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Photo of a Jaguar XJ

Jaguar XJ

1972 XJ12: 12 cylinders, four doors, and the world's fastest four seats at 225 km/h.12

Researched October 29, 2026 from 38 sources

At a glance

0300600
140–567 hpPower
07.515
4.2–10.7 s0–60 mph
0150300
183–300 km/hTop speed
0400800
297–700 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,720–1,955 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1513141516

Engine
2.0–6.0 L; I4, I6, V6, V8 and V12; turbo-diesel and supercharged options571213
Layout
Front-engine, RWD; AWD on the 2013 XJ supercharged V6410
Gearbox
4/5-speed manuals; 3–8-speed automatics; eight-speed XJ from 201345710
Built at
X350/X358: Browns Lane and Castle Bromwich, United Kingdom7

The story

Created to replace Jaguar's sprawling sedan range, the XJ spanned four basic platforms from 1968 to 2019. It became the flagship in 1970; the original was the last Jaguar sedan designed under Sir William Lyons.34

1968: XJ6 replaces a maze of sedans19681972: XJ12 reaches 225 km/h19721979: Pininfarina reshapes Series III19791986: XJ40 starts the second platform19861997: XJ8 debuts with V8 power19972003: Rivet-bonded aluminum changes the XJ20032009: Fourth platform breaks with tradition20092019: Production ends in 201920192021: Electric successor canceled before launch2021 Jaguar Mark 2 / 240 / 340: 1959–1969Jaguar Mark X / 420G: 1961–1970Jaguar XJ Series I (Series I): 1968–1973Jaguar XJ Series II (Series II): 1973–1979; South Africa to 1981Series IIJaguar XJ Series III (Series III): 1979–1992Series IIIJaguar XJ (XJ40) (XJ40 / XJ81): 1986–1994Jaguar XJ (X300) (X300): 1994–1997Jaguar XJ (X308) (X308): 1997–2003X308Jaguar XJ (X350 / X358) (X350 / X356 / X358): 2002–2009Jaguar XJ (X351) (X351): 2010–2019X351 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones456781718222425
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1959–1969Jaguar Mark 2 / 240 / 340
1961–1970Jaguar Mark X / 420G
1968–1973Jaguar XJ Series I (Series I)
1973–1979; South Africa to 1981Jaguar XJ Series II (Series II)
1979–1992Jaguar XJ Series III (Series III)
1986–1994Jaguar XJ (XJ40) (XJ40 / XJ81)
1994–1997Jaguar XJ (X300) (X300)
1997–2003Jaguar XJ (X308) (X308)
2002–2009Jaguar XJ (X350 / X358) (X350 / X356 / X358)
2010–2019Jaguar XJ (X351) (X351)
1968XJ6 replaces a maze of sedans
1972XJ12 reaches 225 km/h
1979Pininfarina reshapes Series III
1986XJ40 starts the second platform
1997XJ8 debuts with V8 power
2003Rivet-bonded aluminum changes the XJ
2009Fourth platform breaks with tradition
2019Production ends in 2019
2021Electric successor canceled before launch
  1. 1968

    XJ6 replaces a maze of sedans

    The XJ6 launches with 2.8 or 4.2 L XK sixes. Bob Knight develops its suspension; the 245 hp 4.2 L model reaches 200 km/h.3

  2. 1972

    XJ12 reaches 225 km/h

    A 5.3 L V12 makes the Series I XJ12 the fastest four-seater of its day; a longer wheelbase adds rear-passenger space.12

  3. 1979

    Pininfarina reshapes Series III

    A revised roofline brings more glass. The Series III's 4.2 L six and 5.3 L V12 use fuel injection; its 3.4 L six keeps carburetors.4

  4. 1986

    XJ40 starts the second platform

    Unveiled on October 8 with 2.9 and 3.6 L AJ6 sixes, the XJ40 later gains 4.0 and 3.2 L engines; the 6.0 L V12 XJ81 follows in 1993.5

