JAGUAR Cars Whitley, Coventry, England, UK at start now from Tata Motors India II

JAGUAR Cars

Whitley, Coventry, England, UK at start now from Tata Motors India II

• 1972–1992 XJ12
• 1986–1994 XJ6 (XJ40)
• 1993–1994 XJ12 (XJ81)
• 1995–1997 XJ6 & XJ12 (X300 & X301)
• 1998–2003 XJ8 (X308)

Jaguar XJ (X308)

This article is about the generation of Jaguar XJ built from 1997 to 2003. For general XJ information, see Jaguar XJ in Part I

Jaguar XJ (X308)
A Sovereign variant
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Also called	Jaguar Sovereign Jaguar XJ Executive Jaguar XJ Sport Jaguar XJ8 Jaguar XJR Daimler Eight Daimler Super V8
Production	September 1997—December 2002
Assembly	Coventry, England
Designer	Geoff Lawson (1995)
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury vehicle
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	3.2 L Jaguar AJ-V8 4.0 L Jaguar AJ-V8 4.0 L supercharged Jaguar AJ-V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic ZF 5HP24 Mercedes-Benz W5A580 Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic transmission (Supercharged models only) 1998-2002
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 112 in (2,800 mm) LWB: 116 in (2,900 mm)
Length	SWB: 197 in (5,000 mm) LWB: 201 in (5,100 mm)
Width	69 in (1,800 mm)
Height	SWB: 51 in (1,300 mm) LWB: 52 in (1,300 mm)
Curb weight	SWB: 3,968 lb (1,800 kg) LWB: 4,134 lb (1,875 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar XJ (X300)
Successor	Jaguar XJ (X350)

The Jaguar XJ (X308) is a luxury saloon manufactured and sold by Jaguar Cars between 1997 and 2003. It is an evolution of the outgoing X300 platform, and the exterior styling is nearly identical between the two generations. The major change was the introduction of Jaguar’s AJ-V8 as the only available engine. Like all previous XJ generations, it features the Jaguar independent rear suspension arrangement.

Exterior

The X308 kept much of the same exterior styling as its predecessor, carrying its rounded four-headlamp bonnet, low roofline, sloping tail, and wrap-around rear light clusters. From the front, the two generations can be differentiated by the shape of the indicator lenses (rectangular on the X300, oval on the X308), and also by the shape of the fog lamps and lower valance air intake (both of which are more rounded on the X308). The front and rear bumpers were both changed along with the taillights which had red/clear lenses rather than red/grey lenses. The grill surround and badging was slightly changed. The headlight fixtures also included forward parking lights housed with the brights, new to X308.

Interior

The instrument binnacle of the XJ40 and X300 was replaced on the X308 with three large, separate gauges set into recesses in the curved dashboard. Door trim and the design of the center console were also slightly revised.

Mechanicals

Having discontinued production of both the AJ16 inline-six and V12 engines, Jaguar offered only its newly designed V8 engine (named the AJ-V8.) It was available in either 3.2 L or 4.0 L form, although certain markets (such as the United States) only received cars powered by the 4.0 L version. The 4.0 L version was also supercharged in certain models.

Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
3.2 L	240 bhp (179 kW; 243 PS)	233 lb·ft (316 N·m)	ZF 5HP24
4.0 L	290 bhp (216 kW; 294 PS)	290 lb·ft (390 N·m)	ZF 5HP24
4.0 L supercharged	370 bhp (276 kW; 375 PS)	387 lb·ft (525 N·m)	Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic W5A580

No manual gearbox or limited slip differential option were available for any models. Computer-controlled active suspension was available as a feature named “Computer Active Technology Suspension” (CATS).

Models

As with previous generations of the XJ, base models were generally not offered outside of the UK home market. Also, instead of the Daimler marque being used in certain markets, the equivalent “Vanden Plas” models were sold under the Jaguar name.

XJ8

The base XJ8 came standard with more equipment than had been fitted to entry-level XJs in the past, including leather upholstery, alloy wheels, and air conditioning. The door mirrors and door handles are body-coloured. The radiator grille, windscreen and rear window surrounds, boot lid plinth, and rain gutters were chromed, while the window frames remained matte black. Interior wood trim is walnut. Rear badging reads “XJ8”.

For the home market in September 2000, Jaguar began badging the XJ8 model as “XJ Executive”, and fitted as standard rain-sensing wipers, a CD player, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

Sport

Jaguar XJ sport variant

The Sport model was equipped only with the 3.2 L normally aspirated engine, and, in 2002-2003 in the American market with a 4.0 L normally aspirated V8. It offered stiffer suspension, sportier seating and interior colour combinations, and wider/larger wheels than the XJ8. The windscreen and rear window surrounds were painted matte black, as were the rain gutters and window frames for European markets (the US retains chrome surrounds). The radiator grille has metallic grey vertical slats. Rather than a chrome radiator grille surround, the Sport uses a body-coloured surround. Rear badging reads “XJ Sport”.

Sovereign

As with previous “Sovereign” XJ models, this was marketed to those customers who wanted traditional Jaguar luxury features and was essentially “built for comfort”. The interior is trimmed with burl walnut. All the exterior trim is chromed (including window frames, rain gutters, light cluster surrounds, radiator grille surround, and boot lid plinth.) Rear badging reads “Sovereign”.

Jaguar also released a long wheelbase version of the Sovereign in 1998. The only differences were with this variant was that the rear end of the car was approximately four inches longer than its original Sovereign counterpart and came with a 5-high speed gearbox.

XJR

Gear stick in the XJR 100

The XJR is powered by the supercharged version of the 4.0 L V8. It is also equipped with sport suspension, wider wheels and tires, and matte-black exterior window trim (except in the US market, where the XJR was given chrome window frames and rain gutters.) Like the Sport model, the XJR has a body-coloured radiator grille surround, but with a stainless-steel mesh insert rather than the normal vanes. Other exterior touches include the “XJR” rear badging and larger exhaust outlets.

Available on late XJR models was an “R1″ performance option. This included 18” BBS wheels, larger Brembo brakes with cross-drilled rotors, and re-tuned suspension.

The XJR was capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).

In 2001, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sir William Lyons‘ birth, Jaguar produced five hundred examples of a special-edition model named the “XJR 100”. Only available in the Anthracite exterior color with charcoal leather upholstery, the interior is trimmed with contrasting red stitching and birdseye maple. It is fitted with a leather-covered sports steering wheel and MOMO shift knob. The XJR 100 uses the Brembo brakes otherwise found on the R1-equipped XJR, plus 19″ “Montreal”-style wheels manufactured by BBS.

SE

Produced only in 2002, the SE (Special Equipment) model was fitted with more equipment than the original base model, and was offered at a competitive price. The rear badging read “SE”, and the cars were fitted with reverse parking sensors as standard.^[15]

Daimler/Vanden Plas

Rear of a Daimler Super V8

The top-of-the-range Daimler marque (sold as the Vanden Plas model in certain markets like the United States) features softer suspension and all available luxury features. They are cosmetically differentiated by the traditional Daimler fluted radiator grille surround and fluted boot-lid plinth.

The Daimler and Vanden Plas cars were also available with the supercharged engine otherwise found only in the XJR. This model was named the Daimler Super V8. In the US market, this combination was available only as a special order though 2001 (with these cars identifiable by their “Vanden Plas Supercharged” rear badging). For US model years 2002 and 2003, the equivalent Super V8 model was then offered. These Supercharged long-wheelbase variants were also fitted with Jaguar’s Proprietary “Computer Active Technology Syetem” (CATS) adaptive suspension. The “Sports” setup from the XJR application, however, is replaced by a “touring” set-up, exclusive to supercharged Daimler and Vanden Plas variants. It is softer and more compliant than the XJR’s Computer Adaptive Technology Suspension system.

Production numbers

Model	Production
XJ8 3.2	20,235 (including Executive and SE)
XJ8 3.2 (LWB)	771
XJ8 3.2 Sovereign	2,095
XJ8 3.2 Sovereign (LWB)	385
Sport	1,108
XJ8 3.2 Executive
XJ8 3.2 SE
XJ8 4.0	8,369
XJ8 4.0 (LWB)	148
XJ8 4.0 Sovereign	36,635 (including SE)
XJ8 4.0 Sovereign (LWB)	11,566
XJ8 4.0 SE
XJR	15,203
XJR 100	500
4.0 Vanden Plas (SWB)	1
4.0 Vanden Plas (LWB)	21,080
4.0 Vanden Plas Supercharged	788
Daimler Eight (SWB)	164
Daimler Eight (LWB)	2,119
Daimler Super V8 (SWB)	76
Daimler Super V8 (LWB)	2,387
Total	126,260

• 2004–2007 XJ (X350)
• 2008-2009 XJ (X358)
• 2009–date XJ (X351)

Jaguar XJ (X350)

Jaguar XJ (X350)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Also called	XJ6, XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8, Daimler Super Eight
Production	2003-2007
Assembly	Birmingham, England
Designer	Geoff Lawson; Ian Callum (1998, 1999)
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury vehicle
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	petrol 3.0 V6 3.5 V8 4.2 V8 4.2 S/C V8 diesel 2.7 V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 119.4 in (3,033 mm) LWB: 124.4 in (3,160 mm)
Length	SWB: 200.4 in (5,090 mm) LWB: 205.3 in (5,215 mm)
Width	2004-05: 73.2 in (1,859 mm) 2006-07: 83.0 in (2,108 mm)
Height	SWB: 57 in (1,448 mm) LWB: 57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Kerb weight	3,946 lb (1,790 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar XJ (X308)

The third-generation Jaguar XJ (X350) (2003–2007) was a luxury car from Jaguar Cars, introduced in 2003 as the successor of the XJ (X308), and was facelifted as the XJ (X358) in 2007. While the car’s exterior and interior styling were traditional in appearance, the car was completely re-engineered. The new car also saw the return of the fabled XJ6 badge, and with it six-cylinder power, albeit in a V-configuration. It was only equipped with automatic transmission, like most Jaguars.

X350

Specifications

Design and engineering

Like the Audi A8, the X350’s chassis and body were constructed from aluminium. While some steel was used in places throughout the chassis, the X350 has a stressed aluminium monocoque/chassis similar in general design to a conventional steel structure, but with two differences; its underbody components are bonded together with aerospace-grade epoxy adhesives while around 3,200 self-piercing rivets are used to create the new XJ’s unibody.

This differs from the A8’s construction which uses an aluminium spaceframe to which aluminium panels are then attached. However, the aluminium Audi A8 weighs a comparatively high 1,830 kg (4,030 lb) (3.0 V6 TDi) compared to 1,539 kg (3,393 lb) of the (3.0 V6) XJ. On its own, the current XJ’s bodyshell weighs about the same as a contemporary Mini Hatch. If the car were made of steel, it was estimated that it would weigh 40% more.

The new structure, and the need to continually improve the car’s ride and handling, dictated a number of other mechanical changes. The third generation of Jaguar’s rear suspension changed from the previousdouble wishbone layout in favour of a more sophisticated multi-link arrangement. In addition the car has all round adaptive air suspension, just like the Audi A8.

Some of the styling features that distinguish the X350 from the previous XJ include the outer headlights, which are larger than the inner headlights, and wheels which are moved out further towards the corners of the car, both like the original Mark 1 XJ. The car is wider, longer, and higher than the previous model with greatly increased interior space. Also, the X350 dispenses with the separate “sixthlight” rear side window of its predecessor, reverting to two side windows with quarterlight glasses mounted in the rear doors, like the Mark 1. Moreover, beginning in 2004, changes were made to the distinctive chrome side window frames of the XJ, where the use of chrome in the areas in between the front and back doors has been discontinued, in effect hiding the B-pillars. The curve in the rear door and rear screen resembles that of the Jaguar saloons of the 1950s and 1960s.

The vehicle was the first Jaguar to be built using self-piercing rivets.

Engines

A 2004 MY UK X350 Model XJR 4.2 litre Supercharged

Model	Type	Power, torque@rpm
2.7 litre V6 diesel	2.7 L V6 twin turbo	204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp), 435 N·m (321 lb·ft)
3.0 litre V6 petrol	3.0 L V6	238 PS (175 kW; 235 hp)
3.5 litre V8 petrol	3.5 L V8	266 PS (196 kW; 262 hp), 345 N·m (254 lb·ft)
4.2 litre V8 petrol	4.2 L V8	299 PS (220 kW; 295 hp)
4.2 litre V8 petrol supercharged	4.2 L V8 supercharged	395 PS (291 kW; 390 hp)

The V8 engines remained in the new model, but were the revised and more powerful versions found in the 2003 S-Type. The 290 bhp 4.0 L and 370 bhp 4.0 L supercharged engines from the X308 Mk II were replaced by the S-Type’s 294 bhp (219 kW; 298 PS) 4.2 L and 400 bhp (298 kW; 406 PS) 4.2 L supercharged units respectively, while a new 3.5 L V8 was also introduced for the European market which was derived from the 4.2 L engine and produced 262 bhp (195 kW; 266 PS).

The 240 bhp (179 kW; 243 PS) 3.2 L V8 from the previous model was replaced by the 3.0 L V6 from the X-Type and S-Type. The V6 powers the XJ6, while the XJ8 was powered by a naturally aspirated V8. The XJR was powered by a supercharged 4.2 L V8. The XJ6 and the XJ TDVi are the only X350 models not sold in the Americas.

TDVi

In 2005, Jaguar introduced the diesel-powered XJ TDVi, featuring the same Ford-Peugeot-developed 2.7 litre twin-turbo V6 found in the S-Type. The engine, known as the AJD-V6, produces 204 bhp (152 kW; 207 PS) and 321 lb·ft (435 N·m) of torque, and was fitted with electronically controlled active engine mounts to minimise vibration at idle.

Daimler Super Eight/Super V8

The Super V8, also known as the Daimler Super Eight, was the most expensive model, with the XJR second. The Super V8, which debuted in the 2003 model year in the new X350 body style, was essentially a long-wheelbase, supercharged XJ8 with the more luxurious Vanden Plas, or Daimler interior. Its primary competitor was 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 saloons. In 2005, the Super V8 model was replaced by the Daimler Super Eight in all markets other than North America. The Daimler Super Eight was essentially the same car, but with the addition of a different grille, boxwood inlays in the wood veneer and several other interior luxuries as standard. Daimler’s US equivalent was no longer known as the Vanden Plas, but the Super V8. The Vanden Plas name was used on models that would be known as Sovereign elsewhere. Daimler has been the State Car for the British Prime Minister since the 1980s.

For 2007, the premium model was the reintroduced Jaguar Sovereign when the Super V8 and Daimler versions were dropped.

North American models

All North American XJ models came standard with a 300 hp (224 kW) naturally aspirated engine. A 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged 4.2 L V8 engine was optional. The valvetrain had a dual overhead cam design with four valves per cylinder. The top speed was limited electronically to 155 mph (249 km/h).

Super V8 Portfolio

In early 2005, Jaguar announced its most exclusive and expensive XJ saloon since ceasing V12 production. Called the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio, it was a limited-edition trim level of the flagship Super V8 saloon. It debuted at the New York International Auto Show in March 2005, and was the most expensive Jaguar saloon 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 North American markets, became available in August 2005. It was available in only two new, limited colours: Black Cherry and Winter Gold.

The Super V8 Portfolio was powered by Jaguar’s supercharged 400 hp (300 kW), 4.2 L, 32-valve, AJ-V8 engine. Top speed was 155 mph (249 km/h) and the Portfolio has a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration time of under 5 seconds.

Production

The last X350 vehicle was produced in March 2009.

Facelift (X358)

Jaguar XJ (X358)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Land Rover
Also called	XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8
Production	2007–2009
Assembly	Birmingham, England
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L AJ-V6 V6 4.2 L AJ-V8 V8 4.2 L supercharged AJ-V8 V8 2.7 L TDVi AJD-V6 V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 119.4 in (3,033 mm) LWB: 124.4 in (3,160 mm)
Length	SWB: 200.4 in (5,090 mm) LWB: 205.3 in (5,215 mm)
Width	76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Height	SWB: 57 in (1,448 mm) LWB: 57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Kerb weight	3,946 lb (1,790 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Jaguar XJ (X351)

The X350 was facelifted for the 2008 model year, a design unveiled at the end of February 2007. Jaguar gave the car a mildly revised front grille, though still of a similar design to that of the pre-facelift XJ (rather than following the contemporary design language of the Jaguar XF) while the new front bumper assembly featured a prominent lower grille. The Jaguar Logo was changed from the 3D bonnet ornament to the logo of the Jaguar face within the grille that was currently also found on the front of the XK and the XF. The front lights had detail changes while the revised door mirrors incorporated side repeaters. The front wings on all models were remodelled to feature side vents, previously the preserve of the Super V8 Portfolio (and XJR Portfolio in the UK), while the side sills, rear bumper and tail lights were revised.

The interior was only slightly changed from its predecessor, featuring re-sculptured front seats that gave additional support and more legroom in the rear, allowing rear passengers over a metre of legroom.

Specifications

Models

Models	Executive	Sovereign	XJR	Super V8
Engines	2.7D, 3.0, 4.2	2.7D, 3.0, 4.2	4.2 Supercharged	4.2 Supercharged
Wheelbase	short, long(optional)	short, long (optional)	short	short, long (optional)
Wheels (standard)	Carelia 8.5Jx19 alloy	Polaris 8.5Jx19 alloy	Carelia 8.5Jx20 alloy	Carelia 9Jx20 alloy

UK

As of November 2007, the following XJ models were available in the UK:

• XJ 2.7D Executive
• XJ 2.7D Sport Premium
• 3.0-litre Executive
• 2.7D, 3.0-litre, and 4.2-litre Sovereign
• 4.2-litre supercharged XJR
• Daimler Super Eight

These models with the 2.7-litre diesel engine or with the 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine are also known as the XJ6 (since the engines have six cylinders), while the 4.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine mounted in the Sovereign results in that model being known as the XJ8. Also notice that the model list for the UK does not include the 3.5-litre V8 engine available in Germany, for example.

Germany

From May 2007, the following models were available in Germany:

• XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Classic
• XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Executive
• XJ6 3 litre Executive
• XJ8 3.5 litre Executive
• XJ8 4.2 litre Executive
• XJ6 2.7 litre Diesel Sovereign
• XJ8 3.5 litre Sovereign
• XJ8 4.2 litre Sovereign
• XJR 4.2 litre V8 Kompressor (i.e. the supercharged V8 variant)
• Daimler Super Eight

USA

From May 2007, the following XJ models were available in the US:

• XJ8
• XJ8L
• XJ Vanden Plas (this model was equivalent to ‘Daimler’ in Europe; the name ‘Daimler’ was not used by Jaguar in the US)
• XJR
• XJ Super V8

Notice: the XJ6 and the XJ 2.7D are not available in the US, unlike in Europe. The ‘L’ on the XJ8L badge denotes the long-wheelbase version.

Engines

Model	Type (displacement, bore x stroke)	power, torque@rpm	acceleration (0–100 km/h) (s)	top speed
2.7 litre V6 diesel	2,720 cc (2.72 L; 166 cu in) twin turbo V6, 81 mm (3.2 in)x88 mm (3.5 in)	207 PS (152 kW; 204 hp) @ 4,000, 435 N·m (321 lb·ft) @ 1,900	8.2	225 km/h (140 mph)
3.0 litre V6 petrol	2,967 cc (2.967 L; 181.1 cu in) V6, 89 mm (3.5 in)x79.5 mm (3.13 in)	235 PS (173 kW; 232 hp) @ 6,800, 293 N·m (216 lb·ft) @ 4,100	8.1	233 km/h (145 mph)
4.2 litre V8 petrol	4,196 cc (4.196 L; 256.1 cu in) V8, 86 mm (3.4 in)x90.3 mm (3.56 in)	298 PS (219 kW; 294 hp) @ 6,000, 303 N·m (223 lb·ft) @ 4,100	6.6	250 km/h (160 mph)
4.2 litre V8 petrol Supercharged	4,196 cc (4.196 L; 256.1 cu in) V8 supercharged, 86 mm (3.4 in)x90.3 mm (3.56 in)	395 PS (291 kW; 390 hp) @ 6,100, 541 N·m (399 lb·ft) @ 3,500	5.3	250 km/h (160 mph)

Transmission

All models use the same ZF six-speed automatic transmission, XJ6 petrol versions have a lower final drive ratio.

In popular culture

The Jaguar X350 (a facelifted X358) featured in an episode of BBC 2‘s Top Gear, where it drove from Basel to Blackpool Tower on one tank of fuel. Despite the 650-mile (1,050 km) pre-defined range, Jeremy Clarkson, who was driving the car at the time, had actually driven 800 miles (1,300 km), and after examining the tank, had enough fuel to do another 120 miles (190 km), making its range about 1,000 miles (1,600 km). Clarkson then described the car as “astonishing” and “the second most economical car in the world”, finishing just after Richard Hammond in a Polo.

Compact executive

• 1935–1949 1½ Litre saloon
• 1955–1959 Mark 1

1955-1959 Jaguar Mark 1

Jaguar Mark 1
Jaguar 2.4 Litre Special Equipment early 1957
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1955–1959 37,397 (19,992 2.4 Litre) (17,405 3.4 Litre)
Body and chassis
Body style	Saloon
Powertrain
Engine	2,483 cc XK I6 3,442 cc XK I6
Transmission	4-speed manual 4-speed manual + overdrive 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	107.5 in (2,730 mm)
Length	181 in (4,597 mm)
Width	66.75 in (1,695 mm)
Height	57.25 in (1,454 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar 2½ Litre saloon
Successor	Jaguar Mark 2

The Jaguar Mark 1 is a British saloon car produced by Jaguar between 1955 and 1959. Referred to in contemporary company documentation as the Jaguar 2.4 Litre and Jaguar 3.4 Litre, the word “Saloon” was often added. The designation “Mark 1” was included retrospectively upon its replacement by the Mark 2 in October 1959. The 2.4 Litre was the company’s first small saloon since the demise of its 1½ and 2½ Litre cars in 1949, and was an immediate success, easily outselling the larger Jaguar saloons.

The 2.4 Litre saloon was announced on 28 September 1955. The 3.4 Litre saloon announced 17 months later in USA on 26 February 1957 was designed for the American market and was not at first freely available on the domestic market.

History

In 1951 Jaguar relocated to Daimler’s Browns Lane plant which provided not merely sufficient production capacity for their existing range, but enabled them to move into the middle-weight executive saloon sector, then occupied in the UK by cars such as the stately Humbers, the bulbous Standard Vanguard and the heavy Rover P4. Jaguar’s new 2.4 and 3.4 introduced a modern style and a new level of performance to this respectable company.

