1992 Jaguar XJR-S 6.0 Coupe

Description

Introduced at the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show, the XJ-S ushered in a new generation of Grand Touring motoring for Jaguar, combing elegant styling, superlative performance and exceptional luxury.  The XJ-S remained in production for the best part of two decades – testiment to both the inherent quality of the design and its enduring popularity.  Powered by the superbly refined and smoothly powerful 60-degree all-alloy V12 first seen in the ‘Series 3’ E-type, the XJ-S’s engine featured a single overhead camshaft per bank, fuel injection and developed 285 bhp, providing effortless performance.  The XJ-S was one of only a handful of production cars capable of reaching the magic 150mph (250 km/h) on sale in the mid-1970s – to go any faster one had to step up to supercars like the Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche Turbo or Latin exotica.  For those wanting even more exclusivity and power, Tom Walkinshaw Racing offered the TWR enhanced version of the XJ-S with a range of cosmetic and mechanical improvements.  Early 5.3 versions wore full body kits with colour-coded bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler along with distinctive Speedline alloy wheels and fatter rubber, while under the skin the V12 could be converted to 6-litres with a forged 80mm crankshaft, forged Cosworth pistons, connecting rods and cylinder liners plus cold air induction.  The ECU was re-mapped for more power and a custom TWR stainless steel exhaust system installed.  Other changes included revised power steering for better feel, Bilstein heavy duty shock absorbers and lowered suspension, plus upgraded brakes and the choice between a close-ratio ZF five-speed manual gearbox or revised ‘Trans-Go’ automatic transmission.  Capitalising on their success in winning Le Mans, Jaguar and TWR combined forces to create the all-new JaguarSport divison in 1988 and launched the 5.3 XJR-S that year, hand-assembled at the same Bloxham facility as the XJ220 supercar.  From September 1989 the XJR-S returned to a 6.0-litre capacity using Zytek fuel injection and the last of the series shared the updated styling by Geoff Lawson and revised interior found on the last of the line standard XJS range.  Boasting an output of 328 bhp at 5250rpm and 365 lb/ft of torque at 3650rpm, the 6.0 XJR-S was the most potent XJS to date, capable of a top speed in excess of 160 mph and was easily the most expensive production Jaguar available at the time.  JaguarSport built a total of 787 6.0 XJR-S coupes between 1989 and 1993 (with a further 50 convertibles), of which relatively few were specified in right-hand drive with the updated styling and these bespoke grand tourers are finally beginning to receive the recognition they have always deserved.