The XJ6 , using 2.8 L (2790 cc/170 in³) and 4.2 L (4235 cc/258 in³) 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. 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 "XJ" designation was from the car's code name during development, standing for Experimental Jaguar .

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". In 1972 the option of a long wheel base version, providing a modest increase in leg room for passengers in the back, became available.

The XJ12 version, featuring simplified grill treatment, and powered by a 5.3 L V12 engine (coupled to a Borg Warner Model 12), was launched, also in 1972: 3,235 of these first generation XJ12s were built. Again, an upmarket version, this time called the Daimler Double-Six , was available, reviving the Daimler model name of 1926-1938.

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

Production Count

Grand Total = 10,426

Series 3 (1979–1992)

With an all-new replacement still years away, in the early 1990s Jaguar recognised the boxy 1980s lines of the XJ40 needed to be facelifted and decided a "retro" path was the way forward. This path worked as Jaguar's biggest markets, the Americans, the Germans and the Japanese all associate Jaguars with sleek, voluptuous and taut feline curves. This revamp reintroduced many styling cues of the popular original XJ series. The X300, as it was known, was based on the XJ81 chassis, designed by chief Jaguar designer Geoff Lawson and was launched as the XJ6 for the 1995 model year.

In addition, a 326 bhp (243 kW) supercharged version of the straight-6 was offered and badged as the XJR . This was the first supercharged Jaguar in the company's history and only the second car Jaguar ever made that used forced induction – the other being the extremely rare and expensive turbocharged Jaguar XJ220 sports car.

The centre section (namely the doors and glass area) was shared with the original "Mark 2" (XJ40/XJ81) but the X300 saw the XJ6 revert to a traditional fluted bonnet and 4 individual headlights. The front and rear wings, bumpers and bootlid were also redesigned. The interior remained more or less the same as before. The engines were basically the same 3.2 L and 4.0 L units (engine code AJ6) found in the XJ40, but were mildly revised to further increase power and refinement (engine code AJ16). It was this generation that saw continued improvement in build quality.

1997 was the final year of production for the XJ6. Jaguar switched exclusively to an all-new V8 engine when the XJ8 (engine code AJ26) was introduced at the end of 1997 which fitted perfectly in the XJ81 chassis.

Safety

According to the UK Department for Transport's road accident statistics on a model-by-model basis (Table A, Page 10), which shows risk of injuries to car drivers involved in two-car accidents, the X300/X308 series Jaguars were among the safest cars on UK roads (measured in terms of chance of death in an accident during the four year assessment period) – three times safer than the safest Volvo models and matched only by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Land Rover.

X305 (1995–1997)

X350 (2003-2006)

Although major revisions (through the X300 and, particularly, the X308 updates) kept the Mark 2 competitive in some areas against its rivals, the basic design dated back to 1986 which meant the car was very quickly being outclassed and losing ground to its rivals, many of which were now two generations advanced from the original competitors of the Mark 2 XJ. For example, since the model had been unveiled in 1986 (at the same time as the BMW 7 Series E32), BMW had launched Mark 3 (E38) and Mark 4 (E65) versions of its 7 Series in 1994 and 2001 respectively – all while Jaguar was still producing the Mk 2 XJ.

In early 2003, the all-new third generation XJ (known as X350) arrived in showrooms. 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 6-cylinder power, albeit in a V-configuration.

Design and engineering

Like the Audi A8's, the X350's chassis and body are constructed from aluminium. While some steel is 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 (4,000 lb) (3.0 V6 TDi) compared to 1,539 kg (3,390 lb) of the (3.0 V6) XJ.

On its own, the current XJ's bodyshell weighs about the same as a contemporary BMW MINI. If the car were made of steel, it is estimated that it would weigh 40% more.

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 pushed out further towards the corners of the car (due to an increased wheelbase), both like the original Mark 1 XJ. Also, the X350 dispenses with the separate "sixthlight" rear side window of its predecessor, reverting back to two side windows with quarterlight glasses mounted in the rear doors, like the Mark 1. Moreover, beginning in 2004, changes have been 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.

Engines

The V8 engines remained in the new model, but were now the revised and more powerful versions found in the 2003 S-Type. The 290 bhp (216 kW) 4.0 litre and 370 bhp (276 kW) 4.0 litre supercharged engines from the X308 Mk II were replaced by the S-Type's 294 bhp (219 kW) 4.2 L and 400 bhp (298 kW) 4.2 L supercharged units respectively, while a new 3.5  V8 was also introduced for the European market. Derived from the 3.2  engine of the previous model, it produced 265 bhp (198 kW).

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

In 2005 Jaguar introduced the diesel-powered XJ TDVi. The XJ TDVi features the same Ford-Peugeot-developed 2.7 litre twin-turbo V6 found in the S-Type. The model produces 204 bhp (152 kW) and 321 lb·ft (435 N·m) of torque, earning it praise as the most refined diesel engine to be found in any car, anywhere, with electronically controlled engine mounts in order to minimise vibration.

Overview

Despite some critics' concerns that the XJ's styling is dated, the general consensus is that the X350 is an efficient car featuring sharp and agile handling, a smooth ride and powerful engines, particularly the V8 and diesel engines.

The Super V8 , also known as the Daimler Super Eight , is 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 upscale 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 outside of North America. The Daimler Super Eight is essentially the same car, but with the addition of a different grille, boxwood inlays into the wood veneer and several other interior luxuries as standard. Daimler's US equivalent is no longer known as the Vanden Plas, but the Super V8. The Vanden Plas name is used on models that would be known as Sovereign elsewhere.

All North American XJs come standard with a 300 hp (224 kW) naturally aspirated engine. A 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged from 4.2 L V8 engine is optional. The valvetrain has a dual overhead cam design with four valves per cylinder. The top speed is limited electronically.

In early 2005, Jaguar announced its most exclusive and expensive XJ saloon since ceasing V12 production. Called the 2006 Super V8 Portfolio , it is a limited-edition trim level of the flagship Super V8 saloon. It debuted at the New

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