Jaguar XJS
Jaguar XJ -S (1975-1981)
The Jaguar XJ- S or XJS was a sporty model (more precisely, a Grand Tourer ) of the traditional British car manufacturer Jaguar. It was made in 119 268 copies of 10 September 1975 to April 4, 1996 and was the most successful Jaguar sports model.
With the last Jaguar E-Type, which was established in September 1974 Jaguar was the market for roadster sports car, watching the British car industry was known for brands such as Jaguar, Triumph and MG, on. New legal framework, particularly in the U.S., led Jaguar to favor the development of a comfortable coupe versus a roadster. The lines of the XJ -S developed based on the XJ saloon and provided with the V12 engine from the E -Type Series III at the time was rather controversial. It took some time until the XJ -S was from the shadow of his ancestors, the Jaguar E-Type, go out and was recognized as an independent, self-willed and avant-garde design creation and appreciated.
Models
XJ -S ("Pre- U ", 1975-1981 )
In September 1975 at the IAA in Frankfurt, the XJ - S, which was based on the XJ Series II ( the wheelbase was 2.59 meters by about 25 cm shorter than the sedan XJ 12), closed 2 2 seater body and the V12 engine in at the time was ready for series injection version. His form was demonstrated to windschlüpfiger than that of the now outmoded E-Type, but also bulkier and much heavier than the E-Type V12 2 2. The XJ -S was at that time the most expensive in the Jaguar model range, and Jaguar was hoped to be able to win with this model purchasers of luxury brands such as Maserati and Ferrari. Compared to models like the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes -Benz SL-Class, the XJ -S gasoline consumption was faster, but also much higher. For this, however, he was distinguished by an excellent road holding and proved in this model segment has a very unique character. The XJ -S was only available with the 5.3 liter V12 with 211 kW ( 287 hp). There were a three-speed automatic transmission and a four-speed manual transmission option (the latter to about 1978 world only in a quantity of 352 copies produced). To date, very few roadworthy examples from the era from 1975 to 1981 have been preserved. Became famous for this model also by the successful British television series The Saint - A gentleman with a halo (1978-1979), in which Ian Ogilvy as Simon Templar a white XJ -S with the registration ST-1 was driving.
XJ -S H.E. (1981-1991)
After in 1980 the production of just over 1000 cars had reached a low point, was thinking about the short-term cessation of production. Under the new Jaguar boss John Egan was, however, decided to revise the XJ -S and offer additional versions, including a customer for a long time favored convertible.
Already in the summer of 1981 the car was fitted with a modern fuel injection system, which brought the engine to 220 kW ( 299 hp). In addition, found the new HE- cylinder head ( High Efficiency) use, which contributed to a reduction in fuel consumption by more than twenty percent. The performance has now given with 217 kW ( 295 hp). Apart from slight cosmetic changes ( wood inserts on the dashboard, less bulky bumpers with a chrome bar at the top ) and the quality has been significantly improved, which led to a noticeable increase in sales. The highest production rates throughout the XJ-S/XJS Model history were achieved in the years 1988 and 1989, with over 10,000 vehicles built annually.
XJ -S 3.6 ( 1983-1991 )
In the XJ -S came in the spring of 1983, the first time the successor to the legendary, almost forty year old XK six-cylinder engine used. It was a AJ6 engine, a 3.6 - liter inline six-cylinder with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder (221 hp) 163 kW and made with a five-speed manual Getrag brand a top speed of 225 km / h reached. Due to the injection valve and the technique of consumption was lower than the old engine. This version is especially rare. In addition to the manual it gave on request from 1987, a four-speed automatic transmission from ZF. As of the 1989 model year, the XJ -S was available only with a regulated three-way catalytic converter, whereby the power to 147 kW ( 198 hp ECE ) decreased.
