With its timeless styling, and a powertrain that rivaled the BMW M5, Jaguar’s limited edition sports sedan is an often overlooked luxury sleeper car.
BY SAM MAIN
VIA HOTCARS
PUBLISHED MAR 18, 2023
From the original Audi RS6 to the legendary BMW E39 M5, the benchmark for sleeper sedans has always been incredibly high in terms of build quality, understated looks, and sheer brutal power. However, an often missed and underrated gem in the sleeper sedan class is not a German-made powerhouse. It’s the incredible Jaguar XJR 100.
Built to commemorate Jaguar’s founder’s 100th birthday, the XJR 100 (the X308 model, to be precise) is a crown jewel in the sports sedan class for looking completely understated and innocent. It is also a tamed monster compared to its rivals. With subtly aggressive styling cues and a jet-fighter-like block under the hood, not much else can rival the XJR 100. And yet, it’s seemingly forgotten during conversations about what the ultimate sleeper sedan is.
So, we thought it was best to take a look at what made the XJR 100 quite possibly the greatest sports sedan ever made.
Facts And Figures Of The Jaguar XJR 100
Just by observing the general facts and figures of the XJR 100, it’s clear from the outset that the fast Jag is, indeed, a long-wheelbase sports car. Under the hood, a 4.0 liter supercharged V8 engine sits waiting to be unleashed; a block that churns out 375 hp and will go to a top speed of 155 mph. That’s just as quick as most of its contemporary rivals at the time, with the E39 M5 – for instance – reaching the exact same top speed with just 30 more hp under the hood. The XJR 100 could also reach 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, mostly thanks to its enormous torque output of 387 ft-lbs.
The XJR 100 is no slouch. Even with a curb weight of 3,913 pounds, Jaguar’s then-flagship sedan was heavy enough to provide a comfortable and easy ride. But it also had a jet-propelled-like powertrain under the hood that allowed the occupants to arrive at their destination much earlier than expected.
And although past XJRs might have used Jaguar’s utterly bulletproof straight-six engine, the supercharged V8 in the XJR 100 was the only logical powertrain for such a fast sedan. And, at the time, this V8 block was the most powerful engine Jaguar had fitted to a road-going vehicle.
Why The XJR 100 Was A Perfect Luxury Sports Sedan?
Not only was the XJR 100 powerful enough to be classed as a performance sedan, but it was also luxurious enough to outclass all rivals. Luxury means uniqueness, and with only 500 XJR 100s having been built, it certainly is a rare car in itself. The leather-trimmed interior in ‘warm charcoal’ coupled with Jaguar’s ‘Computer Active Technology Suspension’ meant passengers were given a smooth and heavenly ride when traveling at 150+ mph.
But don’t be fooled. Even though this was a big Jag and provided limousine-like comfort for its passengers, the ‘R’ in the name meant it was sporty and dynamic when the driver wanted it to be. This was made possible thanks to its uprated springs and anti-roll bars. Its re-tuned steering system enhanced the feeling of the road through the steering column, especially when cornering. The sports sedan was powerful enough to match all its rivals; it cornered and handled like a big sports car if you wanted it to. The sensation of speed was matched to the sensation of comfort, making the XJR 100 a perfect luxury sports sedan.
What Made The Jaguar XJR 100 The Ultimate Sleeper?
We’ve seen how the XJR 100 was powerful and dynamic enough to be a sports sedan. But what made it the perfect sleeper car? For an automobile to dominate this class, it must be understated and sleek enough to fly under the radar. But when it’s at a set of lights and is challenged by an unsuspecting opposition, stamping on the throttle would leave its adversary a mere speck in the rearview mirror.
From a glance, the XJR 100 looks like a standard XJ from the 90s era. It’s only when you really concentrate do you notice its subtle yet aggressive styling cues. The big 19-inch Montreal BBS alloys, the Brembo brakes, the wire mesh grills, and the bonnet louvers are what sets it apart on the outside. On the inside, the red stitching compliments the limited-edition leather sports seats. Then there’s the actual shape and style of the sedan: long, low, and sleek, with no sharp edges or unnecessary vents and grills. The XJR 100 is the definition of understated, and thanks to its immense powertrain, it also makes it a sleeper.
As was demonstrated by Clarkson on the original Top Gear, the standard XJR left its sports car rivals for dust during a drag race; the rivals being a Mercedes SLK, a Porsche Boxster, and an Aston Martin DB7. At face value, most would think the XJR would have been blown into the middle of next week. But no. It absolutely thrashed the competition and demonstrates that the XJR 100 – an even more powerful limited edition model – is the ultimate sleeper car from its era.
There’s something hugely appealing about fast, sleek, understated sports sedans. Whether it’s their under-the-radar styling or their immense speed, the concept of big sleeper sedans has clearly caught on from the Jag's era and continues to this day with the likes of Audi, Mercedes, BMW, and so forth. However, for those yearning for classic yet timeless styling, huge raw power, and unrivaled comfort and luxury, the XJR 100 is the perfect candidate, for it is the perfect sleeper sedan from its era.
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