Although having a family resemblance to the larger Mark VII, the Mark I differed in many ways. Most importantly, it was the first Jaguar with unitary construction of body and chassis. The independent front suspension featured double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar, all carried in a separate subframe mounted to the body by rubber bushes (with only minor revisions, this system was used on subsequent Jaguar saloons including early versions of the XJ). The live rear axle used a simplified version of the D-Type suspension, with inverted semi-elliptic springs cantilevered into the main body frame with the rear quarter section carrying the axle and acting as trailing arms. Transverse location was secured by a Panhard rod, the system being a significant improvement over other contemporary Jaguar saloons and sports cars (the reason for the unusual inverted leaf spring arrangement was the same as for the D-Type, to transfer all rear axle loads forward to the unitary body shell. The rear of the car was unstressed). The rear wheel track was some 4.5 in (114 mm) narrower than the front track and looked peculiar from behind, a feature that was blamed (probably incorrectly) for excessive understeer at low speed. It was reported to be better balanced at higher speeds – indeed, the narrower track was deemed to assist high speed straight-line stability and was a feature incorporated in many record-breaking cars of pre and post-War design. Nevertheless, it is probable that the narrower rear track was occasioned by the lack of a suitably dimensioned component from Salisbury, the axle manufacturer.

2.4 Litre with new grille introduced 1957

Rear view of 1957 3.4 Litre Automatic

The interior was of similar design to the contemporary Jaguar saloons and sports cars, with most of the dials and switches being located on the central dashboard between the driver and passenger. This arrangement reduced the differences between LHD and RHD versions.

Although its profile was very different from that of previous Jaguars, the side window surrounds and opening rear “no draught ventilator” (quarterlight) windows are reminiscent of Jaguar Mark IV saloons.

At launch the car had 11.125 in (283 mm) drum brakes but from the end of 1957 got the innovative (at the time) option of disc brakes on all four wheels.

The car was available in Standard or Special Equipment versions with the former lacking rev counter, heater (available as an option), windscreen washers, fog lights and cigarette lighter. Both versions did however have leather upholstery and polished walnut trim.

3.4 Litre engine

The Mark 1 was initially offered with a 2.4 Litre short-stroke version of the XK120’s twin-cam six-cylinder engine, rated at 112 bhp gross, but from February 1957 the larger and heavier 3.4 Litre 210 bhp unit already used in the Jaguar Mark VIII also became available, largely in response to pressure from US Jaguar dealers. Wire wheels became available. The 3.4 had a larger front grille for better cooling, a stronger rear axle, and rear-wheel covers (spats) were cut away to accommodate the wire wheels’ knock-off hubcaps. The 2.4 Litre was also given the larger grille. After 200 cars had been built and sent to USA and just prior to the car’s announcement a major factory fire destroyed 3.4 Litre production facilities. See also Jaguar XKSS.

In September 1957 a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission previously an export-only option became available with either engine and Dunlop disc brakes for all four wheels were made available as an optional extra on all Jaguar models except the Mark VIII saloon. 19,992 of the 2.4 and 17,405 of the 3.4 Litre versions were made.

Performance

A 2.4 Litre saloon with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956. It was found to have a top speed of 101.5 mph (163.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 14.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 18.25 miles per imperial gallon (15.48 L/100 km; 15.20 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1532 including taxes.

Very late (1959) Jaguar 3.4 Litre

They went on to test a 3.4 Litre automatic saloon in 1957. This car had a top speed of 119.8 mph (192.8 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 11.2 seconds and a fuel consumption of 21.1 miles per imperial gallon (13.4 L/100 km; 17.6 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1864 including taxes of £622.

A manual overdrive version of the 3.4 Litre was tested by The Autocar in June 1958. Its 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time was 9.1 seconds, and 0–100 mph (160 km/h) in 26 seconds, little more than a second behind the contemporary XK150 with the same engine.

Racing

Mark I 3.4 Litre saloons competed successfully in many rallies, touring car, and saloon car races, notable drivers including Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Tommy Sopwith, and Roy Salvadori.

In Australia, David McKay won the 1960 Australian Touring Car Championship at the wheel of a 3.4 Litre “Mark 1” and Bill Pitt won the 1961 Australian Touring Car Championship driving the same model.

Mike Hawthorn

The Jaguar Mark I gained a certain notoriety when on 22 January 1959 former motor racing world champion Mike Hawthorn died in an accident involving his own highly-tuned 1957 3.4 Litre, registration VDU 881, on the A3 Guildford By-Pass in Surrey, England.

• 1959–1967 Mark 2

Jaguar Mark 2

Jaguar Mark 2, 240 and 340
Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 Litre, first registered 1963
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Also called	Jaguar 240 & Jaguar 340 (from September 1967) Jaguar 3.8 Sedan (US market)
Production	1959–1967 83,976 (Mark 2) 1967–1969 7,234 (240 & 340)
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Class	Sports saloon
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Daimler 2.5-V8 / V8-250 Jaguar S-Type Jaguar 420
Powertrain
Engine	2,483 cc (2.5 L) XK I6 3,442 cc (3.4 L) XK I6 3,781 cc (3.8 L) XK I6 (until 1966)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	107 in (2,718 mm)
Length	180 in (4,572 mm)
Width	67 in (1,702 mm)
Height	58 in (1,473 mm)
Kerb weight	3,174 lb (1,440 kg) 2.4 manual without overdrive
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark 1
Successor	not replaced, Jaguar XJ6

The Jaguar Mark 2 is a medium-sized saloon car built from late 1959 to 1967 by Jaguar in Coventry, England. Twelve months before the announcement of the XJ6 they were renamed Jaguar 240 and Jaguar 340. The previous Jaguar 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre models made between 1955 and 1959 have been identified as Mark 1 Jaguars since Jaguar produced this Mark 2 model.

Until the XJ, Jaguar’s postwar saloons were usually denoted by Roman Numerals (e.g. Mark VII, Mark VIII) while the Mark 2 used Arabic Numerals, denoted on the rear of the car as “MK 2”.

The XK engine

Adhering to Sir William Lyons‘ maxim of “grace, pace and space”, the Mark 2 was a fast and capable saloon. It came with a 120 bhp (89 kW; 120 PS) 2,483 cubic centimetres (152 cu in), 210 bhp (160 kW; 210 PS) 3,442 cubic centimetres (210 cu in) or 220 bhp (160 kW; 220 PS) 3,781 cubic centimetres (231 cu in) Jaguar XK engine. The 3.8 is similar to the unit used in the 3.8 E-Type (called XKE in the USA), having the same block, crank, connecting rods and pistons but different inlet manifold and carburation (two SUs versus three on the E-Type in Europe) and therefore 30 bhp (22 kW) less. The head of the six-cylinder engine in the Mark 2 had curved ports compared to the straight ports of the E-Type configuration. The 3.4 Litre and 3.8 Litre cars were fitted with twin SU HD6 carburettors and the 2.4 Litre with twin Solex carburettors.

Some explanation is required concerning the claimed bhp figures shown above. Jaguar used gross bhp figures throughout the production period of the Mk II and 240/340 models. A direct conversion into DIN bhp is not possible, but we know that the 3.8 Mk II engine developed around 190bhp DIN.This compares with the later 4.2 XJ6 engine which also gave around 190bhp DIN or 245 gross bhp, according to Jaguar, both being for 8:1 compression engines. The explanation was that the lower peak for the XJ6 4.2 engine meant that the bhp was being delivered at less rpm, for the same output.The camshaft timing and inlet and exhaust valve sizes were the same for the 2.4,3.4,3.8 Mk II and XJ6 4.2 engines, so the engines throttled themselves sooner in the bigger engine sizes. The later 4.2 XJ6 engines had special induction pipes, to reduce exhaust emissions, that crossed over between the inlet and exhaust sides of the engine, which reduced bhp to around 170bhp on later production.

Body

Compared to the Mark 1, appearance of the car was transformed by an increase of 18% in cabin glass area greatly improving vision. The car was re-engineered above the waistline, slender front pillars allowed a wider windscreen and the rear window almost wrapped around to the enlarged side windows now with the familiar Jaguar D-shape above the back door and fully chromed frames for all the side windows. The radiator grille was amended and larger side, tail and fog lamps repositioned. Inside a new heating system was fitted and ducted to the rear compartment (although still notoriously ineffective). There was an improved instrument layout that became standard for all Jaguar cars until the XJ series II of 1973.

Mechanical changes

The front suspension geometry was rearranged to raise the roll centre and the rear track widened. Four-wheel disc brakes were now standard. Power steering, overdrive or automatic transmissions could be fitted at extra cost. The 3.8 Litre was supplied fitted with a limited-slip differential.

The Mark 2 was over 100kg heavier than the 2.4 / 3.4 cars.

Daimler 2.5 V8 and V8-250

1967 Daimler 2.5 V8 grille

Main article: Daimler 250

A popular luxury derivative fitted with Daimler’s own 142 bhp (106 kW; 144 PS) 2½-litre V8 it sold well from 1962 to 1967 as a Daimler 2.5 V8. In late 1967 it was re-labelled V8-250 to match Jaguar 240. As well as being significantly more powerful than the 2.4-litre XK6 the more modern Daimler engine was lighter by about 150 lb (68 kg) and also shorter which reduced the mass over the front wheels and so reduced understeer during hard cornering.

These cars were recognisable by the characteristic Daimler wavy fluting incorporated in the chrome radiator grille and rear number plate lamp cover, their smoothness and the sound of their V8 engine. They were given distinct exterior and luxury interior fittings.

240 and 340

1968 Jaguar 340

In September 1967 the 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre Mark 2 cars were rebadged as the 240 and 340 respectively. The 3.8 Litre model was discontinued. The 240 and 340 were interim models intended to fill the gap until the introduction of the XJ6 in September 1968. The 340 was discontinued on the introduction of the XJ6 but the 240 continued as a budget priced model until April 1969; its price of £1364 was only £20 more than the first 2.4 in 1956.

Output of the 240 engine was increased from 120 bhp (89 kW; 120 PS) @ 5,750 r.p.m. to 133 bhp (99 kW; 135 PS) @ 5,500 r.p.m. and torque was increased. It now had a straight-port type cylinder head and twin HS6 SU carburettors with a new inlet manifold. The automatic transmission was upgraded to a Borg-Warner 35 dual drive range. Power steering by Marles Varamatic was now available on the 340. Servicing intervals were increased from 2,000 miles to 3,000 miles. There was a slight reshaping of the rear body and slimmer bumpers and over-riders were fitted. For the first time the 2.4 litre model could exceed 100 mph, resulting in a slight sales resurgence.

The economies of the new 240 and 340 models came at a cost – the leather upholstery was replaced by Ambla leather-like material and tufted carpet was used on the floor—though both had been introduced on the Mark 2 a year earlier. Other changes included the replacement of the front fog lamps with circular vents and optional fog lamps for the UK market. The sales price was reduced to compete with the Rover 2000 TC.

Production

Four forward speeds and (electric) overdrive

Mark 2: 83,976 produced between 1959 and 1967, split as follows:

2.4 Litre – 25,173

3.4 Litre – 28,666

3.8 Litre – 30,141

240 and 340: 7,246 produced between 1967 and 1969, split as follows:

240 – 4,446

340 – 2,788

380 – 12 (not a standard production option)

The XJ6 was introduced in September 1968.

Performance

A 3.4 Litre with automatic transmission tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 119.9 mph (193.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 11.9 seconds. A touring fuel consumption of 19.0 miles per imperial gallon (14.9 L/100 km; 15.8 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1951 including taxes of £614.

A 3.8 Litre with the 220 bhp engine was capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and could reach a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

Motorsport

• Bob Jane won the 1962 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a 3.8 Litre Mark 2.
• Michael Parkes and Jimmy Blumer won the 1962 The Motor Six Hours International Saloon Car Race driving a 3.8 Litre Mark 2.
• Peter Nöcker won the 1963 European Touring Car Challenge driving a 3.8 Litre Mark 2.
• Bob Jane won the 1963 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a 3.8 Litre Mark 2 (fitted with a 4.1 litre engine).
• Roy Salvadori and Denny Hulme won the 1963 Brands Hatch 6 Hours driving a 3.8 Litre Mark 2.

Influence on modern Jaguars

The Mark 2’s body lines, derived from the Mark 1, and overall layout proved sufficiently popular over time to provide an inspiration for the Jaguar S-Type introduced in 1999.

Portrayal in media

Jaguar Mark 2

The Mark 2 gained a reputation as a capable car among criminals and law enforcement alike; the 3.8 Litre model being particularly fast with its 220 bhp (164 kW) engine driving the car from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and to a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) with enough room for five adults. Popular as getaway cars, they were also employed by the police to patrol British motorways.

The Mark 2 is also well known as the car driven by fictional TV detective Inspector Morse played by John Thaw; Morse’s car was the version with 2.4 L engine, steel wheels and Everflex vinyl roof. In November 2005, the car used in the television series sold for more than £100,000 following a total ground-up rebuild (prior to this, in its recommissioned state in 2002 after coming out of storage, it had made £53,000 at auction – £45,000 more than an equivalent without the history). In the original novels by Colin Dexter, Morse had driven a Lancia but Thaw insisted on his character driving a British car in the television series.

In the 1987 British film Withnail and I, a light-grey Mark 2 in very poor condition serves as the main transport for the eponymous main characters’ disastrous trip to the Lake District.

• 1963–1968 S-type

Jaguar S-Type (1963)

Jaguar S-Type (1963–68)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1963–1968 3.4-litre S-Type – 9,928 1963–1968 3.8-litre S-Type – 15,065
Body and chassis
Class	Sports saloon
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Jaguar Mark X
Powertrain
Transmission	4-speed manual; 4-speed manual/overdrive; or 3-speed automatic options available
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,730 mm (107 in)
Length	4,750 mm (187 in)
Width	1,683 mm (66 in)
Height	1,416 mm (56 in)
Curb weight	1,625 kg (3,583 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark 2
Successor	Intended Jaguar 420 Actual Jaguar XJ6

The Jaguar S-Type is an automobile which was produced by Jaguar Cars in the United Kingdom from 1963 to 1968. It was a technically more sophisticated development of the Jaguar Mark 2, offering buyers a more luxurious alternative to the Mark 2 but without the size and expense of the Mark X. The S-Type sold alongside the Mark 2, as well as the Jaguar 420 following its release in 1966. The 1960s S-Type should not be confused with the retro-styled Jaguar S-Type sold from 1999 to 2008.

History

The Jaguar Mark 2 was introduced in 1959 and sold throughout most of the 1960s. It had a live rear axle and was powered by the XK six-cylinder engine first used in the Jaguar XK120 of 1948. In the Mark 2 the engine was available in 2.4, 3.4 and 3.8-litre capacities.

In 1961 Jaguar launched two new models. The full size Jaguar Mark X saloon (pronounced mark ten) used Jaguar’s new independent rear suspension and a triple SU carburettor version of the 3.8-litre XK engine. The other new car for 1961 was the Jaguar E-Type sports car, which shared the same 3.8-litre engine as the Mark X but used a scaled down version of the independent rear suspension.

Having released the Mark X, with its many technical refinements, Jaguar boss Sir William Lyons expected the Mark 2 would need updating with similar features if it was to retain its place in the market. Accordingly, work began on developing the S-Type (codenamed “Utah Mk III”, the Mark 2 having been “Utah Mk II”) as soon as development work was finished on the Mark X.

The S-Type was a major redevelopment of the Mark 2. It used a mid-scale version of the Mark X independent rear suspension to replace the Mark 2’s live rear axle and featured longer rear bodywork, among other styling and interior changes. The S-Type was available with either 3.4 or 3.8-litre XK engines but only in twin carburettor form because the triple carburettor setup would not fit into what was essentially still the Mark 2 engine bay.

By the time of the S-Type’s release in 1963, the Mark 2 remained an unexpectedly strong seller despite its age. Although the Mark X was selling less well than hoped, especially in its intended market of the USA, Sir William decided to retain all three models in the Jaguar range concurrently. The Mark X was renamed “420G” in 1966 and was joined by another new model, the 4.2-litre 420. The 420 was developed to replace the S-Type but because some demand remained for the S-Type, all four saloon models (Mark 2, S-Type, 420 and 420G) remained on sale until the arrival of the Jaguar XJ6 in 1968. The XJ6 replaced all but the 420G in the Jaguar range.

Development

engines

No new engines were developed for the S-Type. It was first released with the SU HD-8 twin-carburettor variant of the 3.8-litre XK engine, the same as that which powered the 3.8-litre Mark 2. The 3.8-litre was the only engine offered on S-Types sold into the US market.

The lower powered 3.4-litre S-Type used the same 3.4-litre engine as the Mark 2. It was released a few months after the 3.8S and was not made available at any stage on Jaguar’s press demonstrator fleet in the UK. Whereas the 3.4-litre version remained the most popular engine option for the Mark 2, the 3.8-litre S-Type outsold the 3.4 S in the ratio 3 to 2, this despite the 3.8 S being discontinued in mid-1968, a couple of months before the 3.4S.

Mechanical

Despite the S-Type’s weight gain of 152 kg (335 lb) over the Mark 2, no changes were deemed necessary to the Dunlop four-wheel disc braking system.

Major changes were made to the S-Type’s steering system. The Burman power steering system in the Mark 2, with its 4.3 turns lock-to-lock, was regarded as being excessively low geared and lacking in road feel. In the S-Type it was replaced by a higher-geared Burman unit of 3.5 turns lock-to-lock, which linked the input shaft and hydraulic valve by a torsion spring to improve its “feel”.

The heating and ventilating system of the Mark 2 was not considered adequate for the more upmarket S-Type and was replaced with an improved system. Separate control of ventilation direction was provided for both driver and front seat passenger. Warm air could also be directed to the rear passengers through an outlet situated on the propeller shaft tunnel cover between the two front seats.

Suspension

A key element of the Mark X that Jaguar wanted to include in the S-Type was its sophisticated, and by then widely acclaimed, Jaguar independent rear suspension. The suspension was a revelation at the time of its introduction, and remained the benchmark against which others were judged until the 1980s. Essentially a double wishbone setup, it uses the driveshaft as the upper wishbone. It carries the drive, braking, suspension and damping units in a single fabricated steel crossbridge, which is isolated from the bodyshell by rubber blocks. Including this suspension in the S-Type necessitated the development of a new crossbridge suitable for its 54″ track, coming as it did between the 58″ track of the Mark X and 50″ track of the E-Type.

The S-Type used the same subframe mounted, coil sprung, twin wishbone front suspension as the Mark 2.

Styling

Rear 3/4 view of 1966 Jaguar S-Type 3.8

Sir William wanted to introduce some of the Mark X’s sleeker and sharper lines into the S-Type but with limited time and money available, most effort was applied to restyling the rear bodywork. The S-Type was given extended rear bodywork similar to that on the Mark X, which also gave it a much larger boot than the Mark 2. Relatively minor changes were made to the frontal styling of the car in an attempt to balance the longer rear styling, but the overall effect at the front was still very rounded. The only change made to the centre section was to flatten and extend the rear roofline, which made the car look larger and helped to give rear seat passengers slightly more headroom.

The styling of the S-Type was regarded by many of those who worked on it as being not altogether successful. The mismatch between the horizontal lines of its rear styling and the rounded front was least flattering when viewing the car from the front quarter. This ref. quotes Cyril Crouch, Assistant Chief Body Engineer at Browns Lane during development of the S-Type, as saying “We ourselves appreciated what an ugly looking car it was, and when it came out there was a … ‘Is that the best you can do?’ sort of thing! People like myself had to take the stick for producing such an abomination! Perhaps I shouldn’t call it that, but I think everyone was very pleased to see the end of the S and move on to the 420. It seemed an odd-looking vehicle.”

The reasonable sales success of the S-Type prior to the release of the Jaguar 420 suggests that not everyone was as offended by its styling as Mr Crouch. Nevertheless, the 420 did “finish the job” in a styling sense by adding to the car a squarer, four-headlamp front end more like that of the Mark X.

Among the significant styling changes between the Mark II and the S-Type were: the tail was extended, with styling features similar to the Mark X, but scaled down; the Mark 2’s spats over the rear wheels were deleted and the rear guards reshaped and brought lower over the wheels; new slimline bumpers were used front and rear, the front bumper still featuring a dip to reveal the full depth of the radiator grille; wraparound indicators and low mounted sidelights were added at the bottoms of the front wings; the foglamps were recessed more deeply into the wing fronts; the grille was given a thicker surround and centre bar; the headlamps were given a small peak, making the car look longer and thus going some way towards balancing the longer tail; the roofline was lowered, made flatter and extended rearwards slightly; and the rear window became larger and more upright.

Bodyshell

Starting with the Mark 2’s unitary bodyshell, Jaguar’s engineers had to alter it to accommodate the independent rear suspension’s extra bulk and weight and to extend the rear bodywork. Structural changes at the front were minimal and no changes at all were made to the inner scuttle, windscreen or dashboard structure.

Among the significant structural differences between the Mark 2 and S-Type are: the reprofiled roof line resulted in the B-pillar being approximately 1″ (25.4 mm) lower and the rear window aperture being larger and more upright; the Mark 2’s underbody reinforcing rails were extended to the rear of the car and enclosed, sweeping up and over the space for the rear suspension assembly; the boot floor was double-skinned and ribbed for additional strength; the spare wheel well was relocated centrally in the boot floor (it was on the right in the Mark 2); the lid of the new longer boot (trunk) was secured by two catches rather than the single catch of the Mark 2; the 12-gallon (14 US gal) fuel tank was removed from under the boot floor and replaced by two 7-gallon (approx. 8 US gal) tanks, one inside each rear wing; new front wings were made to carry the frontal styling changes listed above; new attachment points were made for the new wings and bumpers; and new wheelarches were made to match the new front guards and rear structure.

Interior

The S-Type’s interior again reflected the styling of the Mark X but included features particular to the S-Type. Changes to the rear seat accommodation gave the impression of far greater room than in the rear of a Mark 2 and changes to the front of the cabin also gave the impression of greater luxury.

Interior differences between the Mark 2 and S-Type included a scaled down Mark X Burled Belgian walnut veneer dashboard with a burled walnut pull-out drinks tray below the centre section, the veneer extending to the dashboard centre section, which in the Mark 2 had been covered with black vinyl; a full width parcel tray was fitted below the dashboard; new controls were provided to go with the improved heating and ventilation system; the front seats were widened to give the appearance of being almost full width, and each was provided with an inboard armrest; the centre console was redesigned to suit the wider front seats and rear compartment heating arrangements; the door trims were given horizontal fluting; Mark X type armrests were added to the front doors along with an elasticated map pocket; the rear doors were given new armrests with a flip-top ashtray and magazine pocket; the front seats were given a new fore and aft adjustment mechanism that raised the rear of the seat as it was moved forwards; the backs of the front seats were made thinner to the benefit of rear seat passenger legroom, and the rear seat had a 50 mm (2.0 in) thinner squab and its backrest was more steeply angled, further benefitting headroom already enhanced by the slightly higher rear roofline. These changes did, however, leave longer legged rear seat passengers in a fairly uncomfortable ‘knee-high’ posture.

