Production years: 1986 - 1994

Jaguar’s all new saloon for the late 1980s still carried the XJ insignia but heralded new technologies and increased sales.Jaguar had for some time been working on a replacement for the long-term production XJ6 and XJ12 Series models and the car (coded XJ40) was to be the most tested and developed model the company had produced up to that time.

An entirely new body style and design was created with 25% less panels than the previous model. Typically for the period, of a more angular style, the car still retained important Jaguar touches both externally and internally but all was new. Powered by the 3.6 litre AJ6 engine (previously introduced in the XJ-S), an addition was a new 2.9 litre 6-cylinder engine derived from half the V12 unit. Available in a range of standard XJ6, Jaguar Sovereign or Daimler models, the car was voted car of the year and sales blossomed.

In 1990 the 3.6 litre engine was supplanted by the 4.0 litre version and a year later the 2.9 litre models were replaced by 3.2 litre versions of the AJ6 unit. By 1993 Jaguar had re-designed the XJ40 to accommodate the 6.0 litre V12 engine and in 1994 a range of new additional models were aimed at a younger audience, the XJ6 Sport and the XJ6 Gold. A few longer wheelbase Majestic models were also produced.

The XJ40 was a very important model for the company as it revitalised sales of the saloon range and helped achieve the highest annual sales to date in 1989 with over 50,000 units being sold. The XJ40 left production in 1994.

Model Summary

Model Type:

XJ40 Saloons

Production Dates:

1986 - 1994

Engine Range:

2.9 Litre

3.6 Litre

4.0 Litre

6.0 Litre

0 - 60 mph:

2.9 Litre - 10.8 seconds

3.6 Litre - 7.4 seconds

4.0 Litre - 7.1 seconds

6.0 Litre - 6.8

Top Speed:

2.9 Litre - 118 mph

3.6 Litre - 135 mph

4.0 Litre - 138 mph

6.0 Litre - 155 mph

XJ40 Saloons Technical Specifications

Technical Information

Engine Statistics

  2.9 Litre
Engine (cc) 2919
Bore and Stroke (mm) 91 x 74.8
Compression Ratio 12.6:1
BHP 165
@ RPM 5600
Torque (lb ft) 176
@ RPM 4000
Fuelling Fuel-injection
  3.6 Litre
Engine (cc) 3590
Bore and Stroke (mm) 91 x 92
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
BHP 221
@ RPM 5000
Torque (lb ft) 249
@ RPM 4000
Fuelling Fuel-injection
  4.0 Litre
Engine (cc) 3980
Bore and Stroke (mm) 91 x 102
Compression Ratio 9.5:1
BHP 235
@ RPM 4750
Torque (lb ft) 285
@ RPM 3750
Fuelling Fuel-injection
  6.0 Litre
Engine (cc) 5993
Bore and Stroke (mm) 90 x 78.5
Compression Ratio 11:1
BHP 318
@ RPM 5400
Torque (lb ft) 342
@ RPM 3750
Fuelling Fuel-injection

Engine Performance

  2.9 Litre
Top Speed 118 mph
0 - 60 mph 10.8 seconds
Fuel Consumption 19.8 mpg
  3.6 Litre
Top Speed 135 mph
0 - 60 mph 7.4 seconds
Fuel Consumption 18.7 mpg
  4.0 Litre
Top Speed 138 mph
0 - 60 mph 7.1 seconds
Fuel Consumption 19 mpg
  6.0 Litre
Top Speed 155 mph
0 - 60 mph 6.8
Fuel Consumption 12.9 mpg