  5. 1997

    XJ8 debuts with V8 power

    The XJ8 offers 3.2 and 4.0 L V8s, while a supercharged 4.0 L V8 gives the XJR 370 hp.678

  6. 2003

    Rivet-bonded aluminum changes the XJ

    The X350's bonded, riveted aluminum shell is 40% lighter and 50% stiffer than its predecessor. A 2.7 L twin-turbo V6 diesel joins in 2005.7

  7. 2009

    Fourth platform breaks with tradition

    Ian Callum's new XJ abandons repeated retro styling, pairing a coupe-inspired shape with aluminum construction.4910

  8. 2019

    Production ends in 2019

    The XJ's production run closes, ending a family that began in 1968 and spanned four basic platform generations.4

  9. 2021

    Electric successor canceled before launch

    The electric replacement is canceled after design and engineering are complete, prototypes built and road testing begun.11

Every generation

  • Jaguar Mark 2 / 240 / 340
    Jaguar Mark 2 / 240 / 3401959–1969
  • Jaguar Mark X / 420G
    Jaguar Mark X / 420G1961–1970
  • Jaguar XJ Series I
    Series I1968–1973
  • Jaguar XJ Series II
    Series II1973–1979; South Africa to 1981
  • Jaguar XJ Series III
    Series III1979–1992
  • Jaguar XJ (XJ40)
    XJ40 / XJ811986–1994
  • Jaguar XJ (X300)
    X3001994–1997
  • Jaguar XJ (X308)
    X3081997–2003
  • Jaguar XJ (X350 / X358)
    X350 / X356 / X3582002–2009
  • Jaguar XJ (X351)
    X3512010–2019

Power over the years

From 140 hp to 567 hp in 50 years.

0200400600 197019801990200020102020 hp 1968 · 140 hp · Series I XJ6 2.81972 · 265 hp · Series I XJ12 5.3 V121980 · 176 hp · Series III XJ6, fuel injection1986 · 221 hp · XJ40 3.6 AJ61994 · 321 hp · X300 XJR, supercharged AJ161998 · 370 hp · X308 XJR 4.0 supercharged V82003 · 395 hp · X350 XJR 4.2 supercharged V82005 · 201 hp · X350 TDVi 2.7 twin-turbo diesel2011 · 510 hp · XJ Supersport supercharged V82013 · 340 hp · US XJ 3.0 supercharged V62013 · 542 hp · X351 XJR, supercharged2018 · 567 hp · 2018MY XJR575 5.0 supercharged V8 567 hp 2018MY XJR575 5.0 supercharged V8 140 hp Series I XJ6 2.8
17810131415161718
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1968140Series I XJ6 2.8
1972265Series I XJ12 5.3 V12
1980176Series III XJ6, fuel injection
1986221XJ40 3.6 AJ6
1994321X300 XJR, supercharged AJ16
1998370X308 XJR 4.0 supercharged V8
2003395X350 XJR 4.2 supercharged V8
2005201X350 TDVi 2.7 twin-turbo diesel
2011510XJ Supersport supercharged V8
2013340US XJ 3.0 supercharged V6
2013542X351 XJR, supercharged
20185672018MY XJR575 5.0 supercharged V8

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Series I–III XJ6 / XJ12 and Daimler

    1968–1992

  • Standard

    XJ40 XJ6 / Sovereign / Sport / Gold

    1986–1994

  • Standard

    X300 XJ6 / Sport / Executive / Sovereign / XJ12

    1994–1997

  • Standard

    X350/X358 XJ6 / XJ8 / Sovereign / Vanden Plas

    2003–2009

  • Standard

    X351 Luxury / Premium Luxury / Portfolio / Supersport

    2010–2019

  • XJ40 JaguarSport XJR

    Performance

    XJ40 JaguarSport XJR

    1988–1994

  • XJR575

    Performance

    XJR575

    2018

    567 hp
  • XJ50

    Special

    XJ50

    2018

  • XJ40 Insignia / Majestic

    Special

    XJ40 Insignia / Majestic

  • Limited

    X308 XJR 100 (North America)