• Interior of a 1966 car
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Performance

A contemporary road test by Autosport magazine was typical in describing the “on paper” performance of the 3.8 S-Type as slower than the 3.8-litre Mark 2 but its actual cross country performance as faster. Despite its extra weight, the S-Type’s independent rear suspension allowed it to corner faster than the Mark 2, especially on uneven surfaces. Other benefits ascribed to the rear suspension were better traction and a much smoother ride for rear seat passengers. Some enthusiasts rued the loss of the Mark 2’s “driftability” and noted that the S-Type suffered more body roll during high speed cornering but the consensus was that the S-Type provided significant improvements over the Mark 2 in roadholding, safety and ride comfort.

Car and Driver concluded its test report on a 3.8S with these words, “It can be a convenient family car, a businessman’s express, a sports coupe, and a grand tourer. The latter two classifications come particularly clear to anyone who spends much time with the car in the wet, when the sure-footedness of its all independent suspension and the Dunlop RS-5 tires makes its responsive handling an absolute revelation. The S-Type represents a great step forward for what has always been a fine automobile.” The RS-5 cross-ply tyres were soon to be replaced by much better Dunlop SP41 radials, further enhancing the car’s handling and grip.

Recorded performance figures obviously differed between testers and gearbox options but for the purposes of comparison, the following contemporary data are typical:

3.4 Mark 2 automatic
0–60 mph 10.0 sec
Max speed 118 mph (190 km/h)

3.4S manual/overdrive
0–60 mph 13.9 sec
Max speed 115 mph (185 km/h)

3.8S manual/overdrive
0–60 10.3 sec
Max speed 125 mph (201 km/h)

3.8S automatic
0–60 mph 11.5 sec
Max speed 116 mph (187 km/h)

Production developments

Several significant changes were made to the S-Type’s interior and mechanicals during its six years in production.

Of the various performance enhancing mechanical changes, most were applied to both the 3.4S and 3.8S at the same time. These were:

• In June 1964 the original Dunlop RS5 cross-ply tyres were replaced with Dunlop SP41 radials, removing the former’s tendency to squeal under hard cornering and providing higher limits of adhesion with more gradual breakaway at the limit.
• In October 1964 the brakes were given a bigger servo, requiring lower pedal pressures.
• Also in October 1964, the Moss four-speed manual gearbox with no synchromesh on first gear was replaced with Jaguar’s own all-synchromesh four-speed gearbox. Revised gear ratios improved acceleration and a more compact Laycock A-type overdrive unit was fitted (when the overdrive option was specified)
• A very few of the last S-Types built had the same Marles Varamatic variable ratio power steering that was available on the 420 and 420G.

The only production development not shared by both the 3.4S and 3.8S was that the Powr-Lok limited slip differential option ceased to be available on the 3.4S when the 1967 cost saving trim revisions were introduced.

In 1966 a dashboard switch was provided for the heated rear window, which had previously remained “on” as long as the ignition was on, leading to instances of flat batteries.

Sales performance

Jaguar 3.4S in factory opalescent silver blue

Though introduced in 1963, only a small number of S-Types was produced in that year. The S-Type did not manage to overtake the Mark 2’s production figures until 1965. It repeated the feat in 1966, the year in which the Jaguar 420 and its badge-engineered partner the Daimler Sovereign were introduced. In 1967 the 420/Sovereign outsold both the S-Type and the Mark 2, despite a resurgence in the latter’s sales that year. Both the Mark 2 and 420/Sovereign easily outsold the S-Type in 1967 and 1968. Sales of the S-Type in 1968, its last year of production, fell below four figures. Top seller in 1968 was actually the venerable Mark 2, potential buyers of both the S-Type and 420/Sovereign hanging back to wait for the new Jaguar XJ6.

Introduced late in 1968, the Jaguar XJ6 was slightly larger than the S-Type and 420/Sovereign and swept them both from the Jaguar range along with the Mark 2. The 420G continued to be available until 1970.

Production figures for each year of the S-Type’s life were:
1963 – 43
1964 – 7,032
1965 – 9,741
1966 – 6,260
1967 – 1,008
1968 – 909

Specifications

Engine	Jaguar 6-cylinder in-line, iron block, alloy head
Capacities	3.4 L (3442 cc) or 3.8 L (3781 cc)
Bore/Stroke	3.4 L (83 mm x 106 mm) or 3.8 L (87 mm x 106 mm)
Valves	DOHC 2 valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio	8:1 (7:1 and 9:1 optional)
Max. Power	3.4 L 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS) @ 5500 rpm or 3.8 L 220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS) @ 5500 rpm
Max. Torque	3.4 L 216 lb·ft (293 N·m) @ 3000 rpm or 3.8 L 240 lb·ft (325 N·m) @ 3000 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU HD6 (1.75 in)
Suspension	Front independent, with wishbones, coil springs with telescopic dampers and anti-roll barRear independent, with lower wishbone and driveshaft as upper link, radius arms and twin coil springs with telescopic dampers
Steering	Recirculating ball, worm and nut; power assistance optional
Brakes	Servo assisted discs on all four wheels, inboard at rear
Body/Chassis	Monocoque bodyshell with bolted front subframe, five-seater saloon, front-engine rear-wheel drive
Tyres/Wheels	6.40 x 15 crossply or 185 x 15 radial, 5.0in rim, five-stud disc wheels with wire spoke optional
Track	Front=1,403 mm (55 in) Rear=1,378 mm (54 in)

Scale Models

The S-type was modelled by Spot-on in the 1960s.

Neo Scale Models currently produce a 1:43 resin moulded model of the 3.4 S-Type.

• 1966–1968 420

Jaguar 420 and Daimler Sovereign (1966–69)

Jaguar 420 and Daimler Sovereign (1966–69)
1968 Jaguar 420 (left) and 1967 Daimler Sovereign (right)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1966–68 Jaguar 420: 10,236 1966–69 Daimler Sovereign: 5,824
Body and chassis
Class	Sports saloon
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Jaguar Mark 2 Jaguar Mark X
Powertrain
Engine	4.2 L XK I6
Transmission	4-speed manual (Jag only); 4-speed manual/overdrive; or 3-speed automatic options available
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,727 mm (107 in)
Length	4,762 mm (187 in)
Width	1,702 mm (67 in)
Height	1,429 mm (56 in)
Curb weight	1,676 kg (3,695 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar S-Type
Successor	Jaguar XJ6

The Jaguar 420 (pronounced “four-twenty”) and its Daimler Sovereign equivalent were introduced at the October 1966 London Motor Show and produced for two years as the ultimate expression of a series of “compact sporting saloons” offered by Jaguar throughout that decade, all of which shared the same wheelbase. Developed from the Jaguar S-Type, the 420 cost around £200 more than that model and effectively ended buyer interest in it, although the S-Type continued to be sold alongside the 420/Sovereign until both were supplanted by the Jaguar XJ6 late in 1968.

Pedigree

The 420/Sovereign traces its origins back to the Jaguar Mark 2, which was introduced in 1959 and sold through most of the 1960s. The Mark 2 had a live rear axle and was powered by the XK six-cylinder engine first used in the Jaguar XK120 of 1948. The Mark 2 was available in 2.4, 3.4 and 3.8-litre engine capacities.

In 1961 Jaguar launched two new models with the triple SU carburettor version of the 3.8-litre XK engine: the Mark X (pronounced “mark ten”) saloon and the E-Type sports car. Both cars used versions of Jaguar’s new independent rear suspension, the Mark X having a 58-inch (1,500 mm) track and the E-Type a 50-inch (1,300 mm) track. In 1965 the Mark X and E-Type were updated with a new 4.2-litre version of the XK engine, still using triple carburettors.

Meanwhile, in 1963 Jaguar had introduced the Jaguar S-Type as a development of the Mark 2. It used a new intermediate-width, 54-inch (1,400 mm) version of the independent rear suspension in place of the live rear axle of the Mark 2. Other differences from the Mark 2 were extended rear bodywork to provide for a larger boot, a changed roofline for more rear seat passenger headroom, a slightly plusher interior and detail differences around the nose. The S-Type was available with either 3.4 or 3.8-litre XK engines (only 3.8-litre in USA) but in twin-carburettor form because the triple-carburettor setup would not readily fit into what was essentially still the Mark 2 engine bay.

James Taylor suggests four reasons why Jaguar boss Sir William Lyons might have decided to add yet another model to an already extensive Jaguar range:

• sales of the Mark X were disappointing; the car was widely seen as being too big and cumbersome and a smaller car with similar standards of technical sophistication and luxury he thought could be more successful
• demands for more luxurious features would add weight to any future models, forcing the drive towards a 4.2-litre-engined compact saloon
• a combination of the 4.2-litre engine with the compact saloon body was expected to have market appeal
• aesthetic objections to the controversially styled S-Type were known to be harming its sales

Consequently, Sir William initiated development of a new saloon based on the S-Type, retaining its 54-inch independent rear suspension but adding a twin-carburettor version of the 4.2-litre powerplant and frontal styling more akin to that of the Mark X. The new car was released in August 1966 in the form of two badge-engineered models, the Jaguar 420 and the Daimler Sovereign.

Progress

Styling

Jaguar 420 (side view)

The starting point for design of the 420/Sovereign was the Jaguar S-Type, which had been in production since 1963 but whose styling had never met with universal acceptance.

In styling terms, the 420/Sovereign was essentially an S-Type with that car’s curvaceous nose made much more linear, the better to match its rear styling (which was not altered). Contouring around its four lamps was relatively subtle, with small peaks over each, and its flat frontage sloped forward slightly. The square grille with central divider matched that of the 420G, (which was the new name given to the Mark X at the time of the 420/Sovereign’s release). The low-set fog lamps of the Mark 2 and S-Type were replaced by a pair of inner headlamps at the same level as the main headlamps. The inner lamps were lit on main beam only. Dummy horn grilles were added below each inner headlamp to break up what would otherwise have been a large expanse of flat metal on either side of the radiator grille. The tops of the front wheel arches were flattened to match the squarer lines of the nose. The slimline bumpers dispensed with the centre dip which had characterised the bumpers of the Mark 2 and S-Type. All this was done to improve the car’s aesthetic balance compared with the S-Type and to create a family resemblance to the Mark X/420G, changes which Sir William could not afford (in either time or money) when the S-Type was designed. No attempt was made to give the 420/Sovereign the same front-hinged bonnet as the Mark X/420G and it retained a rear-hinged bonnet of similar dimensions to those of the S-Type and Mark 2.

Interior

Jaguar 420 interior

Changes to the S-Type’s interior to create the 420/Sovereign were driven mainly by safety considerations, with the wood cappings on the doors and dashboard replaced with padded Rexine and a wooden garnish rail on the tops of the door linings. The clock was relocated from the tachometer to the centre of the dashboard top rail, where it was powered by its own battery. The S-Type’s pull out map tray below the central instrument panel was not carried over although the 420 retained the same central console and under-dash parcel tray. The seats of the 420 were of slightly different proportions from the S-Type, although they appeared very similar.

Engine

The 4.2-litre XK engine of the 420/Sovereign was fitted with the straight port cylinder head and 3/8-inch lift cams. Compression ratios of 7:1, 8:1 and 9:1 could be specified according to local fuel quality, the difference being obtained by varying the crown design of the pistons. The engine was fed by just two carburettors and developed a claimed 245 bhp (183 kW; 248 PS) gross at 5,500 rpm, which was 20 bhp (15 kW; 20 PS) less than the triple-carburettor version in the 420G and E-Type. The maximum torque of the engine at 283 lb·ft (384 N·m) was virtually the same as that of the triple-carburettor version yet was achieved at 3,750 rpm rather than 4,000 rpm.

The factory-quoted horsepower rating of 245 bhp (183 kW; 248 PS) was measured using the SAE (gross) system current in the USA at the time the 420/Sovereign was sold there. The SAE (gross) system excluded many accessory drives and often used non-standard induction and exhaust systems and so was replaced by the more accurate SAE (net) system in 1972, long after the 420/Sovereign had gone out of production. Reference states that the DIN horsepower rating of the 1977 USA specification 4.2-litre Series II XJ6 was equivalent to 180 bhp. The DIN system yields horsepower ratings which, for most technical purposes, are the same as those that would be obtained using the SAE (net) system. However, the 1977 test would have included power-sapping emissions equipment not present on the 420/Sovereign. Therefore, the SAE (net) power rating of the 420/Sovereign must have lain somewhere between 180 bhp and 245 bhp.

Mechanical

Jaguar 420 engine bay

A novel mechanical feature that the 420/Sovereign shared with the 420G was Marles Varamatic power steering, which was offered as an option on the 420 but was standard on the Sovereign. Built by Adwest Engineering Co Ltd of Reading, England, it was a “cam and roller” system in which the non-constant pitch of the cam resulted in a variable steering ratio, with the lowest gearing being at the straight ahead, rising rapidly to either lock. The rise in gearing (equivalent to a drop in ratio from 21.6:1 to 13:1) occurred almost entirely within the first half turn of the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. The effect was to give very light and relaxed steering at the straight ahead, with quick reaction when cornering. There was no adjustment in the behaviour of the steering in reaction to road speed. A very few of the last S-Types were similarly equipped.

Other mechanical refinements the 420/Sovereign had over the S-Type included:

• replacement of the Borg Warner Type 35 automatic transmission with the stronger Model 8
• a more efficient cross-flow radiator in place of the S-Type’s smaller vertical flow type
• a dual-line hydraulic braking system replacing the S-Type’s single line system
• twin 2-inch HD8 SU carburettors (cf. the S-Type’s twin 1.75-inch HD6 SUs)
• brake discs featuring a peripheral cast-iron anti-squeal ring
• a Holset “Torquatrol” viscous coupled engine cooling fan
• negative earthing, the S-Type was positive earth
• a pre-engaged starter instead of a Bendix pinion
• an alternator rather than the S-Type’s dynamo

Performance

Contemporary road tests indicate that the performance of the 420 and Sovereign was very highly thought of.

A Motor (UK) road test in May 1967 reported:

It seems somehow insolent to apply medium [price] standards to a saloon that for a combination of speed, comfort and safety is as good as any in the world, regardless of cost.

A North American perspective was provided by Road & Track, whose December 1967 report concluded:

Jaguar’s big seller in the U.S. remains the E-type sports cars, but the 420 sedan offers just as unique a combination of qualities in its own field. For a reasonable basic price of $5900, Jaguar offers brisk performance, outstanding braking, excellent handling and ride, quality finish, and luxury in abundance, all in an automobile that’s easy to maneuver in today’s maddening traffic.

A road test by Wheels (Australia) in August 1967 enthused:

While they can continue to build and sell cars as good as this, there is hope for the man who cares about his motoring.

In terms of performance measured under test conditions, 0–60 mph in under 10 seconds and a top speed of more than 125 mph (201 km/h) were typical. Such performance figures were superior to those of many of the 4.2-litre XJ6 models that followed. Among the few exceptions the testers took was to its 15–16mpg average fuel consumption, which even for the late 1960s was rather high. Combined with the modest size of its two 7 Imperial gallon (31.75 litre) fuel tanks, such fuel consumption gave the model a touring range of only around 250 miles (403 km).

Daimler

 

Daimler Sovereign

Daimler Sovereign engine bay

Where as the Daimler 2½-litre V8 released in 1962 differed from the Jaguar Mark 2 in having a genuine Daimler engine, only the Sovereign’s badging and aspects of interior trim differentiated it from the 420.

The market perception of the two marques Daimler and Jaguar, which the material differences between them sought to foster, was that the Daimler represented luxury motoring for the discerning and more mature gentleman whereas the Jaguar was a sporting saloon aimed at a somewhat younger clientele. In the Daimler model range, the Sovereign filled a gap between the 2½-litre V8 and the larger and more conservatively styled 4½-litre Majestic Major. Prices in the UK of the basic 420 and Sovereign, as quoted in the Motor magazine of October 1966 were:

Manual o/d – Jaguar £1615, Daimler £1724
Automatic – Jaguar £1678, Daimler £1787

In return for the ≈6.5% difference in price, the Daimler purchaser obtained only a few substantive advantages but would have considered the cachet of the Daimler badge to be well worth the extra money; indeed the Daimler name attracted buyers who disliked the Jaguar’s racier image. By the same token, rather than being unable to afford the difference for a Daimler, those who chose the Jaguar are unlikely to have regarded the Daimler as something they would wish to own anyway.

In total, the Daimler differed from the Jaguar in having:

• a plastic insert on the rear number plate housing bearing the Daimler name. On the 420 the cast number plate housing bore the Jaguar name and on the Sovereign this remained beneath the plastic “Daimler” insert
• wheel trim centres, horn button, oil filler cap and seat belt clasps carrying the stylised D rather than the title Jaguar, a Jaguar’s head or no badging at all
• ribbed camshaft covers bearing the inscription ‘Daimler’ rather than ‘Jaguar’, (although earlier versions shared the same polished alloy covers)
• all of the 420 extras as standard, including a heated rear window, overdrive on manual transmission cars and power assisted steering
• a flying D mascot at the forward edge of the bonnet in place of the ‘leaping cat’ Jaguar mascot above the radiator grille
• a fluted radiator grille with stylised D badge in place of the smooth crowned and Jaguar-badged grille
• arguably more carefully selected and matched walnut veneer trim
• higher grade Vaumol ventilated leather seat centre sections
• better quality covers for the sun visors

Differentiation

The larger, Mark X-based Jaguar 420G

Difficulty in differentiating the 420/Sovereign from other Jaguar/Daimler models has meant that they are less well known than other Browns Lane products of the era. Even some Jaguar enthusiasts are unsure exactly where and when the 420/Sovereign fitted into the Jaguar range.

At the same time as the 420 was released, Jaguar added a chrome side strip and side repeater indicator to the Mark X and a centre bar to its grille. Along with alterations to the interior, these changes were used to justify renaming it the 420G (“G” for Grand). The Motor magazine of October 1966 referred to the 420G as “still one of the best looking large cars in the world today” and commented on the similarity of its new radiator grille to that of the 420. Given the similarity between both the names and frontal styling of the 420 and 420G, the casual observer might be forgiven for mistaking one for the other.

Daimler DS420

In 1968 the Daimler DS420 limousine began to be produced, carrying a similarly styled grille to the Sovereign and using the 4.2-litre Jaguar engine in twin carburettor form, and also undergoing final assembly at Jaguar’s Browns Lane factory in Coventry, England. Although this car was based on a modified 420G floorpan rather than that of the 420, the existence of a third Jaguar-manufactured model with “420” in its name provides further scope for confusion.

Similar confusion arises with regard to the Daimler Sovereign. From late 1969 its Series I Jaguar XJ6-based successor continued with the Daimler Sovereign name until 1983, when the “Sovereign” model name was instead applied to the high-specification version of the Jaguar (which by then was into its Series III XJ6 iteration).

Demise

In 1967, its first full year of production, the 420/Sovereign easily outsold the other Jaguar saloon models still in production (the 240 and 340 Jaguar Mark 2s, Daimler 250 V8, Jaguar S-Type and 420G) and effectively ended buyer interest in the S-Type. Nevertheless, relatively few were made in total due to the fact that the Coventry factory stopped making the Jaguar 420 in 1968, just over two years after production began and with just 10,236 produced. The Daimler Sovereign continued into 1969 and 5,824 were sold.

In 1968, 420/Sovereign sales were again well in excess of those of the S-Type and 420G but it was outsold by the resurgent Jaguar Mark 2/Daimler 250. By this time, many potential 420/Sovereign buyers were hanging back to wait for the new Jaguar XJ6. Introduced late in 1968, the XJ6 was slightly larger than the 420 and swept it from the Jaguar range along with the Mark 2 and S-Type, although the Daimler 250 remained in production into 1969 and the 420G lasted until 1970.

The decision by Sir William to base the Jaguar XJ6 on the engine, suspension and approximate dimensions of the 420/Sovereign showed his faith in the 420/Sovereign formula as the best way to rationalise the company’s saloon car range. In that way, the 420/Sovereign became a victim of its own success.

The Jaguar 420 ceased production at Browns Lane in September 1968 and the Daimler Sovereign in July 1969, although CKD (“completely knocked down”) Jaguar 420 kits were supplied as late as November 1968 for assembly by Jaguar Cars South Africa Ltd.

Scale models

As yet, no diecast model of either the 420 or Sovereign has been produced.

• Airfix produced a 1/32 scale plastic kit of the 420 during the car’s production run.
• MPC models produced a 1/32 scale plastic kit of the 420 during the 1960s, kit No. 1006-100
• Neo Scale Models currently produce a 1:43 resin moulded model of the 420 and also a Sovereign version.

Specifications

Engine	Jaguar 6-cylinder in line, iron block, alloy head
Capacity	4,235 cc (258.4 cu in)
Bore/Stroke	92.07 mm × 106 mm (3.6 in × 4.2 in)
Valves	DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio	8:1 (7:1 and 9:1 optional)
Max. Power	245 bhp (183 kW; 248 PS) (SAE Gross) @ 5,500 rpm
Max. Torque	283 lb·ft (384 N·m) @ 3,750 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU HD8 (2 in)
Suspension	Front independent, with wishbones, coil springs with telescopic dampers and anti-roll barRear independent, with lower wishbone and driveshaft as upper link, radius arms and twin coil springs with telescopic dampers
Steering	Recirculating ball, worm and nut; Varamatic power assistance optional on Jaguar (standard on Daimler)
Brakes	Servo assisted discs on all four wheels, inboard at rear
Body/Chassis	Monocoque bodyshell with bolted front subframe, five-seater saloon, front engine, rear-wheel drive
Tyres/Wheels	6.40 × 15 crossply or 185 × 15 radial, 5.5 in rim, five-stud disc wheels with wire spoke optional
Track	Front=1,410 mm (56 in) Rear=1,384 mm (54 in)
Weight (dry)	1695 kg

• 1966–1968 240 & 340
• 1999–2008 S-type

Jaguar S-Type

This article is about the modern S-Type. For the classic S-Type, see Jaguar S-Type (1963).

Jaguar S-Type
Jaguar S-Type (2004–2007)
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1999–2008
Model years	2000-2008
Assembly	Birmingham, England Taiwan (Ford Lio Ho)
Designer	Geoff Lawson(1995) Ian Callum (2004 Face lift)
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford DEW98 platform
Related	Lincoln LS
Powertrain
Engine	petrol 2.5 V6 3.0 V6 4.0 V8 4.2 V8 4.2 S V8 diesel 2.7 V6
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed automatic 6-speed semi-automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.5 in (2,908 mm)
Length	2006-08: 193.1 in (4,905 mm) 2002-05: 192.0 in (4,877 mm) 2000-01: 191.3 in (4,859 mm)
Width	2006-08: 81.1 in (2,060 mm) 2000-05: 71.6 in (1,819 mm)
Height	2000-03: 55.7 in (1,415 mm) 2004-05: 56.0 in (1,422 mm) 2006-08: 57.0 in (1,448 mm)
Kerb weight	1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Jaguar XF

The Jaguar S-Type is a model of executive car that debuted at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show and was marketed by Jaguar for model years 1999-2008, reviving the nameplate of the company’s 1963 S-Type. The S-Type received a mild facelift for model year 2005.

