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The last X300 of all is still owned by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

30th anniversary of the X300


20 July 2024 | General News

July 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Jaguar X300 production getting under way at Browns Lane, with the newcomer making its public debut at the ’94 Paris Motor Show three months later. The X300 was the first new model from Jaguar since Ford’s takeover of the revered British marque at the start of the ’90s.

Although heavily based around its XJ40 predecessor, the X300 managed to look significantly different thanks to its more traditional bonnet line, which followed the shape of the quad headlamps and was reminiscent of the ‘Series’ XJ models. Combine that with a subtly more curvaceous overall look (as well as integrated body-coloured bumpers) and you had an XJ that managed to look both fresh and authentically Jaguar at the same time.

Just as important was Ford-owned Jaguar’s determination to ensure class-competitive build quality and reliability, with a major investment being made in new manufacturing techniques and the latest in body-welding robots to ensure impressive panel fit and all-round precision.

The X300’s adoption of Jaguar’s latest AJ16 six-cylinder engine also helped its image, with this development of the XJ40’s AJ6 unit being smoother, more refined and – as we were to find out later – more reliable than before.

The X300 was available in a choice of different trim levels, comprising the 3.2-litre XJ6, the Sovereign (available as a 3.4 or 4.0 model), the Sport (complete with wider, wheels and stiffer suspension) and – for the 1997 model year – the Executive. Part-way through the ’95 model year came various long-wheelbase versions, codenamed X330 and featuring an extra six inches of rear legroom and an inch more headroom.

Production of the short-lived but successful X300 began 30 years ago.

It was the launch of the XJR that brought some welcome excitement to the X300 range, its 4.0-litre engine being mated to an Eaton M90 supercharger to boost power from 249bhp to 326bhp, with a mighty 378lb.ft of torque. A 6.0-litre V12 version of the X300 was also available, developing an impressive 318bhp. And as with all previous XJs, the X300 was offered in Daimler guise, known as the Daimler Six and Double-Six.

The X300 was relatively short-lived, with the very last car – now on display at the JDHT’s Gaydon-based Collections Centre – rolling off the line on July 2nd, 1997.


Tags: x300  anniversary