XJ -SC 3.6, XJ -SC H.E. and XJ -S Convertible (1983-1991)
In the fall of 1983, the XJ -SC was introduced, a convertible with the Targa roof and foldable rear window - for now only with the new six-cylinder, starting in 1985 with the V12. The reconstruction of the bodies was quite cumbersome organized and made the round- forth transport between several plants necessary. The clientele longed course for a " clipless " Convertible, it was only as a subsequent conversion to Hess & Eisenhardt in USA, Lynx in England and Arden in Germany. In SC there was a transition model, since you worked at Jaguar trying to develop a warp-resistant full convertible based on the XJ -S. In February 1988, the XJ -S Convertible was presented with a V12 engine.
The XJ -SC was not well received. Both the press and the market did not see him as a full convertible. In test reports have repeatedly pointed to the " absurdity " of the roof construction.
XJR -S (1988-1993)
Starting in 1982, the XJ- S was successful from the team Tom Walkinshaw Racing ( TWR short ) used in the European Touring Car Championship and won the league title in 1984 - an honor which was the predecessor XK and E-type remained always denied. TWR offered since 1984 to a quite distinctive bodykit for the XJ -S.
Using this accessory was created in the spring of 1988 in England the production model XJR- S, which was technically identical to the XJ -S V12. The introduction of this model was celebrated with a limited edition of 50 copies special version Le Mans ( TWR had there shortly before the victory won by the Jaguar XJR -9). The aerodynamic kits were still available for production cars and in that time many derivatives created by third-party companies. In 1991, the optical changes of the facelifts were adopted for the series models and at the same time introduced a standard developed by TWR 6.0-liter V12. This engine was not the same as used by Jaguar from 1993 6.0-liter V12 that had a different cylinder head. The German version of the XJR -S made 243 kW ( 330 hp ), achieved a top speed of 254 km / h and had a three-speed automatic. They remained until the spring of 1993 in the program.
XJS (1991-1996)
The XJ -S was completely revised in May 1991 and now offered under the name " XJS ". In 1988 was completed in a thoroughly revised version of the Jaguar XJ -S internally, but was transferred for financial reasons ( sale of existing stocks ) only from 1991 to 1993 progressively entered series production. The complete conversion cost a total of about 50 million pounds. The most noticeable change to the exterior of the new XJS were new tail lights in a rectangular shape and the rear side windows.
Under the body much was re-designed to simplify the production of larger sheets and to reduce costs. Interior was designed cockpit with new instrument dials. To distinguish it from older XJ -S versions of these younger models are usually referred to as a " facelift ".
The new XJS was initially offered as a coupe with the 4.0-liter six-cylinder with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic and as Coupé or Convertible with the 5.3- liter V12 with GM400 three- speed automatic.
In spring 1993, the displacement of the V12 has been increased from 5.3 to 6.0 liters. He now made 222 kW ( 302 hp). The XJS V12 was equipped with a modern four-speed automatic from General Motors. The new engine of the XJR- S was superfluous with its differently designed 6.0-liter V12. The top speed for the revised coupe was 260 km / h for the Cabriolet at 257 km / h Both vehicles were not limited.
For the model year 1993, the chrome bumpers were replaced with far -reaching downward, body-color plastic bumpers and installed modified door locks and latches. The use of new components was not on a specific date instead, but was based on the remnants of the old parts still in storage so that many transition models can be found. This period also saw the installation of the rear axle out of the limo dropped, so that the XJS so possessed inner disc brakes no more. A driver found its way, from the fall of 1993, a passenger airbag. The Convertibles accounted for the lockable storage space behind the seats in favor of a second, previously available only as a special reconstruction at Arden Bench, and the dashboard has been slightly revised in the center console area. The cars of this model years are external to the 5 -spoke rims or BBS cross-spoke wheels (optional), as well as on the flat, side indicator on the fender to detect.
Also in this production period was the special equipment " Insignia ", which was also available for the sedan. For a five-figure price more, the interior has been upgraded including through a full leather equipment. Vehicles with this equipment are extremely rare.