Model history

Overview

The S-Type was produced at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich facility in Birmingham, England. The car was styled by Geoff Lawson in 1995 and is based on the Jaguar DEW platform/Ford DEW platform, shared with the Lincoln LS.

The first S-Types (“X200” 1999–2002) are distinguished by a U-shaped centre console and optional touch-screen navigation system in the 2003 and later models. The traditional leaping jaguar hood ornament was optional even though it is approved by the US and EU standards and breaks away in the case of an accident. Subsequent models (“X202”, “X204”, “X206”; the last digit denoting the model year) have the Jaguar logo incorporated within the radiator grille and a more traditional ‘looped’ styling for the centre console. In Australia, the “leaper” bonnet ornament did not become available until 2004.

1999–2004 Jaguar S-Type sedan (Australia)

The supercharged S-Type R (Jaguar STR for short) joined the lineup in 2002, and the hope was that it would compete with BMW’s M5 and the Mercedes E55 AMG. The R was powered by the newly revised 4.2-Litre V8 with an Eaton M112 supercharger, producing 400 hp (300 kW; 410 PS) and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.3 seconds (0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 s). It included 18-inch (457-millimeter) alloy wheels, wire-mesh grille, and monochromatic paint. The R also has a rear apron, side-skirts, and front apron with built-in fog-lamps, a rear spoiler, a brace located near the rear subframe, and R badging on the boot lid and both front fenders (wings).

Later models of the S-Type R featured a revised pulley system for the Eaton M112 supercharger, allowing it to produce an extra 20 hp (15 kW; 20 PS).

Also added on the 2003 model was an electronic parking-brake paddle-switch that replaced the conventional manually operated lever for the rear brakes. For the 2003 model year, the Jaguar S-type was given a six-speed, automatic ZF 6HP26 transmission as well as a revised 3.0-litre V6 engine with 235 hp (175 kW) (US spec) versus 210 hp (160 kW) for the 1999 to 2002 models. The 2003 model featured a revised dash, centre console, and a grille with the Jaguar badge to give the vehicle a more Jaguar-like appearance, and a flip-open key was devised for the ignition.

A minor facelift on the 2005 model year featured redesigned front and rear aprons, a slightly modified grille, remodeled rear light clusters, an aluminium bonnet, and a new 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine with 207 hp (154 kW). The windscreen washer jets were incorporated into the windscreen wiper arms. There were no changes made to the cabin interior. 2006 to 2008 models featured no fog lights.

Powertrain

The S-Type was powered by a variety of petrol and diesel engines. At launch, the V8 S-Type was powered by the 4.0L Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, the capacity of which was increased to 4.2L in 2002. Variants of this engine are used in Ford, Lincoln, Landrover/Rangerover and Aston Martin models. V6 engines used are the Ford Duratec unit which is used extensively throughout the Ford model range (and in Ford subsidiary companies). The 2.5 L V6 engine was not available for vehicles exported to the United States and Canada. Diesel engines are the Ford/Peugeot 2.7L HDi Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 which is used in a number of Ford, Peugeot, Citroen, Jaguar and Landrover models.

From model years 1999 to 2002, the rear-wheel-drive S-Type was equipped with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed J-Gate Ford 5R55N transmission . From 2003, the S-Type was produced with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a six-speed J-Gate transmission that allows automatic gear selection or clutchless manual gear selection. The 2004 diesel saw the introduction of a 6-speed manual transmission; it was also available with the six-speed J-Gate automatic transmission.

2006-08 Jaguar S-Type (North America)

• 

  2003 Jaguar S-Type Sport Plus (UK)

• 2001–2009 X-type

Jaguar X-Type

Jaguar X-Type
Jaguar X-Type Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	2001–2009
Assembly	United Kingdom: Halewood, England (Halewood Body & Assembly)
Designer	Ian Callum (estate) Wayne Burgess (saloon)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact Executive
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate
Layout	Transverse Front engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	Ford CD132 platform
Related	Ford Mondeo
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L ZSD-420 I4 (turbochargeddiesel) 2.1 L AJ20 V6 (petrol) 2.2 L ZSD-422 I4 (turbocharged diesel) 2.5 L AJ25 V6 (petrol) 3.0 L AJ30 V6 (petrol)
Transmission	5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.7 in (2,710 mm)
Length	Saloon (’01-’08): 4,672 mm (183.9 in) Saloon (’08-’09): 4,716 mm (185.7 in) Estate (’04-’09): 185.5 in (4,710 mm)
Width	Body (’01-’09) 70.4 in (1,790 mm) Overall (’01-’08) 78.8 in (2,000 mm) Overall (’08-’09) 2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Height	Saloon (’01-’08) 54.8 in (1,390 mm) Saloon (’08-’09) 1,430 mm (56.3 in) Estate (’04-’09) 58.4 in (1,480 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Jaguar XE

The Jaguar X-Type is a compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Cars from 2001 to 2009 in a single generation under the internal designation X400. Manufactured at the Halewood Assembly Facility near Liverpool, the X-Type was developed during the period when Jaguar was a division of Ford’s Premium Auto Group, was based on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform.

The smallest of the Jaguar model range, the X-Type was marketed in sedan/saloon and wagon/estate variants, and was the first estate manufactured in series production by the company.

Description

The Jaguar X-Type, codenamed X400, was launched in October 2001. It was Jaguar’s first compact executive car since the Jaguar Mark 1 of 1955. The X-Type was one of the last to be styled under the supervision of Geoff Lawson, with Wayne Burgess as principal designer.

The four-door saloon was launched in 2001 and in 2004 the five-door estate joined the range. Production of both versions ended in 2009. The estate was officially known as the “Sportwagon” in the United States. It was the first Jaguar model designed by Ian Callum.

Initially, the X-Type was only available with all-wheel-drive and either a 2.5 litre or 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine. In 2002, an entry-level 2.1 litre V6 front-wheel-drive model was added. All three engines were available with either five-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. The X-Type grille was slightly modified for both the 2004 and 2006 model years.

Facelift

Jaguar X-Type estate (2008 facelift)

The X-Type facelift was unveiled at the 2007 Canary Wharf Motorexpo. The revised X-Type went on sale internationally during 2008, with UK sales from March. The facelift featured revised front and rear facias, new door mirrors with integrated turn indicator repeaters, the choice of a 2.2-litre diesel with particulate filter and a new six-speed automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift. The range continued to offer the 2.0-litre diesel, and two V6 petrol engines; 2.5 and 3.0-litre. In some European markets, the petrol engines nolonger marketed.

On 15 July 2009, Jaguar Land Rover announced that it would end production of the X-Type by late 2009, with the loss of 300 jobs, and have a three-week shut down, at their plant in Halewood where the car was built, between September and December. By this time more than 350,000 had been produced.

Special editions

In 2004, the Spirit limited model based on the 2.5-litre V6 featured the ‘Sports Collection’ pack with new spoilers and rear valance. It was followed in 2005 by the XS limited edition, which continued the sports theme, but available with a wider range of engines.

Technical

The X-Type was based on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform shared with the Ford Mondeo. The X-Type was initially offered as all-wheel drive only and mated to a 2.5 litre and 3.0 litre AJ-V6 petrol engine.

The Jaguar AJ-V6 engine design is unique to the Jaguar X-Type; one notable addition is the use of variable valve timing. The X-Type’s petrol engine is also set apart by the use of SFI fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and features fracture-split forged powder metal connecting rods plus a one-piece cast camshaft and has direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets.

In 2003, the X-Type was also offered in front-wheel drive with the introduction of Jaguar’s first four-cylinder diesel engines (based on the Ford Duratorq ZSD unit from the Mondeo and Transit), and with the smaller 2.1 litre petrol V6. The six-speed automatic transmission supplied on the later 2.2-litre diesel models includes Jaguar Sequential Shift.

Safety

Euro NCAP 2002 X-Type	Points	Rating
Adult Occupant:	26 out of 36
Pedestrian Impact:	2 out of 36

ANCAP 2010 X-Type	Points	Rating
Overall Score:	26.40 out of 37
Offset Impact:	10.40 out of 16
Side Impact:	14.10 out of 16
Pole Impact:	2 out of 2
Bonus Points:	0 out of 3

NHTSA 2004 X-Type	Rating
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Rollover 4WD:	(10.5%)

Sales and reception

Jaguar X-Type 2.0D 2004 Sport-wagon facelift dashboard, UK

X-Type 3.0 estate, US

In November 2000, managing director Jonathan Browning said Jaguar’s objective was to achieve annual sales of 100,000 with the car, partly by taking market share from established German rivals and partly by expanding the market segment in Jaguar’s key markets. The X-Type was Jaguar’s best-selling model during almost all its production run, but sales did not meet projections, peaking at 50,000 in 2003. In the United States, the car’s primary market, sales dropped from 21,542 in 2004 to 10,941 in 2005. In the same year, Audi sold 48,922 A4s, BMW sold 106,950 3 Series‘ and Mercedes-Benz sold 60,658 C-Class‘.

The X-Type’s sharing of a modified Ford Mondeo platform (shared with the Land Rover Freelander Compact SUV which was also produced at Halewood) wasn’t well received by Jaguar “purists.” The X-Type’s limited powertrain choices also affected its market reception. Initially, the X-type was only available with thirsty 6-cylinder petrol engines coupled to an all-wheel drive system, whilst its key German rivals – the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class are sold predominantly in 2-wheel drive form with 4-cylinder petrol or diesel engines, a critical offering in the economy-conscious European market. A 4-cylinder diesel option (with 2-wheel drive) was not offered in the X-Type until several years after its release. Time magazine called the X-Type a “British Cadillac Cimarron” in its “50 Worst Cars of All Time” list, saying its platform sharing made it unpopular.

Jeremy Clarkson of BBC‘s Top Gear lauded the X-Type, especially the 4×4 and sport versions. In two episodes he demonstrated its capabilities in the snow, declaring that it “laughs in the face of the weatherman, the police and the AA, with their advice to stay at home”. Although he gives a different representation of the car being a Ford Mondeo underneath, affirming that this should not put you off, saying that “genetically, you are 98% identical to a halibut, but it’s the 2% that makes the difference”.

Other car magazine and website reviews were largely positive for the X-Type, especially during its introduction. The X-Type used only 20% of Ford Mondeo’s components, while a variety of Ford platforms, engines and components were being used by all models of the Ford Motor Company’s luxury brands in that period, namely Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lincoln. In 2008, Jaguar director of design Ian Callum said that the X-Type “was essentially designed in Detroit and presented as close as a fait accompli to reluctant designers and engineers at Jaguar’s Whitley design centre.”

• 2008–present XF

Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	2007–present
Assembly	Castle Bromwich Assembly, Birmingham, England Pune, India (CKD)
Designer	Ian Callum (2005)
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car/Mid-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate
Layout	FR
Platform	Ford DEW98 platform
Related	Lincoln LS (2000–2006) Ford Thunderbird (2002–2005) Jaguar S-Type (1999–2008)
Powertrain
Engine	petrol 2.0 T I4 3.0 V6 3.0 S V6 4.2 V8 4.2 S V8 5.0 V8 5.0 S V8 diesel 2.2 I4 2.7 V6 3.0 V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic 8-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,909 mm (114.5 in)
Length	4,961 mm (195.3 in) Saloon 4,966 mm (195.5 in) Sportbrake
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in) (exc. mirrors; 2008-2011) 2,077 mm (81.8 in) (inc. mirrors; 2008-2011) 80.8 in (2,052 mm) (2012-)
Height	1,460 mm (57.5 in)
Kerb weight	1,850 kg (4,079 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar S-Type

The Jaguar XF (codename: X250) is an executive/mid-size luxury car and estate produced by British car manufacturer Jaguar Cars which was first revealed in autumn 2007 as a replacement for the Jaguar S-Type.

Overview

2008 Jaguar XF

The XF was developed at Jaguar’s Whitley design and development HQ in Coventry and is built at Castle Bromwich Assembly facility in Birmingham. During its development the XF was known by its codename X250.

The XF was launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, following the public showing of the C-XF concept in January 2007 at the North American International Auto Show. Designed by Jaguar’s design director Ian Callum, it was a significant design change from its predecessor. The styling of the finalised production XF varies from that of the C-XF, most notably around the front lights and nose, which incorporates an oval mesh grille harking back to the original Jaguar XJ of 1968. The boot lid retained the S-Type’s chromed blade to its edge, but also included a “leaper” Jaguar logo as well.

The interior included some unique features such as the air conditioning vents which are flush-fitting in the dash, rotating open once the engine is started, and a rotating gearshift dial called the JaguarDrive Selector which rises out of the centre console. Another departure from the traditional Jaguar cabin ambiance is the use of pale-blue backlighting to the instruments, switchgear, and around major control panels. Some minor systems, such as the interior lighting, are controlled simply by touching the light covers. The glove compartment also opens to the touch. Unusually the XF has no cloth interior option, with even the entry level model being fully trimmed in leather – even areas that have employed plastic on previous Jaguars. Real wood veneers are available, but have been joined by aluminium, carbon fibre and piano black lacquer trims to create a modern look to the passenger compartment.

Customer deliveries commenced in March 2008, with a range of V6 and V8 engines.

Worldwide Sales

Year	Sales
2009	26,247
2010	34,368
2011	30,646
2012	34,693
2013	47,422

Facelift (2011)

Facelift Jaguar XF

In April 2011, Jaguar revealed the details of a facelift for the XF at the New York International Auto Show, with manufacturing beginning in July 2011.^[

The facelift includes front and rear styling changes which are based on the original Jaguar C-XF concept car, internal trim enhancements, adaptive cruise control, and a new four-cylinder 187 bhp (139 kW; 190 PS) 450 N·m (332 lb·ft) 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is combined with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and stop-start technology to emit 149 g/km CO₂ and fuel consumption of 52.3 mpg_-imp (5.40 L/100 km; 43.5 mpg_-US).

XF models

The XF was launched with a variety of models called, depending on country, ‘SE’, ‘Luxury’, ‘Premium Luxury’ (or ‘Premium’), ‘Portfolio’ (or ‘Premium Portfolio’), ‘SV8’ (or ‘Supercharged’) and ‘R’. For the UK market, company car friendly ‘Executive Edition’ and ‘SE Business’ models with a lower tuned versions of the 3.0 L and 2.2 L diesel engines respectively are available.

XF Supercharged (2009–)

The 2008 4.2-litre supercharged engined was replaced by the new 5.0-litre supercharged engine rated at 470 PS (346 kW; 464 hp), and came with Adaptive Dynamics (computer controlled continuously variable damping) and Active Differential Control (electronically controlled rear differential).

XFR (2009–)

2010 Jaguar XFR

The XFR was announced at Detroit‘s North American International Auto Show in January 2009 as a new performance derivative of the XF range, and featured the new 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III engine rated 510 PS (375 kW; 503 hp), a revised front bumper and spoiler and 20-inch (510 mm) alloy wheels.

Police car (2009–)

2011 facelift Jaguar XF Sportbrake police car

A special version of the XF Diesel S was announced in 2009 for the UK police car market, with the first police force orders in 2010. Its emergency vehicle equipment included a roof-mounted light bar with 3,600 light elements, side alley lights, blue and white strobing LEDs in the grille and blue flashing LEDs along the side of the car, blue and red flashing LED lights in the rear light clusters.

XF Sportbrake (2012–)

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

The Sportbrake was formally revealed in March 2012, and went on-sale date in October of the same year. It is available with all of the saloon’s engines and has a loading capacity of 550 litres (19 cubic feet) with the seats up and 1,675 litres (59.2 cubic feet) with them folded. The maximum capacity surpasses that of rivals BMW 5-Series Touring, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, and the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. The extended roofline increases rear headroom by 48 mm (1.9 inches) and the rear bench includes a 60:40 split and remote-controlled ‘one-touch’ folding function. The load area is fitted with multi-function rails and is 1,970 mm (78 inches) long and 1,064 millimetres (41.9 in) wide.

XFR-S (2013–)

An R-S version of the XF was confirmed in 2012 following on from a picture that Jaguar released shortly before the Los Angeles Motor Show. It uses the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine as the XKR.

The engine produces 550 PS (400 kW) and 680 N·m (500 lbf·ft) of torque. The XFR-S has an electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h and does 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The XFR-S differs from the normal XFR as it has bespoke 20-inch Varuna-design alloy wheels, wider front grills and carbon fibre. The front grills improve aerodynamic efficiency as does the large rear wing. Combined, they cut lift by 68%. At the back there is a rear diffuser and quad tailpipes. The suspension is stiffer by 30% and the electronic differential and stability control are reprogrammed to take the extra power.

Specifications

Aerodynamics

The car body was developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) before the car ever saw a wind tunnel. Every area from the outer skin to the lightweight, composite undertray to the cooling airflow (even the shape of the exterior mirrors) was optimised using this process. The higher, squarer tail is more efficient aerodynamically than a lower, rounded one, and the XF’s coupé-like roofline and raised bootlid lip improve airflow over the rear of the car.

Chassis

The basic sub-structure of the XF has been carried over from the S-Type, although the body has been stretched to meet crash safety requirements, and heightened to provide additional headroom while still retaining the “saloon within a coupé” proportions. The suspension and mountings are the same as that used on the XK, while the engine line-up is basically similar to that used in the S-Type.

Sound and vibration insulation is provided by the addition of a special underbody tray and engine mounts, a tuned exhaust system, and a double bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment.

Engine specifications

All XF models are automatic and are Euro 5 compliant. The naturally-aspirated petrol 3.0 V6 was discontinued in Europe in 2010, but continues to be sold elsewhere.

Next Green Car (NGC) an organisation that analyses vehicle emissions and rates them from 0 (cleanest) to 100 (dirtiest) – analysed the emissions from Jaguar’s current XF range: ADAC’s EcoTest has also rated three of the diesel engines.

The 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine, replaced in 2009 with a new 3.0-litre V6 diesel AJ-V6D Gen III, came in two states of tune. The diesel engines are a product of the joint venture between Ford and Peugeot-Citroën.

Transmissions

The XF was launched with only an automatic gearbox. The six-speed ZF automatic with torque converter lock-up is programmed to shift 10% quicker than before and is fitted to all petrol engines. Diesel engines are fitted with an advanced eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. On both transmissions the gears can either be selected using a rotary dial that rises from the centre console on start-up or can be manually controlled using paddles behind the steering wheel. An AWD option is available in some left hand drive markets, and is only available with the supercharged 3.0L V6 engine.

Equipment

Sound system

The standard audio system comprises a ten-speaker, 250 W set-up that includes a radio, CD player, WMA and MP3 compatibility as well as USB storage devices.

From 2008 to 2012, there was an optional Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) sound system available. At its core there are 17 speakers which (with the exception of the aluminium high-frequency tweeters) employ B&W’s Kevlar composite speaker cones. Each front door contains a 168 mm (6.6 in) woofer, a 100 mm (4 in) mid-range speaker and a 25 mm (1.0 in) dome tweeter (the latter two wired in parallel with a crossover), while each rear door houses a similar 168 mm (6.6 in) woofer and 25 mm (1.0 in) tweeter. As a centre speaker there is a 100 mm (4 in) full-range driver, similar to the two 100 mm (4 in) full-range ‘surround’ speakers located on the rear parcel shelf. The B&W system has been reviewed by journalists at Autocar magazine, who proclaimed it the best in-car system they have ever heard.

For 2013 models, Jaguar introduced the option of a new Meridian sound system upgrade instead of B&W; with a choice of 380 W 11-speaker or an 825 W surround sound 17-speaker system.

Multimedia interaction

A 7-inch full-colour screen is fitted to the dashboard of all XFs and can be used to control most multimedia systems. The same screen can also be upgraded with analogue and digital television capability. Available as an option is JaguarVoice which allows the driver to speak commands in order to control everything from the sound and navigation systems to telephone calls and the climate control system.

Safety

The XF was crash tested in 2010 by EuroNCAP and it gained a four star rating. The XF’s result was seen as a disappointment by some car magazines. When retested in 2011, the XF turned in improved scores in adult occupant, child occupant and pedestrian areas.

Jaguar XF Euro NCAP 2010	Jaguar XF Euro NCAP 2011
Test Points  % Overall – Adult Occupant 28 78% Child Occupant 32 65% Pedestrian Impact 16 43% Safety Assist 5 71%	Test Points  % Overall – Adult Occupant 28 79% Child Occupant 36 73% Pedestrian Impact 22 62% Safety Assist 5 71%

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) also tested the XF and gave it a score of 32.38 points out of 37, giving it an ANCAP rating of 4 out of 5.

Thatcham’s New Car Whiplash Ratings awarded the XF ‘good’ score for Geometric, Dynamic and Overall ratings.

Security

Deadlocks, an alarm and an engine immobiliser are fitted as standard to the XF. The car also locks itself when it reaches a pre-set speed to help protect against carjackings. The XF was tested by Thatcham’s New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved the following ratings:

NVSR	Rating
Theft of car:
Theft from car:

Critical reception

Jeremy Clarkson of ‘Top Gear reviewed the XFR during episode 5 of series 13. During the review he said: “I’m not going to, even for a minute suggest that it’s [XFR] better than the M5, but it’s as-good-as. And praise does not get higher than that”. During the same episode The Stig managed a lap time of 1:26.7 s with the XFR, making the XFR only 0.5 s slower than its rival the BMW M5 (1:26.2).

Jaguar speed record

On 7 November 2008, a modified XFR was driven by Paul Gentilozzi of Rocketsports, who prepared the car, to a new Jaguar record of 225.675 mph (363.189 km/h) on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The new record beat the previous Jaguar record of 217.1 mph (349.4 km/h) in an XJ220 in 1992. Changes to the stock vehicle included low-mounted rear spoiler, increased power to 510 PS (375 kW; 503 hp) by a remapped ECU, a modified air intake and exhaust system and revised supercharger settings.

