When the Jaguar XJS debuted in 1975, it had an impossible task,  to follow the legendary E-Type. Instead of chasing the same lightweight sports car formula, Jaguar aimed for something grander: a luxurious grand tourer designed to cross continents in comfort and silence. By 1986, the XJS had evolved into a refined expression of British GT motoring, blending long-haul performance with unmistakable elegance.

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Under the hood, the 1986 XJS was typically powered by Jaguar’s 5.3-litre HE (High Efficiency) V12 engine, an engineering statement of the time, smooth, powerful, and surprisingly efficient for its size. Producing around 295 horsepower and 432 Nm of torque, it was capable of effortless high-speed cruising, often paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission. The car rode on independent suspension all around, with rear inboard disc brakes, a classic Jaguar hallmark meant to reduce unsprung weight.

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The XJS was built on the XJ-S platform, sharing much of its chassis with Jaguar’s XJ saloons, which contributed to its exceptional ride comfort and stability. Despite criticism for its styling when new the flying buttresses were considered controversial, the design has aged gracefully, embodying the sophistication of the late '70s and '80s era of luxury motoring.

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Inside, the XJS was pure British opulence, walnut veneer, Connolly leather, and plush carpeting came standard. The 1986 models also saw reliability and refinement improvements after early production issues had been ironed out.

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Today, the XJS is celebrated as a charming and undervalued classic, known for its combination of a silky V12 soundtrack, art deco proportions, and grand touring comfort, a reminder of when Jaguar built cars for elegance over aggression.

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