Jaguar XJR Sport 4.0

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The story of the XJR starts with TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) who were already involved with the racing side of Jaguar Cars Ltd. TWR had been producing modified XJS and XJ40 models under their Jaguar Sport brand, using specially tuned engines, modified power steering, body kits and special alloy wheels.

Keen to capture a younger market for the brand by offering sportier versions of their cars, Jaguar teamed up with TWR in 1988, the first project being based on a modified 3.6-litre XJ6 saloon that was badged as an XJR. Aside from the body kit, the car also featured quad style halogen headlamps, uprated suspension with Bilstein dampers and a thicker anti-roll bar, a limited slip differential and re-valved power steering for sharper feel and responsiveness.

The interior was also uprated with leather door trim and armrests, Momo leather covered steering wheel, body-coloured seat piping and richer box inlaid veneers as found in the more upmarket Daimler models.

Replacing the 3.6-litre XJR in 1989 was a 4-litre version with the newly introduced AJ6 engine. This had all the same upgrades as the 3.6 but also a tuned engine with a re-profiled camshaft, improved top end breathing, a freer flowing exhaust and a remapped engine management system. This raised the power to 251bhp giving the automatic version a 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 147mph.

After just a few months the XJR 4.0 was modified yet again with a more integrated body kit, square headlamps, less exterior chrome and a slightly less powerful engine due to the fitment of a catalyst exhaust system to comply with tougher emissions regulations. By 1994 Jaguar brought the production of the XJR fully in-house with the launch of the X300 version and the TWR link was severed.

Dating from May 1990, this particular XJR is one of the rare non-catalysed 4-litre models. Presented in Cranberry Red with a cream hide interior piped in red, it has covered some 91,200 miles with 14 service stamps to date, the last at 84,888 miles in February 2011. Clearly a much-cherished machine, a large file of bills shows that almost £14,000 has been invested in the car since 1995. Said to be in good condition all round and to drive well, it is MOTd until February 2015 with no advisories recorded.