Awards

• The concept C-XF was awarded 2007 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year award.
• What Diesel? magazine awarded the XF both the Car of the Year and Best Executive Car awards in 2008.
• In 2009, What Diesel? magazine, for the second year running, awarded the XF both the Car of the Year and Best Executive Car awards.
• The XF won the What Car? Best Executive Car category again in 2009,
• The XF won the What Car? Best Executive Car award for the third time in 2010.
• For the fourth successive year, the XF won the What Car? Best Executive Car award in 2011.
• In August 2011 the XF was awarded Car of the Decade by Auto Express

• 2015- Jaguar XE

Sports

• Jaguar XK120
• fastest production car in the world in 1949

• 1948–1954 XK120
• 1954–1957 XK140
• 1957–1961 XK150
• 1961–1974 E-Type
• 1975–1996 XJ-S
• 1992–1994 XJ220
• 1997–2006 XK8/XKR (X100)
• 2006–2014 XK (X150)
• 2013–present F-Type
• 2016(announced) F-Pace

Racing and competition

• 1950s C-Type
• 1950s D-Type
• 1960s E-Type Lightweight
• 1985–1992 XJR-5 through XJR-17
• 2009 XFR Bonneville Salt Flats speed record
• 2010 Jaguar RSR XKR GT2

Concept models

• E1A — The 1950s E-Type concept vehicle
• E2 A — The second E-Type concept vehicle, which raced at LeMans and in the USA
• Pirana (1967) — Designed by Bertone
• XJ13 (1966) — Built to race at LeMans, never run
• XK 180 (1998) — Roadster concept based on the XK8
• F-Type (2000) — Roadster, similar to the XK8 but smaller
• R-Coupé (2001) — Large four-seater coupé
• Fuore XF 10 (2003)
• R-D6 (2003) — Compact four-seat coupé
• XK-RR — A high-performance version of last generation XK coupé
• XK-RS — Another performance-spec version of last generation XK convertible
• Concept Eight (2004) — Super-luxury version of the long-wheelbase model of the XJ
• C-XF (2007) — Precursor to the production model XF saloon
• C-X75 (2010) — Hybrid-electric sports car, originally intended for production but cancelled in 2012
• C-X16 (2011) — Precursor to the production model F-Type
• C-X17 (2013) — First ever Jaguar SUV concept
• Project 7 — a 542 bhp V8-powered speedster based on the F-Type and inspired by the D-Type (2013)

Engines

Jaguar has designed in-house four generations of engines.

• Historical engines:
  • Jaguar XK6 engine—inline-6
  • Jaguar V12 engine—V12
  • Jaguar AJ6 engine and AJ16 engine—inline-6
• Current engines:
  • Jaguar AJ-V8 engine—V8 (fourth generation Jaguar engine)
  • Jaguar AJ-V6 engine—V6 (a variation of a Ford engine)
  • Jaguar AJD-V6 engine—V6 (diesel engine designed by Ford)

Motorsport

See also: Jaguar Racing and Jaguar XJR Sportscars

Jaguar XJ-S won the 1984 European Touring Car Championship

The Jaguar R5 being driven by Mark Webber in 2004—the team’s last season in F1

The company has had major success in sports car racing, particularly in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Victories came in 1951 and 1953 with the C-Type, then in 1955, 1956and 1957 with the D-Type. The manager of the racing team during this period,Lofty England, later became CEO of Jaguar in the early 1970s. Although the prototype XJ13 was built in the mid-1960s it was never raced, and the famous race was then left for many years.

In 1982, a successful relationship with Tom Walkinshaw‘s TWR team commenced with the XJ-S competing in the European Touring Car Championship, which it won in 1984. In 1985, the TWR XJ-S won the Bathurst 1000 race. In the mid-1980s TWR started designing and preparing Jaguar V12-engined Group C cars for World Sports Prototype Championship races. The team started winning regularly from 1987, and won Le Mans in 1988 and 1990 with the XJR series sports cars. The Jaguar XJR-14was the last of the XJRs to win, taking the 1991 World Sportscar Championship.

In the 1999, Ford decided that Jaguar would be the corporation’s Formula Oneentry. Ford bought out the Milton Keynes-based Stewart Grand Prix team and rebranded it as Jaguar Racing for the 2000 season. The Jaguar F1 program was not a success however, achieving only two podium finishes in five seasons of competition between 2000 and 2004. At the end of 2004, with costs mounting and Ford’s profits dwindling, the F1 team was seen as an unneeded expense and was sold to Red Bull energy drinks owner Dietrich Mateschitz, and it became Red Bull Racing. Since 2004 Jaguar has not had an official presence in motorsport.

Notable Jaguar sports racers:

• Jaguar C-Type (1951–1953)
• Jaguar D-Type (1954–1957)
• Jaguar Lightweight E-Type
• Jaguar XJ13
• Jaguar XJR Sportscars
• Jaguar XJR-9 (1988)
• XJ220 (1988)
• XJR-15 (1990)

Electric vehicles

Lotus Cars joined Jaguar, MIRA Ltd and Caparo on a luxury hybrid executive sedanproject called “Limo-Green”—funded by the UK Government Technology Strategy Board. The vehicle will be a series plug-in hybrid.

Facilities

Jaguar Land Rover operations are split between several sites, most of which are used for work on both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Current plants

• Whitley Engineering Centre – Jaguar Land Rover’s headquarters and a research and development centre. The older part of this plant was acquired from Peugeotin the 1980s, and was formerly a First World War airfield, an aircraft factory and then a missile factory before being sold to the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe).
• Gaydon Engineering Centre – Jaguar Land Rover’s other research and development centre. Formerly an RAF bomber base before being acquired by British Leyland and redeveloped as a vehicle design, development and testing centre. Part of this site is also the Aston Martin headquarters, development centre and factory.
• Castle Bromwich – Jaguar Land Rover’s main Jaguar assembly plant, producing the XF, XJ, XK and F-Type ranges. Originally an aircraft factory during World War Two – Spitfires were built there, it was later acquired by Pressed Steel Fisher and became a vehicle body assembly works, it came under the auspices of Jaguar through the merger with BMC in the 1960s.
• Solihull – Jaguar Land Rover’s principal Land Rover assembly plant. This was originally an aircraft engine plant during World War Two, being used for as aRover plant after the war. The Jaguar XE will become the first Jaguar car to be assembled at the facility in late 2014, followed by the Jaguar F-Pace crossover from 2016.
• Halewood, Merseyside – Now used by Jaguar Land Rover for Land Rover production. Originally a Ford assembly plant (the Ford Escort being its most prolific model) it was given to Jaguar in 2000 for production of the X-Type. Ford still owns the transmission manufacturing operation at Halewood.
• Wolverhampton Engine Plant – a new £500 million facility located at the i54 site in Staffordshire close to Wolverhampton to build the new Ingenium family of modular diesel and petrol engines. The plant was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

Future plants

• Ryton-on-Dunsmore – Jaguar Land Rover announced that it will build a new Special Vehicle Operations development centre there in 2016. The site was previously used by Rootes for aircraft production plant for World War Two, and later became the Rootes/Chrysler/Peugeot car plant which was closed in 2006 and has since been completely demolished and the site cleared.

Past Jaguar plants

• Holbrooks Lane, Coventry – by the time Swallow Sidecar Company started using the Jaguar name, they had relocated from Blackpool to Holbrooks Lane in Coventry.
• Browns Lane – The most well-known site for Jaguar production from 1951, it was progressively run down and replaced by Castle Bromwich. Most of the plant has now been demolished and is now the home of Jaguar Land Rover’s heritage centre.
• Radford – originally a Daimler bus plant but was later a Jaguar engine and axle plant. Closed by Ford in 1997 when it moved all Jaguar engine production to itsBridgend facility.

Jaguar and the arts

Jaguar Art Project “Shadows”, Saint-Tropez 2011

For some time now Jaguar has been active in the international arts scene. In particular, the company has collaborated with the artist Stefan Szczesny, implementing major art projects. In 2011, Jaguar presented the exhibition series “Shadows”, which involved the installation of Szczesny’s shadow sculptures in Sankt-Moritz, on Sylt and in Saint-Tropez. In 2012, a large number of sculptures, ceramics and paintings were shown in Frankfurt (and mainly in Frankfurt’s Palmengarten).

As part of the collaboration with Szczesny, Jaguar has released the “Jaguar Art Collection”.

JAGUAR Cars Whitley, Coventry, England, UK at start now from Tata Motors India I

Jaguar Cars (/ˈdʒæɡjuː.ər/ jag-ew-ər) is a brand of Jaguar Land Rover, a British multinational car manufacturer headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, England, owned by the Indian company Tata Motors since 2008.

Jaguar was founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, originally making motorcycle sidecars before developing passenger cars. The name was changed to “Jaguar” after World War II to avoid the unfavourable connotations of the SS initials. A merger with the British Motor Corporation followed in 1966, the resulting enlarged company now being renamed as British Motor Holdings (BMH), which in 1968 merged with Leyland Motor Corporation and became British Leyland, itself to be nationalised in 1975.

Jaguar was de-merged from British Leyland and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1984, becoming a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index until it was acquired by Ford in 1990. Jaguar has, in recent years, manufactured cars for the British Prime Minister, the most recent delivery being an XJ in May 2010. The company also holds royal warrants from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.

Jaguar cars today are designed in Jaguar Land Rover’s engineering centres at the Whitley plant in Coventry and at their Gaydon site in Warwickshire, and are manufactured in Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich assembly plant in Birmingham with some manufacturing expected to take place in the Solihull plant.

In September 2013 Jaguar Land Rover announced plans to open a 100 million GBP (160 million USD) research and development centre in the University of Warwick, Coventry to create a new generation of vehicle technologies. The carmaker said around 1,000 academics and engineers would work there and that construction would start in 2014.

History

Birth of the cars

The original SS Jaguar marque

The 2½-litre, 68 hp 1935 SS 90

The Swallow Sidecar Company was founded in 1922 by two motorcycle enthusiasts, William Lyons and William Walmsley. leading to SS Cars Ltd. In 1935 the SS Jaguar name first appeared on a 2.5-litre saloon, sports models of which were the SS 90 and SS 100.

Cash was short after World War II, and Jaguar sold the plant and premises of Motor Panels, a pressed steel body manufacturing company they had acquired in the late 1930s when growth prospects seemed more secure. The buyer was Rubery Owen. Nevertheless, Jaguar achieved relative commercial success with their early post war models; times were also tough for other Coventry-based auto-makers and the company was able to buy from John Black‘s Standard Motor Company the plant where Standard had built the six-cylinder engines it had been supplying to Jaguar.

SS Jaguar 3½-litre, 125 hp
drophead coupé 1940

Jaguar made its name by producing a series of successful eye-catching sports cars, the Jaguar XK120 (1948–54), Jaguar XK140 (1954-7), Jaguar XK150 (1957–61), and Jaguar E-Type (1961-75), all embodying Lyons’ mantra of “value for money”. The sports cars were successful in international motorsport, a path followed in the 1950s to prove the engineering integrity of the company’s products.

Jaguar’s sales slogan for years was “Grace, Space, Pace”, a mantra epitomised by the record sales achieved by the MK VII, IX, Mks I and II saloons and later the XJ6. During the time this slogan was used, but the exact text varied.

The core of Bill Lyons’ success following WWII was the twin-cam straight six engine, conceived pre-war and realised while engineers at the Coventry plant were dividing their time between fire-watching and designing the new power plant. It had a hemispherical cross-flow cylinder head with valves inclined from the vertical; originally at 30 degrees (inlet) and 45 degrees (exhaust) and later standardised to 45 degrees for both inlet and exhaust.

XK engine in an E-Type

As fuel octane ratings were relatively low from 1948 onwards, three piston configuration were offered: domed (high octane), flat (medium octane), and dished (low octane).

The main designer, William “Bill” Heynes, assisted by Walter “Wally” Hassan, was determined to develop the Twin OHC unit. Bill Lyons agreed over misgivings from Hassan. It was risky to take what had previously been considered a racing or low-volume and cantankerous engine needing constant fettling and apply it to reasonable volume production saloon cars.

The subsequent engine (in various versions) was the mainstay powerplant of Jaguar, used in the XK 120, Mk VII Saloon, Mk I and II Saloons and XK 140 and 150. It was also employed in the E Type, itself a development from the race winning and Le Mans conquering C and D Type Sports Racing cars refined as the short-lived XKSS, a road-legal D-Type.

Few engine types have demonstrated such ubiquity and longevity: Jaguar used the Twin OHC XK Engine, as it came to be known, in the Jaguar XJ6 saloon from 1969 through 1992, and employed in a J60 variant as the power plant in such diverse vehicles as the British Army’s Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of vehicles, as well as the Fox armoured reconnaissance vehicle, the Ferret Scout Car, and the Stonefield four-wheel-drive all-terrain lorry. Properly maintained, the standard production XK Engine would achieve 200,000 miles of useful life.

Two of the proudest moments in Jaguar’s long history in motor sport involved winning the Le Mans 24 hours race, firstly in 1951 and again in 1953. Victory at the 1955 Le Mans was overshadowed by it being the occasion of the worst motorsport accident in history. Later in the hands of the Scottish racing team Ecurie Ecosse two more wins were added in 1956 and 1957.

In spite of such a performance orientation, it was always Lyons’ intention to build the business by producing world-class sporting saloons in larger numbers than the sports car market could support. Jaguar secured financial stability and a reputation for excellence with a series of elegantly styled luxury saloons that included the 3 litre and 3½ litre cars, the Mark VII, VIII, and IX, the compact Mark I and 2, and the XJ6 and XJ12. All were deemed very good values, with comfortable rides, good handling, high performance, and great style.

Combined with the trend-setting XK 120, XK 140, and XK 150 series of sports car, and nonpareil E-Type, Jaguar’s elan as a prestige motorcar manufacturer had few rivals. The company’s post-War achievements are remarkable, considering both the shortages that drove Britain (the Ministry of Supply still allocated raw materials) and the state of metallurgical development of the era.

In 1950, Jaguar agreed to lease from the Ministry of Supply the Daimler Shadow 2 factory in Browns Lane, Allesley, Coventry, which at the time was being used by The Daimler Company Limited and moved to the new site from Foleshill over the next 12 months. Jaguar purchased Daimler — not to be confused with Daimler-Benz or Daimler AG—in 1960 from BSA. From the late 1960s, Jaguar used the Daimler marque as a brand name for their most luxurious saloons.

An end to independence

Pressed Steel Company Limited made all Jaguar’s (monocoque) bodies leaving provision and installation of the mechanicals to Jaguar. In mid-1965 British Motor Corporation (BMC), the Austin–Morris combine, bought Pressed Steel. Lyons became concerned about the future of Jaguar, partly because of the threat to ongoing supplies of bodies, and partly because of his age and lack of an heir. He therefore accepted BMC’s offer to merge with Jaguar to form British Motor (Holdings) Limited. At a press conference on 11 July 1965 at the Great Eastern Hotel in London, Lyons and BMC Chairman George Harriman announced, “Jaguar Group of companies is to merge with The British Motor Corporation Ltd., as the first step towards the setting up of a joint holding company to be called British Motor (Holdings) Limited”. In due course BMC changed its name to British Motor Holdings at the end of 1966.

BMH was pushed by the Government to merge with Leyland Motor Corporation Limited, manufacturer of Leyland bus and truck, Standard–Triumph and, since 1967, Rover vehicles. The result was British Leyland Motor Corporation, a new holding company which appeared in 1968, but the combination was not a success. A combination of poor decision making by the board along with the financial difficulties of, especially, the Austin-Morris division (previously BMC) led to the Ryder Report and to effective nationalisation in 1975.

Temporary return to independence

Over the next few years it became clear that because of the low regard for many of the group’s products insufficient capital could be provided to develop and begin manufacture of new models, including Jaguars, particularly if Jaguar were to remain a part of the group.

In July 1984, Jaguar was floated off as a separate company on the stock market – one of the Thatcher government’s many privatisations– to create its own track record.

Installed as chairman in 1980, Sir John Egan is credited for Jaguar’s unprecedented prosperity immediately after privatisation. In early 1986 Egan reported he had tackled the main problems that were holding Jaguar back from selling more cars: quality control, lagging delivery schedules, poor productivity, and laid off about a third of the company’s 10,000-some employees to cut costs. Commentators have since pointed out he exploited an elderly model range on which all development costs had been written off and raised prices as well as intensifying the push to improve Jaguar’s quality but in the USA the price rises were masked by a favourable exchange rate.

Ford Motor Company era

Jaguar S-Type based on the Ford DEW98 platform

Ford made offers to Jaguar’s US and UK shareholders to buy their shares in November 1989; Jaguar’s listing on the London Stock Exchange was removed on 28 February 1990. In 1999 it became part of Ford’s new Premier Automotive Group along with Aston Martin, Volvo Cars and, from 2000, Land Rover. Under Ford’s ownership, Jaguar never made a profit.

Under Ford’s ownership Jaguar expanded its range of products with the launch of the S-Type in 1999 and X-type in 2001. Since Land Rover’s May 2000 purchase by Ford, it has been closely associated with Jaguar. In many countries they share a common sales and distribution network (including shared dealerships), and some models now share components, although the only shared production facility was Halewood Body & Assembly, for the X-Type and the Freelander 2. However operationally the two companies were effectively integrated under a common management structure within Ford’s PAG.

On 11 June 2007, Ford announced that it planned to sell Jaguar, along with Land Rover and retained the services of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and HSBC to advise it on the deal. The sale was initially expected to be announced by September 2007, but was delayed until March 2008. Private equity firms such as Alchemy Partners of the UK, TPG Capital, Ripplewood Holdings (which hired former Ford Europe executive Sir Nick Scheele to head its bid), Cerberus Capital Management and One Equity Partners (owned by JP Morgan Chase and managed by former Ford executive Jacques Nasser) of the US, Tata Motors of India and a consortium comprising Mahindra and Mahindra (an automobile manufacturer from India) and Apollo Management all initially expressed interest in purchasing the marques from the Ford Motor Company.

Before the sale was announced, Anthony Bamford, chairman of British excavator manufacturer JCB had expressed interest in purchasing the company in August 2006, but backed out upon learning that the sale would also involve Land Rover, which he did not wish to buy. On Christmas Eve of 2007, Mahindra and Mahindra backed out of the race for both brands, citing complexities in the deal.

Tata Motors era

On 1 January 2008, Ford formally declared that Tata was the preferred bidder. Tata Motors also received endorsements from the Transport And General Worker’s Union (TGWU)-Amicus combine as well as from Ford. According to the rules of the auction process, this announcement would not automatically disqualify any other potential suitor. However, Ford (as well as representatives of Unite) would now be able to enter into detailed discussions with Tata concerning issues ranging from labour concerns (job security and pensions), technology (IT systems and engine production) and intellectual property, as well as the final sale price. Ford would also open its books for a more comprehensive due diligence by Tata. On 18 March 2008, Reuters reported that American bankers Citigroup and JP Morgan would finance the deal with a USD 3 billion loan.

On 26 March 2008, Ford announced that it had agreed to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover operations to Tata Motors of India, and that they expected to complete the sale by the end of the second quarter of 2008. Included in the deal were the rights to three other British brands, Jaguar’s own Daimler, as well as two dormant brands Lanchester and Rover. On 2 June 2008, the sale to Tata was completed at a cost of £1.7 billion.

Assembly plant

The Swallow Sidecar company (SSC) was originally located in Blackpool but moved to Holbrook Lane, Coventry in 1928 when demand for the Austin Swallow became too great for the factory’s capacity. In 1951, having outgrown the original Coventry site they moved to Browns Lane, which had been a wartime “shadow factory” run by The Daimler Company. Today, Jaguars are assembled at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham. The historic Browns Lane plant ceased trim and final operations in 2005, the X350 XJ having already moved to Castle Bromwich two years prior, leaving the XK and S-Type production to Castle Bromwich

In 2000, Ford turned its Halewood plant over to Jaguar following the discontinuation of its long running Escort that year for Jaguar’s new X-Type model. It was later joined by the second-generation Land Rover Freelander 2, from 2007. Jaguars ceased being produced at Halewood in 2009 following the discontinuation of the X-Type; Halewood now becoming a Land Rover-only plant.

A reduced Browns Lane site operates today, producing veneers for Jaguar Land Rover and others, as well as some engineering facilities. A new assembly plant was opened at Pune, India in April 2011.

Jaguar will begin producing the Jaguar XE – the replacement for the X-Type – at Land Rover’s Solihull plant in 2015, the first non-4×4 passenger car to be produced at the plant since the Rover SD1 in the late 1970s.

Current car models

XE

The XE will be the first compact executive Jaguar since the 2009 model year X-Type and will be the first of several Jaguar models to be built using Jaguar’s new modular aluminium architecture, moving the company away from the Ford derived platforms that were used in the past for the X-Type and XF. The use of Jaguar’s own platform will allow the XE to feature either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations, and it will become the first car in its segment with an aluminium monocoque structure. Originally announced at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show with sales scheduled for 2015.

F-Type

Jaguar F-Type

The F-Type convertible was launched at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, following its display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 2012, and is billed as a successor to the legendary E-Type. In fact, the Series III E-Type already had a successor, in the form of the XJS, which was in turn replaced by the XK8 and XKR. The F-Type nevertheless returns to the 2-seat plan that was lost with the introduction of the Series III E-Type, which was available only in a 2+2-seat configuration. It was developed following the positive reaction to Jaguar’s C-X16 concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Sales will begin in 2013 with three engine choices; two variants of the AJ126 V6 petrol engine and the AJ133 V8 petrol engine.

XF

Jaguar XF

The Jaguar XF is a mid-size executive car introduced in 2008 to replace the S-Type. In January 2008, the XF was awarded the What Car? ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Executive Car of the Year’ awards. The XF was also awarded Car of the Year 2008 from What Diesel? magazine. Engines available in the XF are 2.2-litre I4 and 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines, or 3.0 litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines. The 5.0 Litre engine is available in supercharged form in the XFR. From 2011, the 2.2-litre diesel engine from the Land Rover Freelander was added to the range as part of a facelift.

XJ

Jaguar XJ

The Jaguar XJ is a full-size luxury saloon. The model has been in production since 1968 with the first generation being the last Jaguar car to have creative input by the company’s founder, Sir William Lyons. In early 2003, the third generation XJ arrived in showrooms and while the car’s exterior and interior styling were traditional in appearance, the car was completely re-engineered. Its styling attracted much criticism from many motoring journalists who claimed that the car looked old-fashioned and barely more modern than its predecessor, many even citing that the ‘Lyons line’ had been lost in the translation from Mark 2 into Mark 3 XJ, even though beneath the shell lay a highly advanced aluminium construction that put the XJ very near the top of its class.

Jaguar responded to the criticism with the introduction of the fourth generation XJ, launched in 2009. Its exterior styling is a departure from previous XJs, with a more youthful, contemporary stance, following the design shift that came into effect previously with the company’s XF and XK models.

The 5-litre V8 engine in the XJ Supersport can accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 4.7 seconds, and has a UK CO₂ emission rating of 289 g/km. To cater to the limousine market, all XJ models are offered with a longer wheelbase (LWB) as an option, which increases the rear legroom.

R models

Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar began producing R models in 1995 with the introduction of the first XJR. Powered by a supercharged 6-cylinder engine, the car produced approximately 322 horsepower. With the revamped line of engines, the powerplant would be based on an eight-cylinder engine with supercharger from 1997 to present. The 1997–2003 XJR produced 370 horsepower (276 kW) and 385 pound-feet (522 N·m) of torque, taking the car to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5 seconds. The new aluminium bodyshell from 2004 to 2009 and increased power to 400 hp (298 kW) and enhanced computer systems decreased the time to 60 mph (97 km/h) to 4.8 seconds. Starting after year 2000, XJRs were equipped with Jaguar’s CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension), which helped firm up the ride in sporty driving without compromising comfort during day-to-day use.

