A superb low-mileage example of JaguarSport's very special, hand-built, 6-litre XJR development, one of the last of the 115 cars ever produced.
One of the rarest of all XJS, the XJR-S was a special development by JaguarSport, a conjunction between Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw’s TWR. Owned 50/50 by both parties, JaguarSport was launched in 1988, and planned to produce the epitome of all things Jaguar, and with the XJR-S they certainly achieved that. Hand-built at JaguarSport in Kidlington by the TWR engineers who had worked on the XJ220. With the focus of the car not just being upon the unique engine fitted to those cars made post 1989, the chassis was developed to ensure this was the most competent it could be to handle the 160mph top speed from its V12 engine. Compared favourably to Italian and German competitors of the time, the work between Jaguar and TWR certainly ensured these of all XJS are the most sought-after.
The JaguarSport XJR-S may have looked similar to their production counterparts but differed immensely with many parts unique to the model and, of course, its 6-litre V12 engine. The engine was rated at 318bhp and was 700cc larger than the previous 5.3-litre V12. A modified intake system, Zytek engine management and a low-loss true dual exhaust system were part of the car’s advanced specification. The Hydramatic GM400 was modified with different 'changing points' to better suit the 6-litre car, and a Salisbury limited-slip differential was standard. The suspension was further-developed by TWR with increased coil spring rates and the Bilstein shocks, front and rear, were specially tuned for the XJR-S.
Externally, the cars were modified with a subtly aggressive body kit, 16" 'Speedline' aerodynamic wheels and host of modifications inside included a bespoke Connolly Autolux leather interior and the steering wheel was made for JaguarSport by Momo of Milan. They were normally built to order, with cars being transported from Browns Lane to Kidlington to be hand-finished. At £45,500, it was £11,000 more than the 5.3 which explains why a little over 500 were made (115 in RHD) before production stopped in 1993 making them highly sought-after today.
This low-ownership, very low-mileage example comes with an excellent history file, detailing services from delivery in 1993 until 2005 with just a few periods of inactivity until it had covered 23,000 miles approximately. It has covered very few miles since that point, indeed only showing a touch over 29,500 miles at the time of cataloguing, having formed part of a large private collection for the last few years. Owned by our vendor since 2016, it's supplied with its original book-pack, tool roll and more, and a history file detailing relatively recent expenditure including brake pipe replacement, a power-steering refresh and some interior cosmetic work to ensure that the car remains at its best. With a fresh MOT and, at guide price that could only be described as sensible given the results for some recent XJS sales, this very special car is sure to create interest from collectors of the very best Jaguars.
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