Jaguar XJ6/Jaguar Sovereign (XJ40)/Jaguar XJ12 (XJ81). 1986–94 (prod. 208,733 incl. Daimler). 4-door saloon, 4-door long-wheelbase saloon. F/R, 2919 cm³ (I6 OHC), 3239, 3590, 3980 cm³ (I6 DOHC), 5994 cm³ (V12 OHC). Project started under Sir William Lyons in the 1970s finally bore fruit after Jaguar became independent of BL. Styling has 1970s touches—the Jaguar shape is squarer, losing Series III’s glory. New AJ6 engines develop 165 and 221 bhp (2·9- and 3·6-litre respectively) at launch, severing links with XK. Sovereign model name moved to Jaguar with this series. Upgraded in 1989 to 3·2- and 4-litre developing 200 and 235 bhp, with extra torque. XJ12 launched late—1993—with 60 new panels adapted to take the V12 engine. Lasted one year before X300 débuted.

Manufacturing location: Coventry, West Midlands, England

Marque: Jaguar | Model: Jaguar XJ | Predecessor: Jaguar XJ Series III | Successor: Jaguar X300, X305, X306

q.v. Daimler (XJ40), Daimler Double Six (XJ81)

Off-site links

• AROnline: Jaguar XJ40
• Jaguar XJ40: the Minder Jaguar
• Jaguar engine specifications