of the previous car. For the first time for a model under the hood was a V-shaped 12-cylinder engine with a displacement of 5.3 liters. Along with the sedan, the XJ-C coupe version was also offered, produced in a batch of 10,487 pieces.

In the photo: Jaguar XJ12 (Series II) "1973

Four years later, the third generation of sedans saw the light. Series 3 cars were actively involved in the national British and pan-European circuit racing championships until 1979, when they were replaced.

In the photo: Jaguar XJ (Series III) "1979

The fourth generation XJ (such a sedan with the XJ40 index already), introduced in 1986, received a new platform; the body design has also become more modern. Four round headlights were replaced with rectangular "blocks", which was taken with caution by conservative connoisseurs of the brand, who were ambivalent about any changes. By the way, the cars of the "third series" were assembled in Canada and South Africa until 1992, six years after the debut of the Series 4.

In the photo: Jaguar XJ6 (XJ40) "1986

The latter, after some controversy, was accepted by fans and recognized as one of the most prestigious sedans in Europe and the United States. A chronic lack of funds and a prolonged financial crisis did not allow improving the car, which led to a global decline in sales of the model by the end of the 80s and generally called into question the existence of the Jaguar brand. The brand management had to sacrifice its independence, and on December 1, 1989, the company became part of the Ford Motor Company concern, which directed large-scale investments in the development of new cars, as well as the modernization of existing ones.

The plant in Coventry has undergone modernization, and the quality of the cars produced has improved significantly. Among the fans of the brand, there were fears that after the loss of independence, Jaguar models would lose their characteristic and sophisticated image. But that did not happen.

In 1995, a new generation of XJ sedans appeared, which received the X300 index. The model differed from its predecessor by the classic twin headlights, the shapes of which were repeated by the hood of the car. Cars were distinguished by a wide range of configurations. Among them, the Sovereign version was considered the top one, which included seats with position memory, power steering column, automatic climate control and even a branded tool box. From the "ordinary" XJ Sovereign differed extended chrome finish decor elements.

In the photo: Jaguar Sovereign (X300) "1994

In 1997, the cars were upgraded. The body became stiffer, which significantly improved handling; increased anti-corrosion resistance. The inline-six was replaced by a 4-liter AJ-V8 engine, which was developed by Jaguar engineers, but was assembled at the Ford plant in Wales. The new XJR received an "eight" with a compressor, as well as an active Computer Active Technology suspension from the XK8 coupe.

Do you know which cars are preferred by members of the English royal family? The Jaguar XJ6 in the back of the X300 is called by the conservative British the last classic Jaguar. Let's find out why.

We will talk about the 5th generation of the XJ series, produced from October 1994 to September 1997. Appearance Jaguar XJ6 (X300) is traditional and recognizable. At first glance, you understand that this is a Jaguar.

The car looks like it came out of the 60s: all surfaces are curved, there are many decorative elements that attract attention. However, there is not as much chrome as it was on models in those days. There is only one janitor. The fuel tank hatch is located at the rear window. Due to the falling lines of the hood and trunk, the profile resembles the silhouette of a cat preparing to jump.

The engine is also classic, English. This is the last inline "six" of the company. She has 24 valves, two overhead camshafts and electronic injection. Each cylinder has an individual ignition coil. Working volume, almost 4 liters. Power 241 horsepower.

The front suspension of the rear-wheel drive car Jaguar XJ6 (X300) is spring-loaded with shock absorbers, the rear suspension is independent, single-lever. All brakes are disc, ventilated.

Inside, black leather and handmade dark wood are all around. Round pointers have black scales with white numbers. In front of the lever of a 4-speed automatic transmission with electronic control, a scattering of climate control buttons and a music center.

Thanks to perfect noise isolation, there is no vibration and noise when the engine is running. In motion, the motor, like a steam locomotive, pulls at any speed both in a straight line and uphill. The steering wheel can be turned with one finger.

The Jaguar XJ6 (X300) is equipped with anti-lock braking system ABS, ESP stabilization system (stability program), TCS traction control and excellent power steering and brakes.

On a straight line, the cat's gait is very soft, and rolled in turns. Switching the box is almost imperceptible. If you turn on the sport mode and press the gas pedal to the floor, the engine with a wild roar demonstrates crazy torque. But for some reason this does not bring joy, because the car is designed for a quiet ride.

At the end of 1989, due to the global financial crisis, Jaguar was in a difficult financial situation, and it was sold. The new owner launched a program of modernization and optimization of production. Therefore, since then, all English conservatism has consisted only in the in-line "six". An attempt was made to replace it with a V-shaped American "eight", but in 1997 it was considered a violation of tradition and returned to the previous standards.