The first XKR was introduced in 1997 and kept with the same power increases as the XJR except for after 2006 the power in the XKR was boosted to 420 hp (313 kW). The S-Type R had a short production run from 2003 to 2008, and came equipped with the same 400 horsepower (298 kW) supercharged V8 as the other R models. It was replaced by the XFR, featuring a 5.0 L supercharged V8 producing 510 hp (380 kW).

• Jaguar XFR  510 hp (380 kW) mid-size saloon
• Jaguar XKR  510 hp (380 kW) coupé and cabriolet
• Jaguar XFR-S  550 hp (410 kW) mid-size saloon
• Jaguar XKR-S  550 hp (410 kW) coupé and cabriolet
• Jaguar XJR
• Jaguar F-Type R  550 hp (410 kW) coupé

Future models

After years of speculation, Jaguar designer Ian Callum confirmed in early 2012 that there would not be a Jaguar SUV, but suggested that he may be designing a crossover for Jaguar. In 2013 Jaguar announced the C-X17 concept, and in January 2015 announced the Jaguar F-Pace, due for a 2015 debut prior to going on sale in 2016. It will incorporate many cues from the C-X17 concept as the first-ever Jaguar crossover.

Previous models

Recent

2002–2003 Jaguar X-Type saloon

The Jaguar S-Type, first appeared in 1999 and stopped production in 2008. It has now been replaced by the Jaguar XF. Early S-Types suffered from reliability problems but those were mostly resolved by the 2004 model year.

The Jaguar X-Type was a compact executive car launched in 2001, while the company was under Ford ownership. Sharing its platform with a 2000 Ford Mondeo, the X-Type ceased production in 2009.

The Jaguar XK is a luxury grand tourer introduced in 2006, where it replaced the XK8. The XK introduced an aluminium monocoque bodyshell, and was available both as a two-door coupé and two-door cabriolet/convertible. Production ceased in 2014.

 Historic

Mark V

The Jaguar company started production with the pre-war 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5-litre models, which used engines designed by the Standard Motor Company. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine was still supplied by Standard but the two larger six-cylinder ones were made in house. These cars have become known unofficially as Mark IVs.

The first post-war model was the 1948 Mark V available with either 2.5- or 3.5-litre engines, and it had a more streamlined appearance than pre-war models, but more important was the change to independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes.

The XK120 was a breakthrough both for Jaguar and post-WWII sports cars

The big breakthrough was the launch in 1948 of the XK120 sports car, powered with the new XK twin overhead camshaft (DOHC) 3.5-litre hemi-head six-cylinder engine designed by William Heynes, Walter Hassan and Claude Baily. This engine had been designed at night during the war when they would be on fire watch in the factory. After several attempts a final design was achieved. That is until owner William Lyons said “make it quieter”. The car had originally been intended as a short production model of about 200 vehicles as a test bed for the new engine until its intended home, the new Mark VII saloon, was ready. The XK120’s exceptional reception was followed in 1954 by the introduction of the derivative XK140, and a much revised XK150.

1963 open two-seat E-Type

Jaguar launched the E-Type in 1961.

Along with sports cars, Jaguar maintained a strong place in the upscale saloon car market. Introducing the large Mark VII in 1951, a car especially conceived for the American market, Jaguar was overwhelmed with orders. The Mark VII and its successors gathered rave reviews from magazines such as Road & Track and The Motor. In 1956 a Mark VII won the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally.

The late 1950s Mark 2 became one of the most recognisable Jaguar models ever produced

In 1955, the “2.4-Litre” saloon (subsequently known as the 2.4 Mark 1) was the first monocoque (unitary) car from Jaguar. Its 2.4-litre short-stroke version of the XK engine provided 100 mph (160 km/h) performance. In 1957, the 3.4-litre version with disk brakes, wire wheels and other options was introduced, with a top speed of 120 mph (190 km/h). In 1959, an extensively revised version of the car with wider windows and 2.4, 3.4, and 3.8-litre engine options became the Mark 2. The 3.8 Mark 2 was popular with British police forces for its small size and 125 mph (201 km/h) performance.

Jaguar’s slogan motto of “Grace, Space, Pace” was epitomised in the 1958 Mark IX

The Mark VIII of 1956 and Mark IX of 1958 were essentially updates of the Mark VII, but the Mark X of 1961 was a completely new design of large saloon with all round independent suspension and unitary construction.

The independent rear suspension from the Mark X was incorporated in the 1963 S-Type, which closely resembled the Mark 2, and in 1967 the Mark 2 name was dropped when the small saloon became the 240/340 range. The 420 of 1966, also sold as the Daimler Sovereign, put a new front onto the S-type, although both cars continued in parallel until the S-Type was dropped in 1968. The Mark X became the 420G in 1966.

The XJ6, regarded by many as the definitive Jaguar saloon

Of the more recent saloons, the most significant is the XJ (1968–1992). From 1968 on, the Series I XJ saw minor changes, first in 1973 (to Series II), 1979 (Series III), a complete redesign for 1986/1987 in XJ40, further modifications in 1995 (X300), in 1997 with V8-power (X308), and a major advance in 2003 with an industry-first aluminium monocoque-chassis (X350). The most luxurious XJ models carried either the Vanden Plas (US) or Daimler (rest of world) nameplates. In 1972, the 12-cylinder engine was introduced in the XJ, while simultaneously being offered in the E Type.

The XJ220—the world’s fastest production car in 1992

1992 saw the introduction of the mid-engined, twin-turbo XJ220, powered by a 542 bhp (404 kW; 550 PS) V6 engine. The XJ220 was confirmed the fastest production car in the world at the time after Martin Brundle recorded a speed of 217 mph (349 km/h) on the Nardo track in Italy.

Over the years many Jaguar models have sported the famous chrome plated Leaping Jaguar, traditionally forming part of the radiator cap. Known as “The Leaper” this iconic mascot has been the subject of controversy in recent times when banned for safety reasons from cars supplied to Europe whilst it continued to be fitted on cars destined for the United States, Middle East and Far East. It has now been dropped from all the latest Jaguar models.

Complete line-up

Large executive

• 1935–1955 2½ Litre saloon

1935-1949 Jaguar Mark IV

SS Jaguar Jaguar 1½—2½—3½ Litre
Jaguar 2½ litre sports saloon 1947
Overview
Manufacturer	SS Cars Jaguar Cars
Production	1935–1949
Assembly	Coventry, England
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	SS Cars Ltd SS1
Successor	Jaguar Mark V

The Jaguar Mark IV (pronounced mark four) is an automobile built by Jaguar Cars from 1945 to 1949. It was a relaunch of the SS Jaguar 1½ litre, 2½ litre and 3½ litre models produced by SS Cars from 1935 to 1940.

Before the Second World War the name Jaguar was the model name given to the complete range of cars built by SS Cars Ltd. The saloons were titled SS Jaguar 1½ litre, 2½ litre or 3½ litre. The two-seater sports car was titled the SS Jaguar 100 2½ litre or 3½ litre.

After the war the company name was changed to Jaguar Cars Ltd. Although the post-war saloons were officially the Jaguar 1½ litre, 2½ litre etc., the term “Mark IV” was sometimes applied retrospectively by the trade to differentiate them from the officially named Mark V.

All the cars were built on a separate chassis frame with suspension by semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear.

SS Jaguar and Jaguar 1½ Litre

SS Jaguar 1½ Litre Jaguar 1½ Litre
SS Jaguar sports saloon 1937
Overview
Production	1935–1949 10,980 made
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door drophead coupé
Powertrain
Engine	1,608 cc (1.6 l) I4 1,776 cc (1.8 l) I4 Standard
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.5 in (2,860 mm)
Length	173 in (4,390 mm)
Width	65.5 in (1,660 mm)
Height	60 in (1,520 mm)

The smallest model of the range originally featured a 1608 cc side valve Standard engine but from 1938 this was replaced by a 1776 cc overhead-valve unit still from Standard who also supplied the four-speedmanual transmission.

Pre-war the car was available as a saloon or drophead coupé but post war only the closed model was made. Up to 1938 body construction on all the models was by the traditional steel on wood method but in that year it changed to all steel. Performance was not a strong point but 70 mph (113 km/h) was possible: the car featured the same cabin dimensions and well-appointed interior as its longer-engined brothers.

Despite its lack of out-and-out performance, a report of the time, comparing the 4-cylinder 1½-litre with its 6-cylinder siblings, opined that the smallest-engined version of the car was “as is often the case … the sweetest running car” with a “big car cruising gait in the sixties”.

Mechanically operated brakes using a Girling system were fitted.

SS Jaguar sports saloon 1937

1935-1948 SS Jaguar and Jaguar 2½ Litre

SS Jaguar 2½ Litre Jaguar 2½ Litre
SS Jaguar sports saloon 1936
Overview
Production	1935–1948 6281 made
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door drophead coupé
Powertrain
Engine	2,664 cc (2.7 l) I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1935–1937: 119 in (3,020 mm) 1938–1948: 120 in (3,050 mm)
Length	186 in (4,720 mm)
Width	66 in (1,680 mm)

Again the engine was sourced from Standard but had the cylinder head reworked by SS to give 105 bhp. Unlike the 1½ Litre there were some drophead models made post-war.

The chassis was originally of 119 in (3,020 mm) but grew by an inch (25 mm) in 1938 to 120 in (3,050 mm). The extra length over the 1½ Litre was used for the six-cylinder engine and the passenger accommodation was the same size.

1937-1948 SS Jaguar and Jaguar 3½ Litre

SS Jaguar 3½ Litre Jaguar 3½ Litre
Jaguar sports saloon 1947
Overview
Production	1937–1948 3162 made
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door drophead coupé
Powertrain
Engine	3,485 cc (3.5 l) I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,050 mm)
Length	186 in (4,720 mm)
Width	66 in (1,680 mm)

The 3½ Litre, introduced in 1938, was essentially the same body and chassis as the 2½ Litre but the larger 125 bhp engine gave better performance but at the expense of economy. The rear axle ratio was 4.25:1 as opposed to the 4.5:1 on the 2½ Litre.

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  SS Jaguar
  sports saloon

• 

  SS Jaguar
  drophead coupé 1940

• 

  Jaguar
  sports saloon 1948

• 

  Jaguar
  drophead coupé 1948

• 1937–1948 3½ Litre saloon
• 1948–1951 Mark V

1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V

Jaguar Mark V
3½-litre saloon first registered November 1950
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1948–1951 10,466
Body and chassis
Body style	saloon, drophead coupé
Powertrain
Engine	2664 cc or 3485 cc straight-6pushrod ohv
Transmission	four-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	187.5 in (4,762 mm)
Width	69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Height	62.5 in (1,588 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar 2½ Litre & 3½ Litre saloons
Successor	Jaguar Mark VII

Jaguar Mark V drophead coupé

The Jaguar Mark V (pronounced mark five) is an automobile which was built by Jaguar Cars Ltd from 1948 to 1951.

The Mark V was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show at the same time as the XK120, with which it shared a stand. However, the Mark V vastly outsold the XK120 by roughly 5,000 cars per year as compared to 2,000 cars per year for the XK120. While the XK120 had a new overhead-camshaft XK engine, the Mark V retained the 1936 driveline including the “Jaguar” overhead-valve pushrod straight-6 2½L and 3½L units for which the company was renamed after the war. No 1½L version was offered. Claimed power output in this application was 104 bhp (78 kW) for the 2664 cc Mark V and 126 bhp (94 kW) for its more popular 3486 cc sibling. The chassis was new with independent front suspension by double wishbones and torsion bar, an arrangement that would be used by Jaguar for many future vehicles. It also had hydraulic brakes, which Jaguar had been slow to adopt compared to other manufacturers, and an all pressed steel body.

The styling of the car followed prewar SS-Jaguar lines with upright chrome grille and the leaping Jaguar radiator cap mascot became available as an option. There is a distinct hint of the recently modernised Bentley look in the style of the front grill.

The wheels were 16-inch (410 mm) steel-disc type, significantly smaller than the 18-inch (460 mm) ones on the MK IV. From the side, a distinctive styling touch was a “tuck in” curve at the base of the rear window following the curved profile of the side glass. Rear-wheel spats (fender skirts) were standard. There was also a drophead coupé version which is now highly sought after.

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  Inside a boot lid

A 3½ litre car tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 had a top speed of 90.7 mph (146.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.4 seconds. Jaguar’s inimitable test engineer Norman Dewis used a Mark V regularly. Recently asked about the top speed he saw in his car, he commented that he verified 90 mph once, but the thrill of the moment did not encourage repeating the feat. A fuel consumption of 18.2 miles per imperial gallon (15.5 L/100 km; 15.2 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1263 including taxes.

Production figures were:

• 2½ litre saloon 1647
• 2½ litre coupé 28
• 3½ litre saloon 7814
• 3½ litre coupé 977

In 1951 the Mark V was replaced by the Jaguar Mark VII. The Mark VII had the same 10-foot (3.0 m)wheelbase as the Mark V, but a longer and more streamlined-looking body, which continued in production with little outward change through the Jaguars Mark VIII and Mark IX until 1961.

The Mark V name

The origin of the Mark V name is somewhat mysterious as there had been no Mk I to IV Jaguars and the MK IV designation was only given to its predecessor after the launch of the Mk V. It was perhaps a nod to Bentley who built 11 advanced Mark V saloons in 1939, resumed with the Mark VI in 1946-52 and dropped the “Mark” naming thereafter while Jaguars continued with the Mark VII to X.

• 1951–1957 Mark VII (& VIIM)

1951-1957 Jaguar Mark VII

Jaguar Mark VII Jaguar Mark VII M
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1950–1956 30,969 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Large luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	3442 cc I6 , 160 bhp (119.3 kW) (1951–1954) 3442 cc I6, 190 bhp (141.7 kW) (1954–1956)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	196.5 in (4,991 mm)
Width	73 in (1,854 mm)
Curb weight	3,696 lb (1,676 kg) MarK VII 3,724 lb (1,689 kg) MarK VII M
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark V
Successor	Jaguar Mark VIII

The Jaguar Mark VII is a large four-door luxury car produced by Jaguar Cars of Coventry from 1951 to 1956. Launched at the 1950 London Motor Show as the successor to the Jaguar Mark V, it was called the Mark VII because there was already a Bentley Mark VI on the market. A version of the Jaguar Mark V with the XK engine had been designated as the Mark VI, but it is thought that only two were built. The Mark VII achieved several successes in racing and rallying.

Jaguar Mark VII 1950–1954

The Mark VII chassis came from the Jaguar Mark V and the wheelbase remained the same at (10 feet (3,048.0 mm)). The new model’s body looked more streamlined, with integrated headlights and mudguards, a two-piece windscreen, and longer rear overhang. As on the Mark V, the rear wheels were partially covered by removable spats.

Whereas the Mark V had a prewar engine originally developed by the Standard Motor Company, the Mark VII was powered by the newly developed XK engine. First seen in production form in the 1948 XK120, the 3442 cc straight-six provided 160 bhp (119.3 kW), the same as in the XK120, and the saloon‘s claimed top speed was over 100 mph (160 km/h).

When the car was being developed Jaguar thought it would find most of its customers overseas, mainly because UK car tax at that time penalised buyers of larger-engined cars. However it went into production just as Britain’s postwar economic austerity began to ease, and in 1951 the car’s enthusiastic reception in both the British and American markets prompted Jaguar to relocate production to larger premises, at the Browns Lane plant, which had been built for wartime production as a shadow factory and was now available for immediate use.

The published performance figures for the Mark VII were based on the standard 8:1 compression ratio, but as this was unsuitable for the UK market’s low-octane Pool petrol a 7:1 engine was optional. British motoring magazines tested the car’s performance with the higher compression ratio, using the Ostend to Brussels autoroute in Belgium, where 80 octane fuel was available. A Mark VII tested by The Motor in 1952 had a top speed of 101 mph (163 km/h), accelerated from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.7 seconds and returned 17.6 miles per imperial gallon (16.1 L/100 km; 14.7 mpg_-US). The test car cost £1693 including taxes.

By the time the Mark VII was upgraded to M specification in 1954, 20,908 had been produced.

Jaguar Mark VII M 1954–1956

The Mark VII M was launched at the London Motor Show in October 1954. Although the engine continued with the same capacity and 8:1 compression ratio, it was uprated to 190 bhp (141.7 kW), giving the car a claimed top speed of 104 mph (167 km/h).

The four-speed manual gearbox was standard, while the Borg Warner automatic, introduced in 1953 and hitherto available only on exported Mark VIIs, now became optional for British buyers.

Jaguar Mk VII M

Distinguishing the Mark VII M from its predecessor, circular grilles over the horns were installed below the headlights in place of the former integrated auxiliary lamps, which were moved slightly further apart and mounted on the bumper. Both bumpers now wrapped further around the sides of the car.

In 1956, with the advent of the Suez Crisis Britain anticipated fuel rationing, and bubble cars appeared on the streets. Jaguar switched focus to their smaller saloons (the Mark I 2.4 had been introduced in 1955), and neither the Mark VII M nor any of its increasingly powerful but fuel-thirsty successors would match the production volumes of the original Jaguar Mark VII. Nevertheless, before it was superseded by the Mark VIII, the Mark VII M achieved 10,061 sales during its two-year production run.

Racing and rallying

Both variants of the Mark VII competed in saloon car races driven by Stirling Moss and others, and an M version won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1956.

Entered by the factory, they won the Daily Express International Trophy Production Touring Car race at Silverstone four years running, twice taking the top three places. Moss was the winning driver in 1952 and 1953; Ian Appleyard in 1954 with Tony Rolt and Stirling Moss 2nd and 3rd; Mike Hawthorn won in 1955, from his teammates Jimmy Stewart and Desmond Titterington in 2nd and 3rd; and Ivor Bueb in 1956, with the French journalist and racing driver Paul Frère 4th.

In 1954 Jaguar constructed a lightweight Mark VII M, road-registered KRW 621, using magnesium body panels, D-type engine, Dunlop disc brakes and modified suspension. Although built as a competition car, it never participated in contemporary events.

The winner of the 1956 Monte Carlo Rally was a Mark VII M driven by Ronnie Adams, Frank Biggar, Derek Johnstone.

• 1957–1959 Mark VIII

1956-1958 Jaguar Mark VIII

Jaguar Mark VIII
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1956–1958 6,227 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Large luxury car
Body style	4-door sedan
Powertrain
Engine	3442 cc, 210 bhp (156.6 kW)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	196.5 in (4,991 mm)
Width	73 in (1,854 mm)
Curb weight	3,752 lb (1,702 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark VII
Successor	Jaguar Mark IX

The Jaguar Mark VIII is a large four-door sports sedan introduced by the Jaguar company of Coventry at the 1956 London Motor Show.

The body

The car shared its 10-foot (3.05 m) wheelbase with its predecessor, the Jaguar Mark VII, which outwardly it closely resembled. However, the interior fittings were more luxurious than those of the Mark VII. Distinguishing visually between the models is facilitated by changes to the front grille, the driving or fog lamps being moved from the front panel to the horizontal panel between bumper & front panel, larger rear lamps and most obviously a curved chrome trim strip below the waistline which allowed the factory to offer a variety of two-tone paint schemes. In addition the new car had rear spats that were cut back to display more of the rear wheels and featured a one-piece slightly curved windscreen, where the Mark VII had incorporated a two-piece front screen of flat glass.

Engine and running gear

The Mark VIII inherited from its predecessor the 3442 cc straight-six engine which it shared with the Jaguar XK140 that appeared two years earlier. In the Mark VIII, a modified cylinder head known as the ‘B’ type was used. Although introduced subsequent to the ‘C’ type competition head (as used on the C-Type racer and available as an option on the XK 140) this naming made more sense than might at first appear. The ‘B’ type head used the larger valves of the ‘C’ type head, with the smaller intake port diameter of original XK cylinder head that had been introduced on the MK VII, which was now referred to as the ‘A’ type. The combination of larger valves with the original intake port diameters allowed faster gas flow at low and medium speeds to promote better fuel-air mixing. As the MK VIII was not likely to be revved as high as the C-Type racers and the XK 140’s equipped with the ‘C’ type head the reduction in flow at high rpm’s was not seen to be a disadvantage.

Engines equipped with the ‘A’ type head were advertised at 160 bhp (119.3 kW); the MK VIII with the ‘B’ type head were advertised at 190 bhp (141.7 kW), and engines with the ‘C’ type head at 210 bhp (156.6 kW):. The ‘B’ type head was painted a light blue to identify it.

The modified head supported by twin SU carburetors, and employing a manual four-speed transmission, advertised engine output was now increased to 190 bhp (141.7 kW): the claimed top speed in excess of 106 mph (170 km/h) was considered impressive, given the car’s bulk. Transmission options included overdrive or a Borg Warner three-speed automatic box.

Commercial

After a two year production run of 6,227 units the Mark VIII was replaced by the Jaguar Mark IX.

In January 1958, a Mk VIII Jaguar, driven by M. Dunning and J. M. Cash, won first place in the Automatic Transmission class in the Australian Mobilgas Economy Run, which was an endurance rally of 16,250km starting in Melbourne and circumnavigating the Australian continent.

• 1959–1961 Mark IX

1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX

Jaguar Mark IX
3.8 litre first registered April 1960
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1959–1961 10,009 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Large luxury car
Powertrain
Engine	3781 cc, 220 hp (164 kW) I-6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	196.5 in (4,990 mm)
Width	75 in (1,900 mm)
Height	63 in (1,600 mm)
Curb weight	4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark VIII
Successor	Jaguar Mark X

The Jaguar Mark IX (pronounced mark nine) is a large luxury saloon car produced by Jaguar Cars between 1959 and 1961. It replaced the previous Mark VIII. The early versions were identical in exterior appearance to the Mark VIII except for the addition of a chrome “Mk IX” badge to the boot lid. Later versions had a larger tail-lamp assembly with the addition of an amber section for traffic indication, visually similar to the tail-lights of the smaller Mark 2 Jaguar sedan. It was replaced by the lower and more contemporary-styled Mark X in 1961.

The Mark IX was popular as a ceremonial car for state dignitaries. When Charles de Gaulle paid a state visit to Canada in 1960, the official cars for the motorcade were Mark IX Jaguars, rather than Cadillacs or Lincolns. The English Queen Mother had a Mark VII Jaguar which was progressively upgraded to be externally identical to the later Mark IX. The Nigerian government bought forty Mark IXs, painted in the Nigerian state colours of green and white. The large Jaguars of the 1950s were sufficiently popular in western Africa that “Jagwah” survives in as a colloquialism for “smart man-about-town”.

In the luxury car market, the Jaguar Mk IX was very competitively priced, selling for ₤1995 with manual gearbox, ₤2063 with overdrive, and ₤2163 with automatic transmission, which was less than half the price of similar competitors.

Features

Standard transmission was a four-speed manual system: options included overdrive, but most cars were built with a Borg Warner three-speed automatic box.

