Jaguar XJL 2.0 Ti (X351)

 
What is probably the first write-up of a ‘new’ Jaguar here and certainly the most eye-catching new Jaguar at least to my eyes, is the Jaguar XJ. The Jaguar XJ (codenamed X351) is one of the first models to be rolled out by Jaguar since the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover by Tata Motors in 2008 (do check out an earlier write-up ‘The History of Jaguar’). Being a new model as well as being launched by the new owners, the XJ was certainly a car that had to impress its critics and its German competitors.

The new XJ came with a short wheel-base model as well as a long wheel-base model known as the XJL. The XJL, even in Malaysia is a more common sight when compared with its short wheel-base counterpart as it was launched before the shorter sibling. There are a number of engine variants available which include petrol as well as diesel. The smallest being the 2 litre petrol inline 4 turbo-charged up to the biggest which is the 5 litre V8 petrol super-charged. There were two transmission variants available which were the 6-speed automatic for the pre-2012 models and the 8-speed automatic for the post-2012 models.

The older XJ (left) and the newer XJ, more than 30 years apart

Design wise, it was the brainchild of renowned Jaguar designer Ian Callum. It was a totally new design away from all previous XJs with its curves and a swept-back rear. As the previous XJ, the new XJ also had a full aluminium body which kept the weight of the car low even though it was huge in size. The XJ also has an impressive interior which of course kept getting better with the higher specification models.

I personally was given an opportunity to feel this car thanks to a few good friends of mine. The model available to me was the 2014 XJL 2 litre petrol turbo-charged which featured the 8 speed automatic transmission. At first, I was a little sceptical about its power as though it was aluminium bodied, it was still a huge car with a relatively small 2 litre inline 4 engine in it. But after driving it and pushing it a little I had a different opinion almost immediately as it still possessed the roar in it being a Jaguar. All in it was a great car but I did miss one thing, which are its traditional gauges as this models comes with an LCD screen for its gauges. I’ve attached some pics below together with a video for you to have a closer look at it. 

The video

Classic Jaguar Wedding Rental

Check out our most famous Jaguar for rent, the well kept and well maintained Jaguar XJ6 Series III in our 'Cars for rent - Classic' page. Although a modern classic, it still has that Jaguar style. Do enquire on our very reasonable rates for the year end and beginning of 2015 wedding season. Do book early to avoid disappointments as we are quite busy during this season.

Jaguar XJ40

Many Jaguar enthusiasts will not call this particular model a true Jaguar. If you’re a Jaguar enthusiast I’m sure you know the model that I’m talking about is the Jaguar XJ40. The XJ40 featured many characteristics that were actually quite far from the classic Jaguar identity such as the square headlamps for the Daimler and Sovereign models (the low spec XJ6 models came with round lights) and not to mention it’s design itself which was quite boxy though it still maintained it’s sleekness. The XJ40 came in Jaguar as well as Daimler variants. The production years were from late 1986 up to 1994.

Being the model that succeeded the popular Jaguar Series III, the XJ40 certainly had a lot to live up to. It was initially introduced with a 2.9 litre and a 3.6 litre engine codenamed the AJ6 (it was a different design compared to the classic XK engines) and later they were replaced by the 3.2 litre and the 4 litre engines respectively. All these engines were inline six engines but there was also a rare 6 litre V12 engine available. I’ve personally driven a 4 litre and I must say it’s probably the best engine for the XJ40 as it has that ‘Jaguar’ roar whereas the other engines are a little underpowered.

As for the interior, the initial models right up to 1990 came with a digital display dashboard but was later changed to analogue meters as the digital displays were failure prone and were indeed very pricey to replace. Basically if you want to purchase one, it’s got to be done with a lot of care as many of these models tend to be not well maintained as this car is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The best models to purchase are the post-1990 models where it’s new parent company had done lost of quality improvements. Even my opposite neighbour who owns an ‘87 Sovereign has given up on the car after spending tonnes of money on it and now the car is literally sleeping being protected by a cover.

On a personal note, this is a car I don’t mind owning but of course if possible I’d like the Daimler variant. In Malaysia, you’ll be able to get good cars just below the RM 20k mark with some homework of course. And not forgetting, as an owner you need to maintain the car as well as pay the high road tax if it does not already qualify for the Classic road tax. Like I said, Jaguars are not for the faint-hearted.

 Below are three videos on the Jaguar XJ40 developments:

Jaguar Mk2

Jaguars will always be head turners no matter where you drive it. Don’t believe me? Then you just got to buy one and realise it... haha... Be it an old classic SS or the latest XJs. Well, here is another head turner, the Jaguar Mark2 or simply known as the Mk2. Prior to this I had done a write up about another classic Jaguar, the Jaguar Mk10. Well, the Mk2 is somewhat a smaller version of the Mk10. Probably one of the most common of all classic Jaguars around the world, the Mk2 was the successor to the short-lived Mk1 of which it also inherited it’s looks from.

Over the period of production between the years of 1959-1967 there were about 80,000 units built. The powerhouse for these models were the famous XK engines which came in 3 inline 6 engine variations  which included the 2.4 litre, the 3.4 litre and the biggest of all, the 3.8 litre. In Malaysia, owning a 3.4 litre or a 3.8 litre Mk2 is something to be amazed by as there are not many of these cars on the road as the most common models available are the 2.4 litre models. Automatic transmission cars are very very rare even around the world.

On a personal note, I like the Mk2 but I have to say compared to the Mk10, I’d go for the Mk10 anytime. The white car below is a Mk2 2.4 here in Malaysia and of course the last pic below shows my Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 as well... :) Notice the significant difference in both designs from two different eras about 20 years apart.

Updated Section - Cars for sale

We've updated the 'Cars for sale' page with a few cars. Do check back from time to time for updates.

Saturday Meet Up Session

I’m sure most of you would have had a good weekend especially for those Christians celebrating Good Friday and Easter. Me and a few friends decided to have a meet up for breakfast on Saturday morning just to bring our hobby cars out. Although they were mostly modified cars which included Toyota Supras, Honda Type-R, a Lancer GT as well as a well-modded Nissan Sentra, my Jaguar was the sole classic car to be present as I’m yet to get my modded car or super car (hoping to get one soon!! :p ).

It was a good day and the weather was great and of course we had a good time too. A breakfast which was supposed to take an hour took 3 hours, so naturally it was a time that we enjoyed. There are a few photos below of some of the cars present. Do enjoy although the quality is a little bad.

 The 2 cars used for my wedding. 

Toyota Supra as the groom's car and my Jaguar as the bride's car