2018 JAGUAR XJR 1978 JAGUAR XJ C VS
Jaguar has brought the XJ production line to a halt. Time for a 20-cylinder send-off
ISN’T THE JAGUAR XJ OFF SALE NOW?
Yep, Jaguar has stopped XJ production to make way for a brand-new, fully electric alternative. That could be a wondrous thing, but our hearts are nonetheless broken because it means that the V8-powered XJR is no more. If ever there was an excuse for one last blast... and with the XJ C, its great great grandad, for some context.
SO WHAT HAVE WE GOT?
On the left, the XJR575 with as much metric horsepower as its name suggests. It’s the most powerful XJ ever sold and the big limo at its punchiest. I’d have one of these over the current BMW M5, I’m such a big fan. On the right, the XJ 5.3C, a V12 version of the outstandingly pretty two-door Series 2 XJ, made over a relatively small run in the Seventies.
IS THE XJ C AS LOVELY AS IT LOOKS?
First impressions aren’t unlike a modern Rolls-Royce Wraith, a coupe that dissolves your stress with its pillowy ride and an engine so quiet and silky, you’d swear it was a single-speed electric powertrain. An unintentional preview of the future, there. There’s a great chassis crying out for its chance to shine, though, and the XJ C makes a mockery of its 1.9-tonne kerbweight by cornering keenly and seeming to resist the turbulent understeer you’d expect from a car of its vintage with so much cubic capacity up front. The V12’s smoothness (and its modest 285bhp) may not allow the XJ C to build speed suddenly, but once you’re travelling at a reasonable lick, it’s so easy to hustle along, losing none of your momentum.
WHAT ABOUT THE NEWER CAR?
It doesn’t put its near-600bhp to the ground with anything like the metered accuracy of a BMW M5 or AMG E63, but then neither does it employ the clever AWD its German rivals now favour. Which means it’s more of a hoodlum. At lower speeds, though, the 575 does a surprisingly good impression of the old XJ C, despite its five-inch larger alloy wheels wearing half the sidewall. The ride is firm and the steering sharp, yet if you stay calm this is still a cosseting place to be. Its supercharged V8 can even stay hushed.
CAN STAY HUSHED?
Well, just try resisting prodding through into its various dynamic modes to unleash its full savagery. Yet the 575 is an unwaveringly classy car, its three different driving modes and eight gears giving you options of how muted (or not) you want its behaviour to be. It’s a unique, wonderful proposition; a wilder ride than those Germans, but with better manners when asked. It drives like a sports car but relieves stress like a limo. Much like the XJ C it’s shared a road with today. I’m certain it’ll be remembered with similar reverence.