In the sphere of automotive icons, they don’t come a lot more legendary than the Jaguar XJ series. It’s a British institution. For generations, the XJ6 and its assorted brethren have represented a touch of class in the everyday world; from the emergence of the Series 1 back in 1968 to the X351 of the modern era, the theme has been constant: sumptuously appointed three-box saloons with imposing proportions and lusty engines. And if the latter of those character traits is the one that really flicks your switch, it’ll be an XJR you’re wanting… because that one comes with a supercharged V8.
The generation of XJ we’re looking at here is what’s known as an X308 – the one that was sold between 1998-2003. Featuring a family of AJ-V8 motors and a superb independent rear suspension setup, this was the third and final evolution of the long-lived XJ40 platform, upgraded and enhanced for a twenty-first century audience. In full-fat XJR form, you get 370bhp from the supercharged 4.0-litre V8, 5G-Tronic automatic transmission borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, sports suspension, and a 0-62mph time of just 5.6-seconds. And all, naturally, in supremely cosseting luxury and splendour, as befits the standards of the XJ owner. It’s a bouncer in a Savile Row suit; devastating muscle wrapped up in impeccable elegance.
The idea of buying a ‘re-import’ Jaguar makes a lot of sense. These are cars which were built on the same production line as domestic-market Jags, with just a few changes to make them appropriate for their intended market (which, given that this XJR was built for Japan, essentially just ensures that all the spec option boxes are ticked). Japan is a superb climate for cars, because it’s generally warm and temperate without getting too scorching, and in the winter they don’t grit the roads – so a JDM import will usually be much more solid and untroubled by corrosion than a British counterpart of a similar vintage. The Japanese ‘shaken’ test (their equivalent to the MOT) is also extremely thorough. Essentially, a re-import usually comes with a decent chunk of peace-of-mind.
This XJR, a 2002 model, had been in Japan for its entire life until it was re-imported in April of this year. With low mileage, a full history file and excellent spec, it’s now ready for a new life in the UK!
The new V5 is present, showing that the car has been correctly UK-registered on April 1st 2021, with no former keepers in this country. The first date of registration is recorded as September 1st 2002. On arriving in Britain, the Jaguar was put through an MOT test on March 4th; initially failing on a lambda test, it was then adjusted and re-tested and passed with no advisories.
When a Japanese market car is re-imported, a few tasks need to be carried out, and this has all been done – the speedo is a MPH unit, showing the 44,000 miles once converted from KM. The dashboard language has also been switched to English.
Elsewhere in the file we find all of the original books and manuals, and the car comes with two spare keys.
There’s nothing quite like an XJ when it comes to leather-lined swankiness, and this XJR really is exceptional. Naturally there’s a little very gentle patination to the leather on the front seats, but the hide isn’t cracking or separating; indeed, the seat trim is all in very good order, and the seat electrics all work correctly too. This car is specced with dark wood trim which is all in superb condition with no signs of sun damage or lacquer peel. All of the dials work as they should, and there are no warning lights illuminated on the dash. Every button and switch we pressed did what it was supposed to do: the electric windows all work properly, as does the sunroof, the radio sounds great through its factory-option Alpine speakers and the air-conditioning blows ice-cold. The carpets are all extremely tidy, as are the door cards, and there’s no undue wear to the steering wheel or gear knob.
Inside the boot it’s impressively clean and tidy. The Jaguar CD changer and original warning triangle are in place, and so is the space-saver spare wheel which looks to have never been used. All in all, a beautifully presented interior in all-original condition. The only issue we’d highlight is that the headlining is loose at the rear of the car, although this shouldn’t be too arduous to re-affix.
The X308 is able to pull off the remarkable trick of being at once subtle and imposing; on the one hand, it can waft in an unassuming manner through metropolitan traffic without raising too many eyebrows, while on the other it’s an impressive and sizeable machine, limousine-like in its road presence. How does it do this? Because, while it’s large and severe, it’s also so well beloved of the public – everyone knows an XJ, and accepts it for what it is.
This car is in outstanding condition throughout. The paintwork is excellent, and every panel is arrow-straight with even shutlines. The body appears to be free from scratches and scuffs, dents, dings or stone-chips, evidence of a cherished and pampered existence. The light lenses and window glass are all good, and the correct trim and badging is all present.
Perhaps our favourite feature of the car is the wheels – a fabulous set of 18” OZ Racing Opera 2 split-rims, all of which are in excellent condition with no scuffs or kerbing. They wear Michelins on the front and Toyos on the rear, all with good tread.
It’s a formidable mechanical package in the XJR. The 4.0-litre V8 is a brawny entity in itself, but adding the supercharger really does make it hilariously good fun. A car this luxurious feels as if it has no right being this quick, and yet the performance is truly exhilarating. It’s clear that this car has always been looked after, and the comprehensive service history backs this up. Today the Jag runs like a dream, firing on the first turn of the key, idling evenly, and pulling strongly through the gears with that distinctive supercharger whine. The steering is precise, the brakes are strong, the suspension feels planted, it’s all very good indeed. And collectors will be pleased to note that the original Jaguar toolkit is tucked away in its hidey-hole under the bonnet, and has evidently never been opened!
The Appeal
The turn-of-the century XJR represents remarkably good value these days. Wrapped up in that timeless luxury saloon silhouette, you get all the toys you could ever need and beautifully trimmed seats of superlative comfort. Coupled with this, it’s a devastatingly rapid machine, although equally happy to be a quiet and relaxing cruiser if the situation demands. When looking at XJRs, buying a Japanese re-import makes a heck of a lot of sense. It will, by its very nature, have lived a far easier life in a much more forgiving climate, and the evidence is right here before you in this recently re-imported 2002 model: it feels like a car far, far younger, it drives like a dream, everything’s correct and original… why would you want to buy a new XJ, when this supercharged modern-classic is all the Jaguar you could ever wish for?
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2002 Jaguar XJR
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