BUYING GUIDE
The car which took Jaguar into the modern age, the XJ40 is fast gaining classic status, so now’s the time to grab one
ARELATIVELY common sight until only recently, the XJ40 is now firmly in the enthusiast category, with survivors now cherished modern classics rather than tatty daily runners.
The car itself was a massively significant one for Jaguar, taking it from the Lyons era into a very different future, one which saw it ultimately competing directly with the might of the German prestige marques and largely banishing the quality demons which had always bedevilled the company.
Despite this, the XJ40 remains a more affordable proposition than the Series 3 XJ which it repl ced, hile ’ s is gradually be n re a d in its own right. It’s also an easier car to live with in many ways, with a very much more modern driving experience than the Series 3 which can often be disappointing unless major effort and expense has been invested in getting it just right.
Growing interest has already seen values of top condition XJ40s rising, so if you fancy one of these significant Jaguars then now’s the time to strike. Here’s what you need to know.
HISTORY
After multiple delays, the XJ40 was legs’ in the engine bay being too close to accommodate the V12 engine.
The launch range initially included the 165 bhp 2.9-litre single-cam six and the 221 bhp 3.6-litre twin-cam six with the choice of either a five-speed Getrag manual or four-speed ZF automatic and the cars offered in three trim levels for the UK: the plain XJ6, Jaguar Sovereign or Daimler Sovereign. The motorsport connection with Tom Walkinshaw’s TWR also produced the mechanically near standard XJR models with revised spring and damper settings as well as ver ’80s bod kits. Initially based on the 3.6 from 1988 to 1989, they were later produced with the 4-litre engine from 1989 to 1994.
In 1989 the AJ6 engine was uprated to 3980cc to create the 223 bhp 4-litre model. The following year the single-cam 2.9 was also replaced as an entry-level option by a 3.2-litre version of the twin-cam engine.
The XJ40 range was (literally) extended in 1992 with the addition of the long-wheelbase version marketed as the Majestic, which gained five inches in the rear door area.
In February 1993 the range was completed with the announcement of the V12-powered XJ12 and Daimler Double-Six at the Geneva show, a move which would finally allow the Series 3car to be put to rest –it had remained in production as a special order model until 1992 purely for those demanding the ultimate car engine.
The V12 cars dispensed with the usual ZF automatic in favour of a unit purchased from GM –a surprising move for a Ford subsidiary but appare