    2002

    370 hp

    270 built

  • Limited

    Super V8 Portfolio (US)

    2006

    400 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early cars: separate fuel caps sit on top of both rear fenders.4
  • Series III: front-door glass is one piece, without a separate quarter window.4
  • XJ40: a single wiper sweeps broadly across the windshield.5
  • X300: four round headlights flow into the sculpted hood.14
  • X351: wraparound rear glass and claw-like taillights.218

Year by year

  1. 1973–1974

    Series II raises the front bumper, shrinks the grille and adds an air inlet directly below the bumper.4

  2. 1979

    Series III adds Pininfarina's roofline, thicker rubber bumpers, flush handles, vertical grille bars and larger taillights with backup lights.4

  3. 1986 / 1994

    The 1986 XJ40 brings angular bodywork; the 1994 X300 restores pronounced hood brows above the headlights.51721

  4. 2006 / 2008 model years

    2006 deletes mid-door trim; 2008 adds faux front-fender vents, mirror indicators and a grille badge replacing the hood mascot.7

  5. 2010 (X351)

    X351 trades the traditional shape for a hatchback-like profile, wraparound rear window and claw-like taillights.218

  6. 2016 model year

    Larger, more upright grille; full LED headlights with twin J-Blade running lights; J-shaped rear-light graphics and oval exhaust tips.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Jaguar Mark X / 420G

    The Mark X/420G has a bulkier body; the original XJ6 is visibly more compact.22

  • Photo of a Jaguar XJ
    XJ
    Photo of a Jaguar 420
    Jaguar 420

    Jaguar 420

    Smaller than the original XJ6, with a square, divided grille and dummy horn grilles below the inner headlights.23

  • Photo of a Jaguar XJ
    XJ
    Photo of a Jaguar XF
    Jaguar XF

    Jaguar XF

    Twin J-Blade daytime lights identify the 2016 XJ; the XF had adopted related styling for 2012.1012

Against its rivals

  • BMW 740i (1995)

    XJ vs BMW 740i (1995)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    XJ8.1 s
    BMW 740i (1995)8.4 s
    21
  • Aston Martin Rapide