To complete the picture, I suggest watching the video:

In late 1989, Jaguar Cars was acquired by the world's second largest car manufacturer, Ford Motor Company (Fo Mo Co) for £1.6 billion. One of the terms of the acquisition was the new owner's commitment to preserve the traditional design and construction of Jaguar cars. In April 1990, Bill Hayden was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jaguar Cars, who, after conducting an inspection and comprehensive study of the technological cycles at the Jaguar plant, revealed that about a thousand improvements could be made to the Jaguar XJ40 and XJS manufacturing process. And now, to improve the quality of Jaguar products, all the key designers from the Whitley Engineering Center (Whitley, Coventry) spent whole weeks right on the shop floor studying problems on the spot.

In the first four years after the Jaguar takeover, the new owner, Fo Mo Co, invested almost $200 million in production organization and about $80 million was required to invest in the X300 project, the first new model released under the auspices of Ford.
In the fall of 1991, Bill Hayden underwent heart surgery and was forced to leave his post. Nicholas Scheele was appointed to his position, who continued to modernize production in order to raise the quality of products. Luckily, Nick Scheel has championed Jaguar's conservative styling as one of his most valuable image assets.
In July 1994, production at Browns Lane came to a complete halt for three weeks and, for the first time since 1955, a brand new assembly line, about a kilometer long, with a capacity of up to 25 vehicles per hour, was installed. The technical update that required so much money and time is basically over. Now it was one of the most advanced car factories in Europe.

On September 28, 1994, the debut of the new Jaguar XJ6 (X300 project), developed at the Whitley Design Center based on the previous Jaguar XJ40 model, took place. The design of the new Jaguar XJ6 (X300) has retained the traditional features of the previous model, but has become more rounded. The car looked great, body lines chosen by stylists Geoff Lawson (Geoff Lawson) and Keith Helfet (Keith Helfet) strongly resemble the architecture of its predecessor, but the new car looked more conservative.

1994 Jaguar XJ6 (X300)

A low and long streamlined body with four round headlights, a must-have for the "jaguars" of the sixties, a smoothly lowering trunk line, carefully crafted chrome trim - such elements certainly have something in common with retro, but they did not look old-fashioned either. The interior of the car has been redesigned and combines tradition with modernity. The salon turned out to be rich, but with the observance of a truly British taste.

1994 Jaguar XJ6 (X300)

Jaguar XJ (X300) interior

The AJ16 engine, Jaguar's last inline-six to be used in the XJS, was the epitome of technical sophistication. The AJ16, which received, compared to the AJ6, a new cylinder head, redesigned camshafts, increased compression ratio and a new ignition system looked great under the hood.

AJ16 4.0 liter - in-line six-cylinder, 24 valves, two overhead camshafts, Lucas electronic injection, displacement 3980 cc. The engine develops a maximum power of 249 hp. at 4800 rpm, the maximum torque is 375 Nm at 4000 rpm. Another version of the AJ16 3.2 liter with a displacement of 3239 cc develops a maximum power of 211 hp. at 5100 rpm and peak torque of 301 Nm at 4500 rpm. All engines were equipped with catalysts.

1994 Jaguar XJ6 (X300) AJ16 engine

Rear-wheel drive, automatic four-speed transmission ZF4HP24 or manual five-speed Getrag 290, ventilated disc brakes (ITT Automotive) with hydraulic booster and anti-lock braking system (ABS). Power steering ZF, full speed 2.8, vehicle turning circle 12.1 m, drag coefficient 0.37. The steering column is adjustable (for version XJ6 3.2 manually, for Sovereign, Daimler Six - electric drive). SRS airbags are installed for the driver and front passenger.
Suspension is fully independent, multi-link front and rear. Carrying four-door body type monocoque, with zones of programmable deformation. Weight 1800 kg.

Vehicle equipment:
Jaguar XJ6: power windows, mirrors and antenna, heated windows, windshield and headlight washer, eight-speaker audio system, central locking, remote control of the trunk and gas tank lock, power driver's seat, velor interior (with leather seat sides), wood-trimmed dashboard , board computer, immobilizer. Externally, the XJ6 can be distinguished by the combination of chrome window surrounds and black pillars.
Jaguar Sovereign: XJ6 equipment plus alloy wheels, cruise control, Nippon Denso air conditioning, leather interior, electrically adjustable front seats with memory for three positions for seats and exterior mirrors, power steering column, heated mirrors. This model has not only window trim, but also chrome-plated racks.
Daimler Six: like Sovereign plus Harman Kardon CD player, climate control, wood-trimmed steering wheel, picnic tables in the backs of the front seats, power seat and window controls, reading lights for rear passengers, interior made of extra high quality leather. To improve sound insulation, the thickness of the side windows has been increased from 4 to 5 mm. Window trim, pillars and exterior mirrors are chrome-plated.