In July 1994, the leather interior for the 1995 model year was modified. When V12 ruffled leather has been processed, the backs of the seats were covered with leather, and on the doors accounted for the chrome trim and the carpet application. Although the Insignia equipment was not available now, corresponded to the interior of the V12 models from the missing leather applications on the A -pillar and the dashboard of this equipment line.
The AJ6 machine with 163 kW ( 222 hp) was from July 1994 replaced by a new AJ16 engine that came in the newly introduced sedan used. This was the development of the AJ6 and made the XJS is now 171 kW (233 hp). The maximum speed was 237 km / h for the coupé and 234 km / h for the Cabriolet. Externally, the vehicles of this construction area to the lack glued side stripes as well as the body-colored outside mirrors and headlamp surrounds can be seen. Furthermore, all six cylinders of this construction were equipped only with the known 5 -spoke rims.
As of mid- 1995, the XJS was exclusively in the "Celebration" equipment, in memory of 60 years earlier first use of the name Jaguar, available. Now there were again plated mirror and headlight surrounds and almost completely flat rims. The interior has been upgraded with a part - wood steering wheel and an automatic selector lever made of wood. The V12 was in 1995 no longer listed in the price list and was only built on demand, so it is not officially available in the "Celebration" equipment, however, was even slightly better equipped with its extensive leather trim.
The last XJS both engines with construction period from the fall of 1995 are indicated by a black hand brake lever that was not chrome and in this form was used also in the successor model XK8 and Aston Martin DB7 in.
Even in the last year of production in 1996 more than 3,000 XJS models were after the successor XK8 was already announced shipped. The last V12 left in January 1996, the work, the last with 4.0 -liter engine in April 1996.
Special bodies
- At the beginning of the 1980s designed a Jaguar Daimler version of the XJ -S. Apart from the brand's typical radiator grille - - As an essential difference from the basic model of the Jaguar XJ -S had a tight notchback with steeply angled rear window. The rear roof line similar to that of the later XJ -SC. Series production of the Jaguar XJ -S did not materialize. There was only a single vehicle, which is in the car museum of Coventry today.
- Lynx Motors in East Surrey presented from 1983 to 1996 the Lynx Eventer ago, a well -respected as a high-quality reconstruction of the XJS coupe in a three-door sport wagon. In 14 years created 67 vehicles.
- Arden automotive set - apart from drivenly modified models - a number of vehicles here, which had separate roof structures. This included the Arden AJ 2B (a full convertible ), the AJ3 ( a sport wagon in the style of the Lynx Eventer ) and the AJ6 ( a coupe with a fixed notchback that the Jaguar XJ -S was similar ).
The XJ-S/XJS today
In today's street image, the XJ -S is rarely found 15 years after its production end to very rare. This is due to the fact that the built volumes are relatively low, that XJ-S owners rarely use the other it as an everyday car. The Market for Used XJ -S is still relatively large and denote the supply of spare parts as well. While almost all spare parts can be purchased directly from the Jaguar dealer for the younger years of construction, must be in the older models partly to private sellers or on specialized companies, most of them in the U.S. or UK, be used. Almost exclusively HE models from model year 1981 and facelift models are available from model year 1992 on the European second-hand market today. In purchasing an XJ -S is relatively low, which is not necessarily true for the upkeep. The open versions XJ -S are usually more expensive than the coupe versions. The current market prices start at about 3000 EUR for older coupes from the 80s and reach over 35,000 EUR for very well-preserved Convertibles built between 1994-1996. The vehicles in the last years of construction were processed high quality and are very popular today especially as Convertibles in the 2 2 version and are considered stable.
In recent years, the demand for younger facelift models in Europe was satisfied by U.S. imports, their art, however, does not correspond to the versions sold in Europe ( exhaust and motor control) and their engines provide a slightly lower performance. Externally, the U.S. models at the third brake light, the lack of turn signals in the fenders are ( here Jaguar emblem), the rear spoiler when V12 Convertible as well as the other speedometer recognizable.