Model Specifications

  2.9 Litre
Transmission Getrag 5-speed synchro ZF 4-speed auto
Wheel Size (in) TD Metric alloys, later 15in alloys
Suspension (Front) Ind twin wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear) Ind lower transverse wishbones. driveshafts upper link, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes 4-wheel disc, ventilated front
  3.6 Litre
Transmission Getrag 5-speed synchro ZF 4-speed auto
Wheel Size (in) TD Metric alloys, later 15in alloys
Suspension (Front) Ind twin wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear) Ind lower transverse wishbones. driveshafts upper link, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes 4-wheel disc, ventilated front
  4.0 Litre
Transmission Getrag 5-speed synchro electric ZF 4-speed auto (switchable sport mode)
Wheel Size (in) TD Metricalloys, later 15/16in alloys
Suspension (Front) Ind twin wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear) Ind lower transverse wishbones. driveshafts upper link, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes 4-wheel disc, ventilated front
  6.0 Litre
Transmission GM 400LME
Wheel Size (in) Jaguar 16 inch alloys, Daimler 15/16in alloys
Suspension (Front) Ind twin wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear) Ind lower transverse wishbones. driveshafts upper link, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes 4-wheel disc, ventilated front

Model Dimensions

  2.9 Litre
Length (in) 196.4
Width (in) 79
Height (in) 54.25
Wheelbase (in) 113
Front Track (in) 59
Rear Track (in) 59
Weight (Cwt) 19.1
  3.6 Litre
Length (in) 196.4
Width (in) 79
Height (in) 54.25
Wheelbase (in) 113
Front Track (in) 59
Rear Track (in) 59
Weight (Cwt) 19.1
  4.0 Litre
Length (in) 196.4
Width (in) 79
Height (in) 54.25
Wheelbase (in) 113
Front Track (in) 59
Rear Track (in) 59
Weight (Cwt) 20.4
  6.0 Litre
Length (in) 196.4
Width (in) 79
Height (in) 54.25
Wheelbase (in) 113
Front Track (in) 59
Rear Track (in) 59
Weight (Cwt) 21.6

Optional Extras

  • Side body mouldings painted to body colour
  • Black rubber/chrome side body mouldings incorporated Jaguar logo
  • Fog/spot lights mounted within front valance (standard on some models)
  • Enhanced radio/cassette system
  • Mud flaps
  • Cloth/tweed upholstery alternative to leather upholstered cars
  • Leather upholstery alternative to cloth/tweed upholstered cars
  • Whitewall tyres (post 1992 US cars only)
  • Cruise control (where not fitted as standard)
  • Integrated hi-fi system with CD player
  • Roof-rack system with specialist fittings for skis, luggage box, etc
  • Wood veneer gear knob
  • Sheepskin over-rugs for non-Daimler/Vanden Plas models
  • Child's safety belt
  • Child's booster cushion
  • First-aid kit for boot area
  • Spacer-saver spare wheel
  • Fire extinguisher for boot area
  • Jaguar warning triangle
  • Headlamp converters
  • Headlamp safety covers
  • Roof box
  • Mobile telephone kits
  • Sports suspension option (where not standard)
  • Stainless steel door edge guards
  • Electrically operated sunroof (non-Daimler/Vanden Plas models)
  • Wind deflector for sunroof
  • Rear screen blinds
  • Snow chains
  • Electrically operated boot-mounted cooler box
  • Luggage net for boot area
  • Witter tow bar kit
  • Cup-holders for forward centre console area
  • Heated windscreen
  • Ultrasonic intrusion security system
  • Tool kit (later model cars not equipped as standard)
  • Sports suspension handling kit
  • 15in lattice alloy wheels
  • 16in lattice alloy wheels
  • 16in five-spoke eggshell or silver alloy wheels
  • 15in radial alloy wheels
  • 15in teardrop metric or later non-metric alloy wheels
  • 16in Speedline alloy wheels
  • 16in ventilated Speedline allow wheels with exposed wheel nuts
  • 16in diamond-turned 20-spoke alloy wheels
  • 16in Aero alloy wheels
  • 16in Kiwi diamond-turned alloy wheels
  • 15in Roulette alloy wheels
  • Air-conditioning (non-equipped cars)
  • Rear seat headrests
  • Heated door lock barrels
  • Limited-slip differential
  • Ride-height rear suspension leveling systems
  • Eight-way front adjustable seats
  • Heated front seats
Xj12 6 0 Litre Saloon
Xj6 Sport

Model Contacts

Henry Smith

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