Jaguar XJR was introduced as a high performance sports car and was the first car in Jaguar history to use a mechanical compressor engine. The power of the six-cylinder AJ16 engine was increased to 326 hp and torque to 512 Nm, thanks to the use of an Eaton M90 supercharger and a refrigerated intercooler. The dynamic performance of the car was impressive; acceleration from 0 - 60 mph was 5.7 seconds. The JaguarXJR was fitted with larger 17" wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tires, stiffer suspension and a 3.27:1 ratio differential. Although a Getrag manual was standard, nearly all XJRs were built with GM's 4L80-E automatic transmission .

Jaguar XJR (X300)

1995 Jaguar XJR (X300) engine

Visually, the Jaguar XJR differed from standard cars in that it had a body-colored grille, special Sport alloy wheels and the XJR emblem were installed on the cars. Body moldings and window openings were painted matte black, except for North American models where they were polished stainless steel.
Jaguar XJ12 (X300): the car was installed, as on the Jaguar XJS, a 6.0-liter V12 engine with a single camshaft and electronic injection. The working volume of the cylinders is 5993 cc, the maximum power is 311 hp. at 5350 rpm, maximum torque 475 Nm at 2850 rpm. The automatic transmission with electronic control GM 4L80-E was used as a transmission.

1994 Jaguar XJ12 (X300)

1995 Daimler Double Six (X300)

The suspension was offered in two types: stiffer for the XJ12 and self-adjusting, soft for the Daimler Double Six version. The tire size was slightly different, 225/55 ZR16, and traction control became standard. Weight 1975 kg. Equipment XJ12 matched the Sovereign version, only the discreet V12 label adorned the chrome B-pillar. The Daimler Double-Six variant was the most complete among the company's models, the rear seats had electric adjustments. The Jaguar XJ12 and Daimler Double Six lasted only two years in the production program.

19945 Jaguar Vanden Plas (X300)

1995 Jaguar XJ12 (X300) V12 engine

In August 1995, customers were offered a version with a wheelbase extended by 115 mm, which allowed for more space for rear passengers. From that moment on, all Daimler cars became long-wheelbase, and for other models, a similar body was an option for £ 2,700.
In 1996, in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the "royal" brand, Daimler released a limited series of Daimler Century cars, which had the most complete equipment. The price of the twelve-cylinder model was £77,000.

After three years of mass production from September 1994 to July 1997, 92,038 units were produced. JaguarXJ (X300) models in various modifications.

Specifications Jaguar XJ6 (X300) 1994:

Engine 3.2 liters (3239) with a capacity of 211 hp (158 kW)
4.0 liter engine (3980) with 249 hp (187 kW)
4.0 liter engine (3980) with 326 hp (244 kW) (XJR)
Length - 5025 mm, 5150 (LWB)
Width - 1780 mm
Height - 1380 mm
Wheelbase - 2870 mm
Front track - 1501 mm
Rear track - 1499 mm
Maximum speed 3.2 liter - 220 km per hour
Maximum speed 4.0 liter - 230 km per hour
Maximum speed 4.0 liter - 250 km per hour (XJR)
Weight - 1800 kg (LWB - 1850 kg.)
Acceleration 0-60 mph 3.2 liter- 8 sec.
Acceleration 0-60 mph 4.0 liter - 7 sec.
Acceleration 0-60 mph 4.0 liter- 6 sec. (XJR)
Gearbox - five-speed, mechanical Getrag 290
optional - automatic four-speed with torque converter ZF4HP24
Wheels - Pirelli P4000E 225/60 ZR16 (Sport- 225/55 ZR16, XJR- Pirelli PZero 225/45 ZR17)

Specifications Jaguar XJ12 (X300) 1994:

6.0 liter engine (5993) with 318 hp (239 kW)
Length - 5025 mm
Width - 1780 mm
Height - 1380 mm
Wheelbase - 2870 mm
Front track - 1501 mm
Rear track - 1499 mm
Maximum speed - 250 km per hour
Weight - 1900 kg
Acceleration 0-60 mph - 7 sec.
Gearbox - automatic three-speed with torque converter GM 4L80-E
Front suspension - double wishbone, spring
The rear suspension is independent with longitudinal and transverse levers, the upper arm is a semi-axle.
Shock absorbers - front telescopic, rear telescopic
Brake system - disc, hydraulic, dual-circuit, with hydraulic brake booster, ABS, traction control
Steering - rack and pinion, power steering ZF Servotronic
Wheels – Pirelli P6000 225/55 ZR16 (Vanden Plas and Daimler DS - Pirelli P4000E 225/60 ZR16)