Jaguar XJ40

In the 1970s Jaguar Cars Ltd began work on the "XJ40" project, a car to replace the extremely successful XJ6 range. After a long development period of 10 years the XJ40 was unveiled to the world in London on the 28th of August 1986 by Sir John Egan calling the project "A landmark in automotive history." This was followed by a large press conference in Northern Scotland in September '86. Motoring Journalists of the time dubbed the XJ40 "The best saloon car in the world" beating regularly in group tests competitors from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls Royce and the ever popular XJ6 Series III that it was designed to replace. This was the most advanced car to ever be designed and built in

Britain

with microprocessors controlling many functions of the car. It also had many innovative features including the "J" gate gear selector, vacuum fluorescent gauges on the dash board and a "VCM" computer with dot matrix read out.

Launched initially in three guises, XJ6, Sovereign and Daimler the XJ40 was a comfortable, refined and economical sports saloon that the team at Coventry must have been proud of. The XJ6 was the "base" model but had a very large amount of equipment as standard and at just under £17,000 for the 2.9 it represented good value undercutting the recently launched Rover Sterling by £2,000. The XJ6 was available with 2.9 and 3.6 litre "AJ6" Engines, the latter being a DOHC 24 valve and both came with a 5 speed manual gearbox or optional 4 speed automatic. Next up the model line was the Sovereign fitted with Leather upholstery, Air conditioning, ABS, better quality walnut trim and extra chrome. These models are easily identified by two square headlamps as oppose to the XJ6s four round items. Top of the range was the Daimler fitted with every option fitted as standard like an electric sunroof, walnut picnic tables and alloy wheels to name a few. This model was only made with a 3.6 engine mated to the four speed automatic transmission and it also had the square headlamps.

The first of many minor revisions to the range came in 1988 with the introduction of more aerodynamic door mirrors, improved stereo systems, and revised windscreen waist panel. The Sovereign also gained the "teardrop" style metric alloy wheels from the Daimler with five hole centre caps, rear reading lights and the deletion of the black boot infill panel. In 1989 a new sports model called the XJR was introduced with 16" alloy wheels, momo steering wheel, bodykit and similar equipment levels to the Daimler. The XJ40 consistently outsold all its rivals in 1989 becoming the most popular executive car of the late eighties and towards the end of this year Jaguar was sold to Ford.

.After the Ford take over the 1990 model year XJ40 had some major revisions, mainly an enlarged version of the AJ6 DOHC engine giving 4 litres and 235 bhp. This engine replaced the 3.6 and was available with a manual or four speed automatic transmission with "Sport" mode and an optional Catalyst. All models now had improved door handles with high security locks and the dashboard was substantially improved with analogue gauges and a small digital read out at the bottom showing odometer, computer functions and fault codes. Sovereigns and Daimlers also had chrome rimmed rear lights. Also in this year a long wheel base model called the Majestic was launched in the

U.S.

In 1991 the 2.9 engine was dropped in favour of a short stroke AJ6 DOHC engine giving 3.2 litres and 200 bhp. The rest of the range now had 15" wheels as standard (390 metric wheels an option) with the Daimler getting a new "Roulette" style. Better stereo systems with CD compatibility, new side repeaters and catalysts are now standard. The XJR was fitted with a more subtle bodykit and new 16" Aerosport alloy wheels.

Although there were no major revisions in 1992 the same can't be said for 1993 as the car underwent its last major update. All models now had an airbag, improved climate control panel, new door trims and switches, resculptured seats, and a new front valance with integrated foglamps. The XJ6 had minor colour coding, matt black finish to grille and door pillars and new wheeltrims. Sovereigns now had 12 hole alloy wheels and less chrome at the rear.

The Series III XJ12 was still in production until 1992 as the XJ40 had been deliberately designed not to accept a "Vee" engine as its been speculated that British Leyland that controlled Jaguar during the 1970s had wanted to fit the Buick/Rover V8 engine to it. Jaguar engineers had not wanted this so it was designed slightly too narrow at the front but this also meant that the legendary Jaguar V12 could not be fitted. With design work fully under way for the X300 by 1993 it was obvious to slightly change the frontal geometry to accept the V12 and as the X300 is based on a XJ40 bodyshell the modifications were brought in for the 1993 model year. The new XJ12 and Daimler Double Six were now born with the V12 engine enlarged from 5.3 litres to 6.0 and mated to the 4 speed automatic gearbox it pumped out an astonishing 318 bhp. The XJ12 had similar equipment levels to the Sovereign but was fitted with round headlights, matt black grille veins and 16" cross-spoke alloy wheels. The Double Six was comparable in equipment to the Daimler but was fitted with different wheels.

1993 also saw the launch of the Majestic in the UK and the 3.2 S and 4.0 S. These were of XJ6 spec with sports suspension, standard leather sports seats, rosewood trim and 16" five spoke alloys. This car was aimed at a younger buyer than the normal Jaguar buyer and at only £28,450 for the 3.2 it must have taken some customers from the BMW 5 Series. In 1994 Jaguar was readying itself for the launch of the X300 model to replace the XJ40 but one last model called the XJ6 Gold was launched. It was essentially a 3.2 XJ6 with leather upholstery, automatic transmission, burr walnut trim and 16" alloy wheels as standard. At £28,950 this car was very cheap considering the level of specification and even featured gold plated "Jaguar" and "XJ6 Gold" badges on the boot.

So after a production run of eight years and 208,706 units the XJ40's production came to an end in June 1994. The last car, a Solent Blue Sovereign 4 litre was given to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust as an exhibit in their museum. August 1994 saw the introduction of the X300, a car built on the floorpan and bodyshell of the XJ40 with the outer panels pressed to resemble the curving, classic lines of the XJ6 Series III.