The Sleek Jaguar Sedan That Was The Epitome Of ’80s Luxury – SlashGear

There were two varieties of Series III XJ: the inline-6-powered XJ6 and the V12-powered XJ12 (because most things are better with a V12). The Jaguar was more refined and dignified than its American counterparts, like a gaudy Chrysler or Lincoln, or German competitors, like a wacky BMW. Not to say the Jag is boring, but it’s more akin to a thoughtfully opposed piece of music on the piano than a wailing guitar solo in a Van Halen song. The Jaguar wasn’t slow either, not by a long shot. 

According to a Car and Driver review of a 1980 model year XJ6, the XJ wafted along at high speeds and ate up miles without complaint as the speedometer approached triple digits. The driver’s seat was supportive and well-appointed, more like the command seat on a yacht than the cockpit of a fighter jet. 

In its base $25,000 (over $90,700 in 2023) configuration, the XJ was powered by a 4.2-liter inline-6 that generated a stout 200 horsepower at the most and could reach 128 miles per hour. The 5.3-liter V12 boasted 285 brake horsepower and topped 147 miles per hour. Despite the extra power, the V12s were notoriously difficult to maintain and today are extremely rare in the United States.