Internally, an enlarged-bore 3.8 L (231 in³), 220 bhp (164.1 kW) DOHC straight-6 replaced the previous 3.4 L (210 in³) 190 bhp (141.7 kW) unit. The B-type head of the Mark VIII was retained, but with a chamfer at the bottom of the combustion chamber to accommodate the enlarged bore. Twin HD6 1.75″ SU carburettors were fitted. A smaller electromagnetically controlled auxiliary carburettor was placed between the main pair of carburettors to act as a choke. It often proved troublesome in operation and many were converted to manual switching . Standard compression ratio was 8:1, but a higher performance 9:1 compression ratio was also available, as was a 7:1 compression ratio for export markets, such as Africa, where quality of petrol was sometimes a problem.

The Mark IX was the first production Jaguar to offer four-wheel servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes and recirculating ball power steering, which were now standard equipment. The brake system included a vacuum reserve tank to preserve braking in the event that the engine stalled. On models with automatic transmission, the brakes were equipped with an electromagnetic valve that maintained brake pressure at rest when the brake pedal was released to prevent the car from rolling back on an incline, hence its name “Hill Holder”. The Hill Holder was often troublesome (failing to release the brakes when the accelerator was depressed) and was disconnected on most cars without ill effect.

The power steering was driven by a Hobourn-Eaton pump, operating at 600-650 psi. It was attached to the back of the generator and allowed the steering to be geared up to 3.5 turns lock-to-lock as against the 4.5 turns for the Mark VII and VIII models.

Unlike the Mark VII and VIII predecessors, the Borg Warner DG automatic gearbox started in first gear and had a dash-mounted switch to allow second gear to be held indefinitely. Once in third gear, a series of clutches engaged to allow direct drive rather than through the torque converter.

The torsion bar independent front suspension and leaf-sprung rear live axle were retained from the Mk VIII, which, in turn, was first used in the 1949 Mark V.

Final drive was 4.27:1, (4.55:1 when overdrive was fitted).

The sunshine roof became a standard fitting for the UK market. The interior was in the same luxurious mode with extensive use of leather, walnut wood trim and deep pile carpet. A range of single and duo-tone paint schemes was offered.

Performance

A car with automatic transmission tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1958 had a top speed of 114.4 mph (184.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 11.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 15.2 miles per imperial gallon (18.6 L/100 km; 12.7 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £2162 including taxes of £721. In addition, the Mark IX attained 30 mph in 4 seconds, and 100 mph in 32.5 secs. It covered the standing mile in less than 31 secs.

Classic racing circuit

The Mark IX’s power and good brakes for a vehicle of the era, together with its undoubtedly impressive aesthethic appearance makes it quite a common choice for classic car circuit racing, such as at the Goodwood Circuit‘s Revival meetings.

• 1961–1966 Mark X

1961-1970 Jaguar Mark X

Jaguar Mark X & 420G
Jaguar Mark X
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1961–1970 13,382 3.8 Litre 5,137 4.2 Litre 5,763 420G
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Daimler DS420
Powertrain
Engine	3781 cc XK I6 to 1964 4235 cc XK I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,000 mm)
Length	202 in (5,100 mm)
Width	76.3 in(1,938 mm)
Height	54.5 in (1,380 mm)
Curb weight	4,200 lb (1,900 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark IX
Successor	Jaguar XJ6

The Jaguar Mark X (Mark ten) was the top-of-the-range saloon car built by the British manufacturer Jaguar, primarily aimed at the United States market. The Mark X succeeded the Mark IX as the company’s largest saloon model.

Body

1963 Jaguar Mark X

The unitary construction body-shell was codenamed “Zenith” during development and this floor pan continued in production long after Mark X production ended, as the DS 420 Limousine. The new style, four headlamps set into rounded front fenders with a vaned grill, first appeared on the Mark X. The interior was the last Jaguar with abundant standard woodwork, including the dashboard, escutcheons, window trim, a pair of large bookmatched fold out rear picnic tables, and a front seat pull-out picnic table stowed beneath the instrument cluster. Later, air conditioning and a sound-proof glass division between the front and rear seats were added as options.

From its introduction until the arrival in 1992 of the low-slung XJ220, the Mark X stood as one of the widest production Jaguars ever built. Asked in 1972 if he thought the Mark X had grown rather too large, Jaguar chairman William Lyons, agreed that it “definitely” had: he opined that the then recently introduced and notably more compact Jaguar XJ6 was, by contrast an “ideal size”.

The substantial doors required helical torsion springs inside the door pillars to enable them to be opened from the inside with an acceptably low level of effort.

Mechanical

The Mark X was the first Jaguar saloon to feature independent rear suspension. It differed from earlier large Jaguar saloons in having 14″ wheels instead of the more common 15″. It used a wider-track version of Jaguar’s IRS unit first seen on the E Type, which was subsequently used on Jaguar vehicles until XJ-S production ended in 1996. Front suspension used double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers. The car initially featured a 3781 cc version of Jaguar’s XK in-line six-cylinder engine. A 9:1 compression ratio was standard, but an alternative 8:1 compression ratio was available as an option. For the London Motor Show in October 1964 the enlarged 4,235 cc unit took over, although the 3.8-litre unit could still be specified until October 1965. Triple SU carburettors were fitted, fed from an AC Delco air filter mounted ahead of the right hand front wheel.

Transmission options were manual, manual with overdrive, automatic or automatic with overdrive. The arrival of the 4.2-litre power unit coincided with the introduction of a newly developed all-synchromesh four-speed gear box replacing the venerable box inherited by the 3.8-litre Mark X from the Mark IX which had featured synchromesh only on the top three ratios. Many domestic market cars and almost all cars destined for the important North American markets left the factory with a Borg Warner automatic gear-box. The 4.2-litre engine’s introduction was also marked by a transmission upgrade for buyers of the automatic cars, who saw the Borg Warner transmission system switched from a DG to a Typ-8 unit. The power train was completed by a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential.

Stopping power for this heavy car came from power-assisted disc-brakes on all four wheels.

Power-assisted steering was standard, the later 4.2 cars receiving Marles Varamatic Bendix (Adwest) variable ratio steering boxes, designed by an Australian, Arthur Bishop.

420G

Jaguar 420G

For the London Motor Show in October 1966 the Mark X was renamed the Jaguar 420G (not to be confused with the smaller Jaguar 420). The 420G was distinct from the Mark X only with the addition of a vertical central bar splitting the grille in two, side indicator repeaters on the front wings, and a chrome strip along the wing and door panels (two tone paint schemes were also available with the chrome strip omitted). Interior changes included perforations in the central sections of the leather seats, padded dashboard sections for safety, moving the clock to a central position, and the introduction of air conditioning as an option.

A “limousine” version was available, on the standard wheelbase, with a dividing glass screen partition and front bench seat replacing the separate seats of standard cars. The wheelbase was extended by 21″ with the mechanical underpinnings of the car being subtly re-bodied for the 1968 Daimler DS420. This car was built until 1992 and used by many countries in official capacities, and frequently by funeral homes; either with a saloon body for carrying mourners or a hearse body.

Despite running for the same length of time as the Mark X (5 years) the 420G sold in less than a third of the numbers: this lack of popularity and the increasing production of the XJ6 resulted in the 420G being run out of production in 1970.

• 1966–1970 420G
• 1968–1987 XJ6 Series 1, 2 & 3

1968-on Jaguar XJ

Jaguar XJ XJ6, XJ8, XJ12, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8, Supersport
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1968–present
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Layout	FR layout

The Jaguar XJ is the name of a series of flagship, full-size, luxury cars sold by the British automobile brand, Jaguar Cars. The XJ line has had a long history, with the first model released in 1968. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had the input of Sir William Lyons, the company’s founder, and the model has been featured in countless media and high profile appearances. The current Jaguar XJ was launched in 2009. It is one of the official cars of the royal families and UK Prime Minister.

Series 1, 2 and 3 (1968–92)

Series 1 (1968–73)

XJ Series I
Overview
Also called	XJ6, XJ12 Daimler Sovereign Daimler Double-Six
Production	1968–1973 82,126 produced
Assembly	Coventry, England Cape Town, South Africa Nelson, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L XK I6 4.2 L XK I6 5.3 L Jaguar V12 (from 1972)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.75 in (2,762 mm)
Length	189.5 in (4,813 mm)
Width	69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height	52.75 in (1,340 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar 240, Jaguar 340 & Daimler 250 Jaguar S-Type Jaguar 420 and Daimler Sovereign Jaguar 420G

The XJ6, using 2.8 litre (2,790 cc or 170 cu in) and 4.2 litre (4,235 cc or 258.4 cu in) straight-six cylinder versions of Jaguar’s renowned XK engine, replaced most of Jaguar’s saloons – which, in the 1960s, had expanded to four separate ranges. Apart from the engines, other main assemblies carried over from previous models were the widest version of Jaguar’s IRS unit from the Mark X and the subframe mounted independent front suspension first seen in the 1955 2.4 litre with revisions to the geometry.

An upmarket version was marketed under the Daimler brand and called the Daimler Sovereign, continuing the name from the Daimler version of the Jaguar 420.

The car was introduced in September 1968. Power-assisted steering and leather upholstery were standard on the 2.8 L De Luxe and 4.2 L models and air conditioning was offered as an optional extra on the 4.2 L. Daimler versions were launched in October 1969, in a series of television advertisements featuring Sir William. In these spots, he referred to the car as “the finest Jaguar ever”. An unusual feature, inherited from the Mark X and S-Type saloons, was the provision of twin fuel tanks, positioned on each side of the boot / trunk, and filled using two separately lockable filler caps: one on the top of each wing above the rear wheel arches. Preliminary reviews of the car were favourable, noting the effective brakes and good ride quality.

In March 1970 it was announced that the Borg-Warner Model 8 automatic transmission, which the XJ6 had featured since 1968, would be replaced on the 4.2 litre-engined XJ6 with a Borg-Warner Model 12 unit. The new transmission now had three different forward positions accessed via the selector lever, which effectively enabled performance oriented drivers to hold lower ratios at higher revs to achieve better acceleration. “Greatly improved shift quality” was also claimed for the new system.

In 1972 the option of a long-wheelbase version, providing a 4″ increase in leg room for passengers in the back, became available.

The XJ12 version was announced in July 1972, featuring simplified grille treatment, and powered by a 5.3 L V12 engine (coupled to a Borg Warner Model 12). The car as presented at that time was the world’s only mass-produced 12-cylinder four-door car, and, with a top speed “around 140 mph” (225 km/h) as the “fastest full four-seater available in the world today”. Although it had, from the car’s launch, been the manufacturer’s intention that the XJ would take the twelve-cylinder engine, its installation was nonetheless a tight fit, and providing adequate cooling had evidently been a challenge for the engineers designing the installation. Bonnet/hood louvres such as those fitted on the recently introduced twelve-cylinder E Type were rejected, but the XJ12 featured a complex “cross-flow” radiator divided into two separated horizontal sections and supported with coolant feeder tanks at each end: the engine fan was geared to rotate at 1¼ times the speed of the engine rpm, subject to a limiter which cut in at a (fan) speed of 1,700 rpm. The fuel system incorporated a relief valve that returned fuel to the tank when pressure in the leads to the carburetters exceeded 1.5 psi to reduce the risk of vapour locks occurring at the engine’s high operating temperature, while the car’s battery, unusually, benefited from its own thermostatically controlled cooling fan.

The Jaguar XJ12, launched during the summer of 1972, featured a simplified grille.

3,235 of these first generation XJ12s were built. As with the six-cylinder cars, an upmarket version, this time called the Daimler Double-Six, became available later, reviving the Daimler model name of 1926–1938.

Total production figures for the Series 1

Model	Production
Jaguar XJ6 2.8 swb	19,322
Jaguar XJ6 4.2 swb	59,077
Jaguar XJ6 4.2 lwb	574
Jaguar XJ12 swb	2,474
Jaguar XJ12 lwb	754
Daimler Sovereign 2.8	3,233
Daimler Sovereign 4.2 swb	11,522
Daimler Sovereign 4.2 lwb	386
Daimler Double Six swb	534
Daimler Double Six Vanden Plas	351
Total Production for Series 1	98,227

MWK 28G – The oldest Jaguar XJ in existence

Series 2 (1973–79)

XJ Series II
Overview
Also called	Jaguar XJ6 & XJ12 Jaguar XJ 3.4, XJ 4.2 & XJ 5.3 [8] Daimler Sovereign Daimler Double-Six
Production	1973–79 (1981) 91,227 produced
Assembly	Coventry, England Cape Town, South Africa Nelson, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L XK I6 3.4 L XK I6 4.2 L XK I6 5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.75 in (2,762 mm) (swb: only sold until 1974) 112.75 in (2,864 mm) (lwb until 1974: thereafter all sedans)
Length	194.75 in (4,947 mm) (lwb until 1974: thereafter all sedans)
Width	69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height	54 in (1,372 mm)
Kerb weight	3,841 lb (1,742 kg)

Commonly referred to as the “Series II”, the XJ line was facelifted in autumn 1973 for the 1974 model year. The 4.2 L I-6 XJ6 (most popular in the United Kingdom) and the 5.3 L V12 XJ12 were continued with an addition of a 3.4 L (3,442 cc or 210.0 cu in) version of the XK engine available from 1975.

The Series II models were known for their poor build quality, which was attributed to Jaguar being part of the British Leyland group along with massive labour union relations problems that plagued most of industrial England in the same time period, and to problems inherent in the design of certain Lucas-sourced components.

Initially the Series II was offered with two wheelbases, but at the 1974 London Motor Show Jaguar announced the withdrawal of the standard wheelbase version: subsequent saloons/sedans all featured the extra 4 inches (10 cm) of passenger cabin length hitherto featured only on the long-wheelbase model. By this time the first customer deliveries of the two-door coupe, which retained the shorter standard-wheelbase (and which had already been formally launched more than a year earlier) were only months away.

Visually, Series II cars are differentiated from their predecessors by raised front bumpers to meet US crash safety regulations, which necessitated a smaller grille, complemented by a discreet additional inlet directly below the bumper. The interior received a substantial update, including simplified heating and a/c systems to address criticisms of the complex and not very effective Series I system.

In April 1975, the North American Series II got a slightly revised set of front bumpers which had rubber over-riders covering the full length of the bumper with embedded turn signals at each end. In 1975 V12 XJS / XJ12L cars and in 1978 the 4.2 6 cyl. XJ6L North American cars got the addition of BOSCH electronic fuel injection in the place of Zenith-Stromberg carburettors.

In May 1977, it was announced that automatic transmission version of the 12-cylinder cars would be fitted with a General Motors three-speed THM 400 transmission in place of the British-built Borg-Warner units used hitherto.

The 1978 UK model range included the Jaguar XJ 3.4, XJ 4.2, XJ 5.3, Daimler Sovereign 4.2, Double-Six 5.3, Daimler Vanden Plas 4.2, Double-Six Vanden Plas 5.3.

In New Zealand, knock-down kits of the Series II were assembled locally by the New Zealand Motor Corporation (NZMC) at their Nelson plant. In the last year of production in New Zealand (1978), a special ‘SuperJag’ (XJ6-SLE) model was produced which featured half leather, half dralon wide pleat seats, vinyl roof, chrome steel wheels and air conditioning as standard. New Zealand produced models featured speedometers in km/h, and the black vinyl mats sewn onto the carpets in the front footwells featured the British Leyland ‘L’ logo.

Though worldwide production of the Series II ended in 1979, a number were produced in Cape Town, South Africa until 1981.

A total of 91,227 Series II models were produced, 14,226 of them with the V12 engine.

Engines

Years	Type	Capacity	Horsepower
1973–75	DOHC I-6	2,792 (171 cu. in.)	140
1975–79	DOHC I-6	3,442 (210 cu. in.)	161
1973–79	DOHC I-6	4,235 (258 cu. in.)	245/162-186 See Note
1973–79	SOHC V12	5,343 (326 cu. in.)	265/244 See Note

Note: HP varies depending on emission standards imposed on particular vehicles

Production count

Year	XJ6	XJ12
1973	1488	168
1974	13526	4744
1975	11990	2239
1976	12157	3283
1977	9043	1913
1978	12138	3284
1979	1099	429
Total	61,441	16,060

XJ Coupé

XJ-Coupé
Daimler XJ-C
Overview
Also called	XJ-C, XJ6-C, XJ12-C, Daimler Sovereign Coupé Daimler Double-Six Coupé
Production	1975–78 10,487 produced
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe
Powertrain
Engine	4.2 L XK I6 5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.75 in (2,762 mm)
Length	190.75 in (4,845 mm)
Width	69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height	54.125 in (1,375 mm)
Kerb weight	4,050 lb (1,837 kg)

A 9,378-car run of two-door XJ coupés with a pillarless hardtop body called the XJ-C was built between 1975 and 1978. The car was actually launched at the London Motor Show in October 1973, but it subsequently became clear that it was not ready for production, and the economic troubles unfolding in the western world at this time seem to have reduced further any sense of urgency about producing and selling the cars: it was reported that problems with window sealing delayed production. XJ coupés finally started to emerge from Jaguar show-rooms only some two years later. The coupé was based on the short-wheelbase version of the XJ. The coupé’s elongated doors were made out of a lengthened standard XJ front door (the weld seams are clearly visible under the interior panels where two front door shells were grafted together with a single outer skin). A few XJ-Cs were modified by Lynx Cars and Avon into convertibles with a retractable canvas top, but this was not a factory product. Lynx conversions (16 in total) did benefit of powered tops. Both six and twelve-cylinder models were offered, 6,505 of the former and 1,873 of the latter. Even with the delay, these cars suffered from water leaks and wind noise. The delayed introduction, the labour-intensive work required by the modified saloon body, the higher price than the four-door car, and the early demise promulgated by the new XJ-S, all ensured a small production run.

All coupes came with a vinyl roof as standard. Since the coupe lacked B-pillars, the roof flexed enough that the paint used by Jaguar at the time would develop cracks. More modern paints do not suffer such problems, so whenever a coupe is repainted it is viable to remove the vinyl. Today many XJ-Cs no longer have their vinyl roof, also removing the threat of roof rust. Some owners also modified their XJ-C by changing to Series III bumpers. This lifted the front indicators from under the bumper and provided built in rear fog lights.

A small number of Daimler versions of the XJ-C were made. One prototype Daimler Vanden Plas version XJ-C was also made, however this version never went into production.

Production Count

Model \ Year	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
4.2l Coupe	2	1	2925	1746	1776	37
5.3l Coupe	–	11	821	663	329	31
Daimler Sovereign Coupe	–	–	471	587	613	6
Daimler Double Six Coupe	–	1	76	149	159	22
Total	2	13	4293	3145	2877	96

Grand total = 10,426

Series 3 (1979–92)

XJ Series III
Overview
Also called	XJ6, XJ12 Daimler Sovereign Daimler Vanden Plas Daimler Double-Six Double-Six Vanden Plas Jaguar Sovereign (from 1983) Jaguar Vanden Plas
Production	1979–92 132,952 produced
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	3.4 L XK I6 4.2 L XK I6 5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine

In late 1979, the XJ was facelifted again, and was known as the “Series III.”

Using the long-wheelbase version of the car, the XJ6 incorporated a subtle redesign by Pininfarina.

Externally, the most obvious changes over the SII were the thicker and more incorporated rubber bumpers with decorative chrome only on the top edge, flush door handles for increased safety, a one-piece front door glass without a separate 1/4 light, a grille with only vertical vanes, reverse lights moved from the boot plinth to the larger rear light clusters and a revised roofline with narrower door frames and increased glass area.

There were three engine variants, including the 5.3 L V12, the 4.2 L straight-six and 3.4 L straight-six. The larger six-cylinder, and V12 models incorporated Bosch fuel injection (made under licence by Lucas) while the smaller six-cylinder was carbureted. The smaller 3.4 L six-cylinder engine was not offered in the US

The short-wheelbase saloon and coupé had been dropped during the final years of the Series II XJ. The introduction of the Series III model also saw the option of a sunroof and cruise control for the first time on an XJ model.

The 1979 UK model range included the Jaguar XJ6 3.4 & 4.2, XJ12 5.3, Daimler Sovereign 4.2 & Double-Six 5.3 and Daimler Vanden Plas 4.2 & Double-Six Vanden Plas 5.3.

In 1981 the 5.3 V12 models received the new Michael May designed “fireball” high compression cylinder head engines and were badged from this time onwards to 1985 as HE (High Efficiency) models.

In late 1981 Daimler Sovereign and Double Six models received a minor interior upgrade for the 1982 model year with features similar to Vanden Plas models. Also for the 1982 model year, a top spec “Jaguar” Vanden Plas model was introduced for the US market – a model designation still used today.

In late 1982 the interior of all Series III models underwent a minor update for the 1983 model year. A trip computer appeared for the first time and was fitted as standard on V12 models. A new and much sought-after alloy wheel featuring numerous distinctive circular holes was also introduced, commonly known as the “pepperpot” wheel.

In late 1983 revision and changes were made across the Series III model range for the 1984 model year, with the Sovereign name being transferred from Daimler to a new top spec Jaguar model, the “Jaguar Sovereign”. A base spec Jaguar XJ12 was no longer available, with the V12 engine only being offered as a Jaguar Sovereign HE or Daimler Double Six. The Vanden Plas name was also dropped at this time in the UK market, due to Jaguar being sold by BL and the designation being used on top-of-the-range Rover-branded cars in the home UK market. Daimler models became the Daimler 4.2 and Double Six and were the most luxurious XJ Series III models, being fully optioned with Vanden Plas spec interiors.

The 1984 UK model range included the Jaguar XJ6 3.4 & 4.2, Sovereign 4.2 & 5.3, Daimler 4.2 & Double Six 5.3.

Production of the Series III XJ continued until 1992 with the V12 engine. In 1992, the last 100 cars built were numbered and sold as part of a special series commemorating the end of production for Canada. These 100 cars featured the option of having a brass plaque located in the cabin. It was the original purchaser’s option to have this plaque, which also gave a number to the car (such as No. 5 of 100, etc.), fitted to the glove box, to the console woodwork or not fitted at all. This brass plaque initiative did not come from Jaguar in Coventry. It was a local effort, by Jaguar Canada staff and the brass plaques were engraved locally.

132,952 Series III cars were built, 10,500 with the V12 engine. In total between 1968 and 1992 there were around 318,000 XJ6 and XJ12 Jaguars produced.

A Jaguar XJ6 alongside Eram Garden in Shiraz, Iran.

Jaguar Sovereign 4.2 in France

1983–86 Jaguar Sovereign 4.2 sedan (Australia)

XJ40, X300, and X308 (1986–2003)

XJ40 (1986–94)

Main article: Jaguar XJ (XJ40)

US-market XJ6 (XJ40)

The intended replacement for the Series XJ was code-named XJ40, and development on the all-new car began in the early 1970s (with small scale models being built as early as 1972.) The project suffered a number of delays due to problems at parent company British Leyland and events such as the 1973 oil crisis. The XJ40 was finally introduced in 1986 at the British International Motor Show.

