1996model Jaguar XJ6 X300 3.2 Select

Enthusiasts and beyond, the quintessential British Victorian elegance, hailed loudly as the “most reliable Jaguar” worldwide today, is the true essence of the X300 series! The XJ series, which revitalized Jaguar Cars, achieved its greatest success through this relentless pursuit of “reliability improvement”!

Not only enthusiasts but also successive UK Prime Ministers, from the 1990s onwards—Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson—all adopted the X300 series as their “official Prime Ministerial cars,” attesting to its stature. The X300 XJ series aimed to express the improvement in the reliability of British cars in the new era, not only domestically but globally, truly changing the history of British Jaguars.

Against the backdrop of Coventry Jaguars, which had languished in a long period of negligence spanning half a century, losing serious appreciation for “design and craftsmanship” and facing uncontrollable financial outflows, the entry into Ford Motor Company’s umbrella in 1989 became inevitable.

In this context, to revitalize Jaguar Cars, the XJ X300 series, produced under Ford’s wing, embarked on manufacturing from July 1994 to June 1997, with themes centered around “improving manufacturing quality,” “enhancing reliability,” and “returning to traditional Jaguar styling.”

To overhaul the perception of Jaguar’s quality, the first initiative was to improve manufacturing quality, thus enhancing reliability. With a £200 million facility upgrade program by Ford, state-of-the-art robotic welding systems from Nissan were introduced in Coventry. This not only aimed to modernize production but also signaled the future direction of the British automotive industry post the Millennium.

Remarkably, Ford’s influence was most pronounced in the parts used, sourced through Ford’s procurement channels, featuring many Japanese components. Parts from Japan, such as the air conditioning system from Nippon Denso, the distributor-less electronic control engine management system also designed by the same company, and ignition modules from Denso, significantly contributed to the improved reliability.

The acquisition of reliability through the use of Japanese parts and the emphasis on returning to traditional Jaguar styling, led by design overhaul led by Jeff Lawson, played a crucial role in the revival of Jaguar’s commercial market. The almost flat hood of the previous XJ40, simple and easy to shape, was transformed into a curved design with flowing fluted lines, and the traditional quad independent round headlamps made a comeback.

The sleek design, creating the signature look of the XJ series, was skillfully reproduced. The previously chrome bumpers seamlessly transitioned into fully integrated body-colored bumpers, exuding a modern impression.

Even the naturally aspirated “AJ16” short-stroke 3.2 engine, generating ample power for a non-performance engine, was praised as the smoothest inline-six engine produced by Jaguar. The ZF-made 4HP-22 4-speed automatic gearbox, used specifically in the 3.2L variant, was devoid of electronic control, ensuring simplicity, durability, and garnering significant acclaim even a quarter of a century later.

In this backdrop, the X300 series, born to revive Jaguar Cars, produced 92,038 units in the span of three years from 1994. It stands as the most accomplished and trouble-free “masterpiece Jaguar” in the long history of Jaguar, highly appreciated by enthusiasts worldwide. The robust inline-six engine and the mechanically sound transmission, combined with the distinctive weight and unique suspension structure, offer the nostalgic “cat’s paw Jaguar ride” at any time, truly showcasing the essence of a British classic model.

The reliability issues that plagued British cars in the past have long faded away. Closing the heavy doors envelops the interior in silence. This highly committed “authentic space” has become a rarity in modern cars! Especially in the Japan-only “Select Model,” the now-defunct Connolly leather seats, noticeable in their thickness even by touch, are adorned. The hand-stitched seams add to the highest quality. The wood panels, discernibly thick even at a glance, stand out as exceptional compared to typical veneered panels. The rare walnut wood, carefully selected, with only a few percent featuring beautiful grain patterns, is used for the wood panels, surrounding the interior luxuriously as an accent wall.

Indulging in the unparalleled seats and operating Jaguar’s traditional “J-gate shifter,” now lost in modern models, one can enjoy the sedan-like comfort of the smooth six-cylinder engine, producing more than enough power even in the non-turbocharged version. Yet, drivers soon realize that the sports car-like handling and the bygone “cat’s paw Jaguar ride” transform it into a sporty drive.

It’s not just a typical four-door sedan. It offers a captivating worldview that makes you deeply understand, “Yes, this is Jaguar!” If those who read this seek “individuality and emotion” in a car, the XJ6 X300 series 3.2L will undoubtedly be the best vehicle for enthusiasts in any era!