1991 Jaguar XJR

The Jaguar XJ40 was in production from 1986 until 1994. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

The XJ40 was a clean sheet design for Jaguar as a replacement for the Series XJ. Development began in the early 1970s, with designs invited from a number of Italian stylists including Pininfarina and Bertone as well as a number of in house choices. It also used a brand new six cylinder engine, based very loosely around one half of the V12 unit and technically a slant six owing to its installation. Early models featured a semi digital dashboard, and a choice of 2.9 and 3.6 litre engines, though by the end of production the 2.9 had been replaced by a 3.2 and the 3.6 by a 4.0. From launch there were three specifications available – XJ6, the more upmarket Sovereign and the Daimler – the latter officially only available with the 3.6 engine. Subsequently Jaguar varied the range with the introduction of the S, targeted at younger owners, and the run-out Gold model. Tom Walkinshaw Racing also created an XJR based on the 3.6 and subsequent 4.0 versions, with cosmetic and suspension tweaks. Fifty of the last cars were stretched and fitted with raised roofs by SVO, to create the Majestic. This was Jaguar’s attempt to replace the Daimler DS420, and preceded the long wheelbase X300. Majestics were available across the full range.

208733 XJ40s were produced, including a number of US specific models. The XJ40 was replaced by the X300 in 1994 – effectively a heavily revised XJ40. Automatics are more desirable than manuals to most, though a certain sector of enthusiasts prefer a manual. Bigger engines and better specs sell better, while Daimlers command an attractive price premium.

Alternatives to the Jaguar XJ40 then and now would include the Audi V8, Mercedes-Benz W126 S-class and BMW E32 7-series, though when new the base XJ6 competed in the class below in terms of price. Jaguar made noise about how an XJ6 2.9 was cheaper than a Rover Sterling, so we’d consider that a reasonable alternative to include too.