With the XJ40, Jaguar began to place more emphasis on build quality as well as simplification of the XJ’s build process. With 25 per cent fewer body panel pressings required versus the Series XJ, the new process also saved weight, increased the stiffness of the chassis, and reduced cabin noise.

The new platform came with significantly different styling, which was more squared-off and angular than the outgoing Series III. Individual round headlamps were replaced with rectangular units on the higher-specification cars. The interior received several modernisations such as the switch to a digital instrument cluster (although this was eventually discontinued in favour of analogue instruments.)

The six-cylinder XJ40s are powered by the AJ6 inline-six engine, which replaced the XK6 unit used in earlier XJs. The new unit featured a four-valve, twin overhead cam design. In 1993, one year before XJ40 production ended, the V12-powered XJ12 and Daimler Double Six models were reintroduced.

X300 (1994–97)

Main article: Jaguar XJ (X300)

Jaguar XJ6 (X300)

The X300, introduced in 1994, was stylistically intended to evoke the image of the more curvaceous Series XJ. The front of the car was redesigned significantly to return to four individual round headlamps that provided definition to the sculptured hood. Mechanically, it was similar to the XJ40 that it replaced.

Six-cylinder X300s are powered by the AJ16 inline-six engine, which is a further enhancement of the AJ6 engine that uses an electronic distributorless ignition system. The V12 remained available until the end of the X300 production in 1997 (although it ended one year earlier in the United States market due to problems meeting OBD-II-related emissions requirements.)

Jaguar first introduced the supercharged XJR in X300 production; the first supercharged road car manufactured by the company.

Design of the X300 was directly affected by the Ford Motor Company‘s ownership of Jaguar (between 1990 and 2007). According to Automotive News, this was evident in general “product development processes”, more than the use of Ford components. However, the X300’s traction control system was obtained from the Ford Mondeo and it also featured a Nippondenso air conditioner purchased through Ford channels.

X308 (1997-2003)

Main article: Jaguar XJ (X308)

Daimler Super V8 (X308)

With the introduction of the X308 generation in 1997 came a switch from the XJ6 and XJ12 nomenclature to XJ8, reflecting the fact that the X308 cars were powered by a new V8 engine.

The exterior styling of the X308 was similar to the X300 with minor refinements such as a change to oval indicator lenses and round fog lights. The interior was also updated to eliminate the instrument binnacle used on the X300; instead, three large gauges were set into recesses in the walnut-faced dashboard in front of the driver.

The major mechanical change was the replacement of both the inline-six and V12 engines with new eight-cylinder AJ-V8 in either 3.2 L or 4.0 L versions, with the 4.0 L also available in supercharged form. No manual transmission was available, and all X308 models were supplied with a five-speed automatic gearbox.

X350 and X358 (2004–2009)

X350 (2004–2007)

X350
Overview
Also called	XJ6, XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8, Daimler Super Eight
Production	2003-2007
Assembly	Castle Bromwich Assembly,Birmingham, England
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L V6 3.5 L AJ-V8 V8 4.2 L AJ-V8 V8 4.2 L supercharged AJ-V8 V8 2.7 L AJD-V6 V6 Diesel
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 119.4 in (3,033 mm) LWB: 124.4 in (3,160 mm)
Length	SWB: 200.4 in (5,090 mm) LWB: 205.3 in (5,215 mm)
Width	2004-05: 73.2 in (1,859 mm) 2006-07: 83.0 in (2,108 mm) 2008-present: 76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Height	SWB: 57 in (1,448 mm) LWB: 57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Kerb weight	3,946 lb (1,790 kg)

Main article: Jaguar XJ (X350)

Jaguar introduced the re-engineered third generation XJ (known as X350) in 2003, featuring an all-aluminium body. The new car also featured a V6 engine, an XJ6 badge as well as greater interior and luggage space.

The V8 engine was offered in larger 3.5 and 4.2 litre sizes as well as a supercharged 4.2 Litre. The car’s lighter weight meant the 3.0 Litre V6 was also offered although with the later introduction of the 2.7 litre V6 diesel the V6 petrol version was discontinued (neither V6 petrol nor diesel were available in US markets). A new six-speed automatic gearbox was fitted which was lighter and offered better economy with lock up on all gears and a larger spread of ratios.

Air suspension was fitted all round which provided adaptive damping as well as rear self leveling. Unlike other manufacturers Jaguar did not provide any driver control of ride height or suspension mode which was fully computer controlled. Dynamic stability control as well as traction control were standard.

Two zone climate control was also standard with four zone available on long-wheelbase models. An optional touch screen interface controlled default settings, satellite navigation, the Alpine audio system, and bluetooth telephone. “Jaguar Voice” offered voice control of many functions.

X358 (2007–09)

X358
Overview
Also called	XJ8, Vanden Plas, XJR, Super V8
Production	2007–09
Dimensions
Kerb weight	VJ8: 3,770 lb (1,710 kg) VDP: 3,871 lb (1,756 kg) XJR: 3,946 lb (1,790 kg) Super V8 4,006 lb (1,817 kg)

Main article: Jaguar XJ (X358)

A face-lifted version of the X350 was unveiled at the end of February 2007. Aesthetically, the main changes were a new lower grille system, with a deeper, more aggressive gape, side air vents similar to those introduced on Ian Callum’s 2005 XK and a small lip spoiler on the bootlid. The changes to the interior included revised seating.

X351 (2009–)

Main article: Jaguar XJ (X351)

XJ X351
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	2009-present
Assembly	Castle Bromwich Assembly,Birmingham, United Kingdom Pune, India
Designer	Ian Callum, Adam Hatton
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	5.0 L 385 PS (283 kW) AJ Gen IIIV8 5.0 L 510 PS (375 kW)supercharged AJ Gen III V8 3.0 L 275 PS (202 kW) V6 Diesel 2.0 L 240 PS (177 kW) R4 Petrol3.0 L 340 PS (250 kW)supercharged AJ V6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 119.4 in (3,033 mm) LWB: 124.3 in (3,157 mm)
Length	SWB: 201.7 in (5,123 mm) LWB: 206.6 in (5,248 mm)
Width	74.6 in (1,895 mm)
Height	57 in (1,448 mm)
Kerb weight	(SWB) Diesel : 1,796 kg (3,960 lb) Petrol : 1,755 kg (3,869 lb) Supercharged: 1,892 kg (4,171 lb)Add 23 kg (51 lb)) for LWB
Chronology
Predecessor	XJ X358

In July 2009, the newly styled XJ was unveiled at the Saatchi Gallery in London, with Jay Leno and Elle Macpherson unveiling the new car. The unveiling was broadcast live on the Jaguar website.

In keeping with Ian Callum’s new design direction for Jaguar, it is an all-new exterior design and a break from the XJ series mould carried over on all previous generations. It is a longer, wider car that looks much bigger than its predecessor. The front has clear links with the executive car XF, although with slimmer, sleeker lights and a larger, squarer grille and more aggressive appearance. The rear is the contentious part, like nothing Jaguar has shown before. The upright, swooping taillights, nicknamed “cat’s claws”, and black roof panels each side of the rear screen, which aim to hide the XJ’s width, are the most striking aspects. There is also a standard full-length sunroof, that extends all the way back with just a single body-coloured roof panel that the designer likens to bridges on yachts.

The new XJ features an innovative, all-LCD dashboard and console displays. The dashboard can be configured to display various virtual dials in addition to the obligatory speedometer. The console display presents different views to the driver and passenger, including control of a sophisticated video and audio system.

Like several of its predecessors, the X351 is available in both standard and long-wheelbase form, as well as many special editions. Engines are modern units already seen in other JLR products: the 5-litre petrol V8 either normally aspirated or supercharged, or a twin-turbo 3-litre diesel that is predicted to account for most of the sales. For 2013 a 3-litre supercharged V6 was introduced to the line-up, primarily as an alternative to the diesel unit for improved fuel economy.

The X351 received a minor facelift in 2014, primarily upgrading the suspension and rear seat facilities on the long wheelbase versions, but also introducing small cosmetic changes across the range, and making stop-start technology standard on all engines.

Worldwide Sales

Year	Sales
2009	11,977
2010	10,404
2011	15,128
2012	14,988
2013	19,677

XJ Numbering of cars and engines

Just prior to World War II, Jaguar, known then as SS Cars, started using a numbering system beginning with the letter X for internal projects. X meaning experimental, XB for military chassis projects and XF to XK for engines. This numbering system has never been consistent and there appear to be many omissions and duplications.

Number	Project
XJ3	3.4-litre and 3.8-litre S-Type saloon cars (known to the Pressed Steel Company as ‘Utah’)
XJ4	Designation of the project which led to what was publicly announced as the XJ6
XJ5	Modifications to the Mark Ten for air conditioning
XJ6	A V12 racing engine with four overhead-camshafts
XJ8	E-type 2+2 version
XJ13	Jaguar sport-racing mid engined prototype
XJ16	Jaguar 420 saloon
XJ22 & XJ23	E-type Series Two
XJ27	The Jaguar XJS
XJ40	Second Generation Jaguar XJ6 (1986–94) (as opposed to Series 2 version of First Generation)
XJ41	Prototype Coupé replacement for the XJ-S
XJ42	Prototype Drophead replacement for the XJ-S
XJ50	Jaguar XJ12 Series Three
XJ57 & XJ58	Jaguar XJ-S 3.6 litre
XJ81	Second Generation Jaguar XJ12 (1993–94)
XJ220	Sports & race car variants developed with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (1992–94)

• 1972–1992 XJ12
• 1986–1994 XJ6 (XJ40)
• 1993–1994 XJ12 (XJ81)
• 1995–1997 XJ6 & XJ12 (X300 & X301)
• 1998–2003 XJ8 (X308)
• 2004–2007 XJ (X350)
• 2008-2009 XJ (X358)
• 2009–date XJ (X351)

Compact executive

• 1935–1949 1½ Litre saloon
• 1955–1959 Mark 1
• 1959–1967 Mark 2
• 1963–1968 S-type
• 1966–1968 420
• 1966–1968 240 & 340
• 1999–2008 S-type
• 2001–2009 X-type
• 2008–present XF
• 2015- Jaguar XE

Sports

• Jaguar XK120
• fastest production car in the world in 1949

• 1948–1954 XK120
• 1954–1957 XK140
• 1957–1961 XK150
• 1961–1974 E-Type
• 1975–1996 XJ-S
• 1992–1994 XJ220
• 1997–2006 XK8/XKR (X100)
• 2006–2014 XK (X150)
• 2013–present F-Type
• 2016(announced) F-Pace

Racing and competition

• 1950s C-Type
• 1950s D-Type
• 1960s E-Type Lightweight
• 1985–1992 XJR-5 through XJR-17
• 2009 XFR Bonneville Salt Flats speed record
• 2010 Jaguar RSR XKR GT2

Concept models

• E1A — The 1950s E-Type concept vehicle
• E2 A — The second E-Type concept vehicle, which raced at LeMans and in the USA
• Pirana (1967) — Designed by Bertone
• XJ13 (1966) — Built to race at LeMans, never run
• XK 180 (1998) — Roadster concept based on the XK8
• F-Type (2000) — Roadster, similar to the XK8 but smaller
• R-Coupé (2001) — Large four-seater coupé
• Fuore XF 10 (2003)
• R-D6 (2003) — Compact four-seat coupé
• XK-RR — A high-performance version of last generation XK coupé
• XK-RS — Another performance-spec version of last generation XK convertible
• Concept Eight (2004) — Super-luxury version of the long-wheelbase model of the XJ
• C-XF (2007) — Precursor to the production model XF saloon
• C-X75 (2010) — Hybrid-electric sports car, originally intended for production but cancelled in 2012
• C-X16 (2011) — Precursor to the production model F-Type
• C-X17 (2013) — First ever Jaguar SUV concept
• Project 7 — a 542 bhp V8-powered speedster based on the F-Type and inspired by the D-Type (2013)

Engines

Jaguar has designed in-house four generations of engines.

• Historical engines:
  • Jaguar XK6 engine—inline-6
  • Jaguar V12 engine—V12
  • Jaguar AJ6 engine and AJ16 engine—inline-6
• Current engines:
  • Jaguar AJ-V8 engine—V8 (fourth generation Jaguar engine)
  • Jaguar AJ-V6 engine—V6 (a variation of a Ford engine)
  • Jaguar AJD-V6 engine—V6 (diesel engine designed by Ford)

Motorsport

See also: Jaguar Racing and Jaguar XJR Sportscars

Jaguar XJ-S won the 1984 European Touring Car Championship

The Jaguar R5 being driven by Mark Webber in 2004—the team’s last season in F1

The company has had major success in sports car racing, particularly in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Victories came in 1951 and 1953 with the C-Type, then in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with the D-Type. The manager of the racing team during this period, Lofty England, later became CEO of Jaguar in the early 1970s. Although the prototype XJ13 was built in the mid-1960s it was never raced, and the famous race was then left for many years.

In 1982, a successful relationship with Tom Walkinshaw‘s TWR team commenced with the XJ-S competing in the European Touring Car Championship, which it won in 1984. In 1985, the TWR XJ-S won the Bathurst 1000 race. In the mid-1980s TWR started designing and preparing Jaguar V12-engined Group C cars for World Sports Prototype Championship races. The team started winning regularly from 1987, and won Le Mans in 1988 and 1990 with the XJR series sports cars. The Jaguar XJR-14 was the last of the XJRs to win, taking the 1991 World Sportscar Championship.

In the 1999, Ford decided that Jaguar would be the corporation’s Formula One entry. Ford bought out the Milton Keynes-based Stewart Grand Prix team and rebranded it as Jaguar Racing for the 2000 season. The Jaguar F1 program was not a success however, achieving only two podium finishes in five seasons of competition between 2000 and 2004. At the end of 2004, with costs mounting and Ford’s profits dwindling, the F1 team was seen as an unneeded expense and was sold to Red Bull energy drinks owner Dietrich Mateschitz, and it became Red Bull Racing. Since 2004 Jaguar has not had an official presence in motorsport.

Notable Jaguar sports racers:

• Jaguar C-Type (1951–1953)
• Jaguar D-Type (1954–1957)
• Jaguar Lightweight E-Type
• Jaguar XJ13
• Jaguar XJR Sportscars
• Jaguar XJR-9 (1988)
• XJ220 (1988)
• XJR-15 (1990)

Electric vehicles

Lotus Cars joined Jaguar, MIRA Ltd and Caparo on a luxury hybrid executive sedan project called “Limo-Green”—funded by the UK Government Technology Strategy Board. The vehicle will be a series plug-in hybrid.

Facilities

Jaguar Land Rover operations are split between several sites, most of which are used for work on both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Current plants

• Whitley Engineering Centre – Jaguar Land Rover’s headquarters and a research and development centre. The older part of this plant was acquired from Peugeot in the 1980s, and was formerly a First World War airfield, an aircraft factory and then a missile factory before being sold to the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe).
• Gaydon Engineering Centre – Jaguar Land Rover’s other research and development centre. Formerly an RAF bomber base before being acquired by British Leyland and redeveloped as a vehicle design, development and testing centre. Part of this site is also the Aston Martin headquarters, development centre and factory.
• Castle Bromwich – Jaguar Land Rover’s main Jaguar assembly plant, producing the XF, XJ, XK and F-Type ranges. Originally an aircraft factory during World War Two – Spitfires were built there, it was later acquired by Pressed Steel Fisher and became a vehicle body assembly works, it came under the auspices of Jaguar through the merger with BMC in the 1960s.
• Solihull – Jaguar Land Rover’s principal Land Rover assembly plant. This was originally an aircraft engine plant during World War Two, being used for as a Rover plant after the war. The Jaguar XE will become the first Jaguar car to be assembled at the facility in late 2014, followed by the Jaguar F-Pace crossover from 2016.
• Halewood, Merseyside – Now used by Jaguar Land Rover for Land Rover production. Originally a Ford assembly plant (the Ford Escort being its most prolific model) it was given to Jaguar in 2000 for production of the X-Type. Ford still owns the transmission manufacturing operation at Halewood.
• Wolverhampton Engine Plant – a new £500 million facility located at the i54 site in Staffordshire close to Wolverhampton to build the new Ingenium family of modular diesel and petrol engines. The plant was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

Future plants

• Ryton-on-Dunsmore – Jaguar Land Rover announced that it will build a new Special Vehicle Operations development centre there in 2016. The site was previously used by Rootes for aircraft production plant for World War Two, and later became the Rootes/Chrysler/Peugeot car plant which was closed in 2006 and has since been completely demolished and the site cleared.

Past Jaguar plants

• Holbrooks Lane, Coventry – by the time Swallow Sidecar Company started using the Jaguar name, they had relocated from Blackpool to Holbrooks Lane in Coventry.
• Browns Lane – The most well-known site for Jaguar production from 1951, it was progressively run down and replaced by Castle Bromwich. Most of the plant has now been demolished and is now the home of Jaguar Land Rover’s heritage centre.
• Radford – originally a Daimler bus plant but was later a Jaguar engine and axle plant. Closed by Ford in 1997 when it moved all Jaguar engine production to its Bridgend facility.

Jaguar and the arts

Jaguar Art Project “Shadows”, Saint-Tropez 2011

For some time now Jaguar has been active in the international arts scene. In particular, the company has collaborated with the artist Stefan Szczesny, implementing major art projects. In 2011, Jaguar presented the exhibition series “Shadows”, which involved the installation of Szczesny’s shadow sculptures in Sankt-Moritz, on Sylt and in Saint-Tropez. In 2012, a large number of sculptures, ceramics and paintings were shown in Frankfurt (and mainly in Frankfurt’s Palmengarten).

As part of the collaboration with Szczesny, Jaguar has released the “Jaguar Art Collection”.

YOUNGMAN Buses, Cars and Trucks China

Youngman

China Youngman Automobile Group Co., Ltd.
(trading as Youngman)

Industry	Automotive
Founded	2001
Founders	Pang Qingnian
Headquarters	Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
Products	Automobiles, buses and trucks
Employees	Approx 4,000
Subsidiaries	Spyker N.V.(29.9%)
Website	Youngman

Youngman (officially China Youngman Automobile Group Co., Ltd.) (Chinese: 青年汽车集团) is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles, buses and trucks located in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. The company was founded in 2001 by Pang Qingnian.

Name

“Youngman” is an English literalization of the name of the company’s founder, Pang Qingnian.

History

The Samand car from Iran Khodro.

A 2011 Youngman Lotus L5.

Youngman was founded in 2001 by Pang Qingnian. In the early-2000s the company formed joint ventures with two German companies – a bus manufacturing venture with Neoplan (at the time known as Gottlob Auwärter GmbH & Co. KG) and a truck manufacturing venture with MAN. After increasing of orders, the manufacturer has built plants in the cities of Jinan, Tai’an, Lianyungang, Quzhou and some other places to meet the high number of orders.

In September 2006 Youngman established a joint venture with the Iranian state-owned carmaker Iran Khodro for the manufacture of Iran Khodro’s Samand and Soren models at Youngman’s Tai’an plant, with parts supplied by PSA Peugeot Citroën.

In November 2006, Youngman became the official Chinese importer for the British sports car maker Lotus Cars. In another joint-venture with the Lotus Group which was closed in December 2008, Youngman is assembling Lotus and Europestar branded cars in Guangdong for the Domestic Chinese and export market. The units receive a Chinese independent brand to differentiate itself from the British sports car models. With the Lotus joint venture, Youngman is engaged in secondary activities as the exclusive importer of American automotive brand ZAP!. Both brands had its China debut at the Beijing International Auto Show in 2009.

In 2007, Youngman acquired the American electric car maker Detroit Electric, with the intention of manufacturing vehicles for the North American market. In May 2008 it was reported that Youngman had signed two major agreements with the Malaysian carmaker Proton. The first was for the import of 30,000 Proton Gen-2 models from Malaysia to China over two years, to be sold under the EuropeStar marque as the RCR. The second was a licensing deal for Proton’s Lotus-designed Campro engine, whereby Proton would sell 150,000 complete knock down units to Youngman over the subsequent six years.

In June 2010 Youngman announced that it would be making an investment of CNY 4 billion in the construction of new manufacturing facilities in Haining, Zhejiang Province, for the production of passenger cars, alternative energy powertrain systems, vehicle bridges, transmissions and inner and exterior auto components.

Saab

On 28 October 2011 it was reported that Youngman and the Chinese automotive retailer Pang Da Automobile Trade Co had agreed a joint 100-millionEuro (USD140 million) takeover of the Swedish carmaker Saab Automobile and its United Kingdom dealer network unit from Swedish Automobile, with Youngman and Pang Da taking 60 and 40 percent stakes respectively.

Both Chinese companies pledged to invest 610 million euros ($844 million), prompting a court to extend the manufacturer’s protection against creditors.

In December 2011 General Motors (GM) blocked the Chinese buy out, since GM has technology licenses in SAAB.

Saab’s restructuring process was granted, and the plan was that in 2014 the company would have had a positive equity. The restructuring process would have removed 500 employees from Saab, saving about €100,000.00, according to the restructuring plan. General Motors rejected the deal with Youngman and Pang Da on 7 November 2011, although unsuccessful discussion to convince GM continued for a month. On 19 December 2011, chairman Victor Muller was forced to file Saab Automobile for bankruptcy following the failed buyout by a Chinese consortium, which was blocked by former parent GM to prevent technology transfer.

On 6 March 2012 an Indian news paper reported that at least two companies have placed bids for complete SAAB Automobile buy out. These are India‘s Mahindra and Mahindra and China‘s Youngman. It is reported that these bids are in the range $300 million to $400 million.

On 13 June 2012 it was announced that the National Electric Vehicle Sweden had bought Saab Automobile’s bankruptcy estate.

Spyker joint ventures

In August 2012, Youngman agreed to acquire 29.9% of the Dutch luxury sportscar maker Spyker N.V. for €6.7 million, and the companies agreed to form two new joint ventures. The Spyker P2P joint venture will focus on the development of a new luxury sports utility vehicle, with ownership split 75:25 between Youngman and Spyker respectively. The Spyker Phoenix joint venture will focus on the development of a range of premium cars based on Saab’s Phoenix platform, with ownership split 80:20 between Youngman and Spyker respectively.

Products

Youngman sells passenger cars in China under the Youngman-Lotus marque. Current products include the L3 and L5 models, and are engineered with the assistance of the United Kingdom-based Lotus Engineering.

Youngman currently produces coaches and trucks in collaboration with the Germany-based MAN Truck & Bus. Coaches are sold under the Youngman and Neoplan marques.Trucks are sold under the Youngman and MAN marques.

• A Youngman-Neoplan JNP6120G bus

  

• A Youngman-Neoplan bus in Beijing

  

• A Youngman-Neoplan MAN bus in Hong Kong

  

  YOUNGMAN CITY BUS JNP6250G

  

  YOUNGMAN INTERCITY BUS JNP6115D