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Jaguar XJ (XJ40)

xj40_02

More than 10  years in the making, the XJ40 was Jaguar’s bold leap into the 1980s… however, the rest of the industry was already looking forward to the 1990s.  The XJ40’s development was dogged by external political pressures, and thwarted by policy changes… and yet, the end product lived up to the great marques core values.

The matter of the original XJ6’s replacement is treated as a priority in the early 1970s, and it is decided even at this early stage to ensure that all of the marque’s strong values are incorporated in the new car. The XJ40 project was formalised during a meeting between Raymond ‘Lofty’ England and Bob Knight, on 1 October 1972, and it is this event that really marks the beginning of a new era at Jaguar. Few would imagine that this car would undergo a protracted development programme, which would result in the car being launched in 1986 – with a development of this car in production, and highly regarded, at the turn of the 21st century.

Reviews, blogs and news stories

 

Development story

The cars : Jaguar XJ40 development story

4 May 2020 Keith Adams 23

More than a decade in the making, the Jaguar XJ40 was Browns Lane’s bold leap into the 1980s… However, the rest of the industry was already looking forward to the […]

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Concepts and prototypes

Concepts and prototypes : Jaguar XJ41/XJ42 (1982-1990)

29 March 2021 Keith Adams 23

The idea of producing a new Jaguar F-Type was on the back-burner for a long time. This attempt dates back to the 1980s, and went under the codename XJ41/XJ42. They […]

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Austin Allegro (ADO67)

Features : Urban myths and old wives’ tales

19 November 2017 Keith Adams 110

BL urban myths: there are lies and there are damned lies… Okay, so the products of BMC>MGR have not always been built or designed as well as they could have […]

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Concepts

Concepts and prototypes : Jaguar XJ40, part 1

1 October 2017 Keith Adams 4

The first full-sized XJ40 prototype appeared in 1973, yet it wasn’t until 1986 that it actually went on sale – is this the longest gestation period in BL’s history? Ian […]

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Concepts and prototypes

Concepts and prototypes : Jaguar XJ40, part 2

30 September 2017 Keith Adams 0

By 1977, the XJ40 style was all-but defined. It seems amazing to us now that it would take a further nine years for it to reach production. Ian Nicholls charts […]

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Jaguar Sovereign was a sublime drive. It still is...
Jaguar

Unsung Heroes : Jaguar XJ40

12 February 2012 Keith Adams 72

Keith Adams celebrates yet another car that currently resides in the doldrums of the Bangernomics world But the Jaguar XJ40 was possibly the best car in the world when it […]

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Development story

The cars : Jaguar X300/X308 development story

23 July 2011 Ian Nicholls 42

With Ford’s money behind it, Jaguar was going places during the early-1990s – and the X300 was a clear indication that Uncle Henry wanted the best for the Leaping Cat, […]

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Car of the Month

Car of the Month : May 2006

1 May 2006 Keith Adams 0

WE all love the Jaguar XJ40 around here – there’s a Jaguarness that sets it apart from its executive car contemporaries, but there’s just a teensy-weensy bit of BL in […]

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Jaguar XJ (XJ40)

Long term test : Jaguar Sovereign

7 January 2006 Keith Adams 7

Launched in 1986, the Jaguar XJ40 was the result of an extremely extended gestation period beginning in 1972… A fully-loaded executive car, the first product of the revitalised Jaguar Car […]

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Jaguar XJ (XJ40)

Why we love the… Jaguar XJ40

17 August 2004 Keith Adams 0

James Copp-Taylor on the Jaguar XJ40… So, you’ve been driving the very best British 80’s executive motoring has to offer, you know all there is to know about un-reliable electrics, […]

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Archive

Archive : The Jaguar XJ6 4.0S tested

22 May 1994 Keith Adams 3

THE INDEPENDENT MOTORING / Auto Biography: The Jaguar XJ6 4.0.S in 0-60 seconds JOHN FORDHAM IF A Mercedes Benz purrs like a disk-drive, a Jaguar sounds like a high wind […]

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Archive

Archive : BL go-ahead for £90m new Jaguar project

15 October 1980 Keith Adams 0

By Peter Waymark The board of BL has given an important vote of confidence to Jaguar by, approving the concept of a new range of luxury saloons to come on […]

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Jaguar XJ40 styling model
Archive

Archive : XJ40 shown to BLMC management

26 October 1973 Keith Adams 0

JAGUAR – The XJ40 proposal shown to Lord Stokes and John Barber.

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Archive

Archive : Jaguar XJ40 in front of the board

21 June 1973 Keith Adams 0

JAGUAR BOARD MEETING Subject XJ40 Model “It has been decided to alter the clay styling model and this work is proceeding. Mr England congratulated Mr Knight on his efforts and […]

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Jaguar XJ40 styling models shown today
Archive

Archive : Jaguar XJ40

19 June 1973 Keith Adams 0

JAGUAR – XJ40 full scale models at Browns Lane.

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In the Spotlight

Press Comment : Jaguar looks to the future

by Clive Goldthorp in AROnline News 0

Howard Wheeldon, Birmingham Post, 13th July, 2009 XF in 2008, XJ in 2009 – two cars that between them will probably define the future success and viability of Jaguar Cars. Leave aside weak or non-existent [...]

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