Luxury, speed, and rarity—all for far less than you’d expect
Jaguar doesn’t really produce cars these days, but the brand still knows how to grab headlines. The all-electric Type 00 concept signals where Jaguar wants to go when it comes to style and technology, and yes, it’s divisive.
Reliability has long been a thorn in Jaguar’s side, dating back to the days of British Leyland in the 1970s. Ford tried to fix things in the late 1980s, but it wasn’t until Tata took over in 2008 that the brand got a fresh start.
Tata’s first moves included a new Jaguar XJ and a rare limited edition Supersport. Sold only in the United States and Canada, fewer than 400 were made, making this a seriously collectible luxury sedan.
This Forgotten Luxury Sedan Still Turns Heads Today
It still has the boldness, comfort and charm that sets it apart, but now it feels even more like a hidden treasure.
When luxury meets performance
Fast facts about the Jaguar XJ Supersport
-
Launched in 2011 as part of the X351 generation of the XJ
-
Powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8
-
Developed over 500 horsepower
-
Rare and short-lived, discontinued after model year 2012
More than 40 years before the arrival of the Supersport, the Jaguar XJ made its debut. By the mid-1960s, Jaguar was in transition, enjoying the success of the E-Type while realizing that its sedan lineup was too confusing.
In 1965 the company offered the Mk2, S-Type and 420 saloons, but wanted something sportier and more stylish to appeal to a wider audience. After a short period of development, the Series I XJ was launched in 1968.
The new XJ quickly became legendary, praised for its looks, performance and refined ride quality. In 1972, Jaguar added a long-wheelbase version and an all-new 5.3-liter V12, cementing the XJ’s “Grace, Space, Pace” reputation.
In 1975, things started to go downhill for the XJ and Jaguar in general. It was at this time that British Leyland was nationalized, bringing the company under government control.
Cost-cutting measures hit fast and hard, and cars paid the price. Jaguars, including the XJ, began to suffer from major build quality problems.
Electrical problems and fit and finish issues have become common, turning brand-new Jaguars into a headache for owners.
Jaguar finally parted ways with British Leyland in 1984, just as the XJ was entering its third generation, the Series III.
While the Series III models were still being rolled out, Jaguar introduced the XJ40, which remained in production until 1994.
The brand hit another difficult period when Ford purchased Jaguar in 1989. Ford remained in charge until 2008, with the XJ completing its X358 generation during this period.
A modern supercharged V8 masterpiece that’s poised to become a future icon
Roaring with old-school power and modern refinement, this V-8 gem delivers thrilling performance and timeless appeal that destines it for iconic status.
The XJ, reinvented
When Tata bought Jaguar in 2008, big changes happened quickly. One of the first was a completely redesigned XJ.
Gone were the classic quad headlights, bubble tops and flat fascias. In their place was a sleek, modern luxury sedan designed to take on BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.
This new model, the X351, will eventually become the latest generation of the Jaguar XJ.
A few years after the X351 debuted, Jaguar decided to give the model a special boost in certain markets.
For 2011, the XJ was offered with a naturally aspirated and a supercharged version of its 5.0-liter V8.
Buyers could also choose between short and long wheelbases for either engine, providing plenty of options to suit different tastes.
At the top of the range was the Supersport, boasting the supercharged V8 and a host of exclusive features you won’t find on other XJ models. Buyers could choose either wheelbase, although the long version was slightly more popular.
Pricing started around $110,000 for the short wheelbase model and climbed to around $113,000 for the long wheelbase model.
Jaguar built 293 Supersports in its first year, including 265 destined for the United States. Production fell sharply in 2012, with only 64 made and only seven arriving in Canada.
The overlooked luxury compact SUV that deserves more attention
It’s sleek, refined and feature-rich, but often goes unnoticed.
Supersport Highlights: Specs and Features
Under the XJ Supersport’s curved hood sits a 5.0-liter V8 from Jaguar’s AJ engine family. This particular mill, the AJ133S, receives its “S” for Supercharged.
It uses an Eaton TVS1900R supercharger paired with dual water-to-air intercoolers to improve performance.
Jaguar lowered the compression ratio from 11.5:1 in the naturally aspirated version to 9.5:1, thanks to flat-topped pistons. The Supersport also gets an extra 40 horsepower over the standard XJ Supercharged, thanks to higher-performance ECU tuning.
Power from the supercharged AJ V8 is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the only drivetrain option.
The suspension balances comfort and performance, with adaptive air springs at the rear and traditional coil springs at the front. Drivers can switch between three “JaguarDrive Control” modes: Normal, Dynamic and Snow.
Stopping power comes from larger-than-standard brakes, complemented by a unique brake drying function for added confidence on wet roads.
|
Jaguar XJ Supersport specifications |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine |
5.0-liter supercharged V8 |
|
Power |
510 hp |
|
Couple |
461 lb-ft |
|
0 to 60 mph |
4.1 seconds |
|
Maximum speed |
155 mph (limited) |
|
Empty weight |
4,323 pounds |
*Specifications provided by Jaguar and Car and Driver
10 Affordable Luxury Grand Tourers That Will Make You Feel Rich
You don’t need a six-figure budget to enjoy the luxury and performance of a grand tourer.
Grab one before they go
It’s been almost 15 years since the 2011 Jaguar XJ Supersport hit the road. With age starting to catch up, time is of the essence for anyone interested.
The good news is that Supersports are surprisingly affordable right now. Kelley Blue Book lists a 2011 model for around $12,746.
Think about it: a luxury sedan with more than 500 horsepower and fewer than 400 made worldwide can be had for the price of a decade-old Honda CR-V. In my humble opinion, this is a pretty incredible deal.
