Which Jaguar from the modern era would you choose to own and modify? Rob Hawkins examines the popular performance options available
THE SSORTMENT of Jaguars released over the last 25 years has marked a major shift in how we approach modifications and what we consider to be a desirable model to modify. There was a time when an XJ with a V12 under the bonnet was the ultimate saloon, but nowadays it’s more likely to be an XF with a 3.0 diesel engine. Whilst Jaguar’s petrol engines have kept pace with performance stakes, the torque and fuel economy offered by diesel engines has meant they are often the winners on paper. Only the diminishing popularity of dirty diesels has resulted in a return in popularity of the petrol engine – and thankfully, Jaguar never manufactured a diesel engine F-TYPE.
Should you want to squeeze more performance out of a standard X-TYPE, XF, F-TYPE or even an SUV styled F-PACE, then I’d always start with ensuring the handling is up to the job, which may in turn improve performance anyway. A set of tyres in good condition and of the same brand is my recommended starting point, which not only helps with handling, but also ride quality and road noise. Also check the wheel alignment is correct and the wheels are balanced and not damaged.
A lighter set of wheels will help to reduce the unsprung weight and could make a noticeable difference to handling – weighing a standard wheel and tyre is all you need to do before shopping around for lighter alternatives.
Replace any worn suspension components, but if you are confident everything is in good working order, yet still want more, there are a few options. A firmer ride quality with more positive steering and control is often achievable by replacing standard rubber suspension bushes for polyurethane.
Manufacturers such as Superflex, Powerflex and Polybush, for instance, cater for a range of Jaguar models, but be sure to check with them concerning what you want from this type of upgrade and ask about Shore hardness figures that indicate how soft or harsh such bushes can be.
Aftermarket suspension upgrades such as fitting height and damper-adjustable coil-overs can help to tweak the ride height, handling and cornering capabilities of a vehicle. Brands such as Koni, Bilstein and Spax cater for several Jaguar models and in some cases, supply OE-specification parts.
When I fitted a new set of OE Bilstein springs and dampers to an X-TYPE 2.0D and replaced all the tyres on its s