    XJ vs Aston Martin Rapide

    Power

    XJ470 hp
    Aston Martin Rapide470 hp
    16
  • Mercedes E63 AMG

    XJ vs Mercedes E63 AMG

    48–80 km/h, top gear lower is better

    XJ2.4 s
    Mercedes E63 AMG2.9 s
    16

Prices

Value today $5.1K–$30.5K323334

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K 19801990200020102020 Value today: $5,100–$30,500 1980 · $25,000 · US base, XJ6 Series III1995 · $56,178 · US base, XJ61995 · $61,788 · US as tested, XJ62006 · $115,995 · US base, Super V8 Portfolio2011 · $72,500 · US base, XJ2011 · $87,500 · US as tested, XJ Supercharged 2025 · $5,100 · 1982 XJ6, 83k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2025 · $18,000 · 1977 XJ6C, 74k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2025 · $19,000 · 2003 XJR R1, 58k miles, Bring a Trailer2025 · $30,500 · 2017 XJ Supercharged, 25k miles, Bring a Trailer2025 · $12,500 · 1972 XJ6, 4,500 miles shown (rolled over), Bring a Trailer2026 · $17,750 · 1972 XJ6 4.2, 36k mi shown, single-family, BaT2026 · $33,750 · 2002 XJR 100, 39k mi, 2 owners; brake vibration, BaT2026 · $15,250 · 2006 Super V8, 72k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $6,300 · 1995 XJ6, 67k miles, Bring a Trailer $33.8K BaT, 2026
715161920213132333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1980Price when new$25,000US base, XJ6 Series III
1995Price when new$56,178US base, XJ6
1995Price when new$61,788US as tested, XJ6
2006Price when new$115,995US base, Super V8 Portfolio
2011Price when new$72,500US base, XJ
2011Price when new$87,500US as tested, XJ Supercharged
2025Auction sale$5,1001982 XJ6, 83k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$18,0001977 XJ6C, 74k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$19,0002003 XJR R1, 58k miles, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$30,5002017 XJ Supercharged, 25k miles, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$12,5001972 XJ6, 4,500 miles shown (rolled over), Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$17,7501972 XJ6 4.2, 36k mi shown, single-family, BaT
2026Auction sale$33,7502002 XJR 100, 39k mi, 2 owners; brake vibration, BaT
2026Auction sale$15,2502006 Super V8, 72k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$6,3001995 XJ6, 67k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Value today$5,100–$30,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “The 225 km/h four-seater”
    • “The XJR575 reached 300 km/h”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 10 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Jaguar XJ Series 1: The Iconic Luxury Saloon That Redefined Performance jaguar.com
  2. XJ50 CELEBRATES FIVE DECADES OF JAGUAR'S LEGENDARY SALOON | JLR Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  3. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  4. Jaguar XJ - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Jaguar XJ (XJ40) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Jaguar XJ8 & XJR (1997-2003) — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  7. Jaguar XJ (X350) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. £10K V8 saloons - Jaguar XJR | evo evo.co.uk
  9. 'The old XJ was beautiful, but you have to move on' | The National thenationalnews.com
  10. 2013 Model Year Jaguar Cars | Jaguar Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  11. Electric Jaguar XJ plans axed at last minute | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. Jaguar XJ Resets the Standard for Luxury, Design and Dynamics | Jaguar 2024 Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  13. JAGUAR XJ 2018 MODEL YEAR | Jaguar Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  14. Jaguar Model Guides : 1968 - 1994 XJ Saloons | Jaguar Clubs of North America jcna.com
  15. Tested: 1980 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Embodies Silken Luxury caranddriver.com
  16. Jaguar XJ Review: 2011 Jaguar XJ Supercharged Test - Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  17. Wise Buyer: Jaguar XJ X300 1994-1997 practicalclassics.co.uk
  18. Used Jaguar XJ review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. 39k-Mile 2002 Jaguar XJR 100 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,750 on August 11, 2026 (Lot #257,191) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  20. 2006 Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio - First Look - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  21. 1995 Luxury Car Comparison Test: Hedonistic Hustle caranddriver.com
  22. Jaguar Mark X - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Jaguar 420 and Daimler Sovereign (1966–1969) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Jaguar S-Type (1963) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  26. From the Archive: 1993 Luxury Sedan Comparison Test caranddriver.com
  27. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  28. Jaguar XJ L | Bond Lifestyle jamesbondlifestyle.com
  29. Avengers Jaguar XJ12-C fetches £62,000 at auction. Steed would be pleased. | Cars UK carsuk.net
  30. Jaguar XJ For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
  31. 1972 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,750 on July 2, 2026 (Lot #250,583) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: One-Owner 1982 Jaguar XJ6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,100 on November 5, 2025 (Lot #218,315) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1995 Jaguar XJ6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,300 on June 14, 2026 (Lot #247,654) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 25k-Mile 2017 Jaguar XJ Supercharged for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $30,500 on August 26, 2025 (Lot #206,946) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 2006 Jaguar Super V8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,250 on June 24, 2026 (Lot #249,254) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 1977 Jaguar XJ6C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,000 on September 8, 2025 (Lot #208,982) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 2003 Jaguar XJR-R1 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,000 on September 2, 2025 (Lot #208,084) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 43-Years-Owned 1972 Jaguar XJ6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,500 on January 3, 2025 (Lot #176,219) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • jaguar.com
  • media.jlr.com
  • jaguarheritage.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • newcarnet.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • thenationalnews.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • jcna.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • practicalclassics.co.uk
  • bringatrailer.com
  • motortrend.com
  • jamesbondlifestyle.com

Photo credits

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