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An all-new XJ6 was unveiled in 1986 continuing with the XJ nomenclature but with a significantly different styling. It was known as the Jaguar XJ40. This new model was much more modern in appearance with a more angular, geometric shape. The front was designed to accommodate either a matched pair of round headlights or the rectangular single units fitted to US models and the upmarket Sovereign and Daimler models.
The XJ40 succeeded the Jaguar XJ Series 3 although the two models were sold concurrently until the Series 3 was discontinued in 1992. The redesign of the XJ6 began in the early 1970s but the project suffered a number of delays partly due to lack of funding and the 1973 oil crisis.
The XJ40 featured a new engine, the AJ6 inline-six replacing the classic but aging Jaguar XK engine used in earlier XJs. Initially, only two engines were offered - a 2.9 litre and 3.6 litre version of the XJ6 inline-six engine. These were changed to 3.2 litre and 4.0 litre versions in 1990. In 1993 a 6.0 litre Jaguar V12 engine was added to this lineup and was fitted to the newly reintroduced XJ12 and Daimler Double Six models.
The transmission featured a four-speed automatic, replacing the previous XJ's three-speed, and a five-speed manual. The XJ40 became the first Jaguar to feature the Jaguar trademark J-Gate gear selector which was specially designed to allow the manual selection of forward gears without accidentally selecting neutral or reverse. The XJ40 also featured a completely redesigned rear independent suspension with the discs located near the wheels, a welcome change from the harder to service inboard brakes of the Series 3. The XJ40 production ended in 1994 to be replaced by the Jaguar X300.
| Date | Short VIN | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| September 1986 | 500001 | First pre-production XJ40 |
| May 1987 | 524375 | XJ40 – 1988 model year introduction |
| July 1988 | 556851 | XJ40 – 1989 model year introduction |
| July 1989 | 594576 | XJ40 – 1990 model year introduction |
| September 1989 | 594575 | XJ40 – last 3.6 litre engine |
| September 1989 | 594576 | XJ40 – first 4.0 litre engine |
| September 1989 | 599121 | Introduction of the 4.0 litre XJR |
| January 1990 | 609191 | XJ40 – first 3.2 litre engine |
| June 1990 | 629286 | XJ40 – 1991 model year introduction |
| September 1990 | 628059 | XJ40 – last 2.9 litre engine |
| September 1991 | 649175 | XJ40 – 1992 model year introduction |
| August 1992 | 667829 | XJ40 – 1993 model year introduction |
| December 1992 | 673299 | XJ81 – 6.0 litre V12 engine introduced. Also 1993.25 model year introduction. |
| May 1993 | 680660 | XJ40 – XJ6 3.2 S introduced |
| August 1993 | 688485 | XJ40 – XJ6 4.0 S introduced |
| August 1993 | 687219 | XJ40 – 1994 model year introduction |
| June 1994 | 684219 | XJ40 – Last XJ40 produced |
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