Aside from the Rolls-Royce, the British automobile that has the greatest reputation on the American automotive market is the Jaguar.
It was in the years after World War II that a stunned Detroit viewed a low-slung Jaguar XK120 roadster making its debut on American shores. The Motor City isn’t stunned today, but it still looked with interest at the newly styled 1992 Jaguar XJS coupe and convertible, and the virtually unchanged Jaguar sedan models.
Jaguar actually has been in the American market since 1936, exporting just 889 cars before l940 to the United States. Appearance-wise, the Jaguar coupe and convertible follow the traditional theme of evolution not revolution. But there still are more than 1,200 new or modified components in these ’92 cars.
Beneath the bonnet, better known in this country as the hood, lurked a single-overhead-cam V-12. This is an engine that Jaguar has been producing since 1971. But for 1992, it was updated with a new electronic fuel management system. Engine refinements improved driveability, starting, and operational efficiency while the V-12 comes up to operating temperature.
At 5.3-liters of displacement, it produced 263 horsepower and 288 foot-pounds of torque. Jaguar didn’t quote speed figures, but predecessor XJS models were rated by independent road tests at around 150 miles per hour. Since its launch in 1975, the XJS has had classic styling. It is preserved in new body paneling that encompasses the trunk, rear fenders, doors, sills, and, in the coupe, the roof.
The low, wide look also was retained with a new grille, single unit headlamps with wipers, flared rocker panels, and wrap-around tail lights. In the coupe, a new glasshouse incorporates frameless door glass, new quarter window glass, and glazed front and rear windows.
The XJS always has been a proponent of fast touring in comfortable trappings.
What Junkies are Saying