| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1986 |
| Production Years: | 1986 - 1994 discontinued in 1994 |
The Daimler XJ 40 and XJ 81 series, produced between 1986 and 1994, represents a distinguished era of British luxury sedans blending classic refinement with modern engineering advancements of the late 20th century. Derived from the Jaguar XJ platform but distinguished by Daimler's emphasis on luxury and comfort, the XJ 40, 81 offered a spacious four-door sedan that combined traditional British elegance with a more contemporary, angular design language that marked a departure from the rounded shapes of its predecessors.
The XJ 40 generation, spanning model years 1986 to 1994, was recognized for its balanced proportions and size that comfortably accommodated passengers while maintaining a poised road presence. Although specific dimensions can vary slightly by model variant, the sedan typically measured approximately 4920 mm (193.7 inches) in length, around 1770 mm (69.7 inches) in width, and about 1390 mm (54.7 inches) in height. These dimensions lent the vehicle an ideal balance of interior spaciousness and manageable urban usability. The car’s weight typically ranged near 1600 kg (3527 lbs), reflecting the build quality and materials used in its construction.
Beneath its stately exterior, the Daimler XJ 40 and 81 boasted advanced mechanical features for its time including refined suspension setups, improved aerodynamics, and stronger body structures that enhanced ride comfort and driving dynamics. The interior was laden with luxury appointments, including high-quality leather upholstery, wood veneer trims, and advanced (for the era) electronic instrumentation.
This generation remains a notable benchmark for enthusiasts and collectors interested in luxury cars from the late 1980s to early 1990s. The Daimler XJ 40, 81 is often compared with contemporaries from both British and international manufacturers, standing out for its unique combination of traditional craftsmanship and the evolving automotive technology of its production era.
Discover the standout features that make the 1986 Daimler XJ 40, 81 a leader in its class
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The Daimler XJ 40, 81 generation, produced from 1986 to 1994, features an elegant sedan design with precise dimensions. Its length measures approximately 4,872 mm (191.7 inches), width about 1,802 mm (70.9 inches), and height around 1,385 mm (54.5 inches). These dimensions contribute to the car's balanced road presence, combining roomy interior space with manageable exterior size for urban and suburban driving. The sedan's proportions enhance aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining the classic luxury silhouette that Jaguar’s XJ series is known for during this period.
The Daimler XJ 40, 81 sedan typically weighs around 1,635 kilograms (3,605 pounds) curb weight, depending on the specific model and equipment levels. This weight provides a sturdy, premium feel on the road, contributing to smooth ride quality and stability at higher speeds. While heavier than some compact sedans, the Daimler XJ balances mass with performance through its engine options, ensuring responsive acceleration and refined handling characteristics. The weight also improves ride comfort by absorbing road irregularities but might slightly impact fuel efficiency compared to lighter vehicles.
The Daimler XJ 40, 81 comfortably accommodates up to five passengers, featuring two front seats and a spacious rear bench. The interior passenger volume is designed generously to provide ample legroom and headroom, typical of luxury sedans of its era. Front passengers enjoy excellent ergonomics with supportive seats and controls oriented towards ease of use, while rear occupants benefit from spacious legroom and shoulder space, contributing to a relaxed ride. The cabin's layout and high-quality materials reflect the vehicle’s luxury positioning, allowing passengers to travel in comfort regardless of trip length.
The Daimler XJ 40, 81 offers a trunk capacity of approximately 506 liters (17.9 cubic feet), which is competitive among luxury sedans from the late 1980s and early 1990s. This volume provides ample space for luggage, grocery bags, and other cargo, making it practical for both everyday use and longer journeys. The trunk design includes a low loading lip and wide opening, facilitating easy placement of bulky items. Compared to contemporaries in its segment, the XJ 40 balances elegant styling with sensible cargo space, ensuring versatility without compromising its refined aesthetic.
Yes, the Daimler XJ 40, 81 generally fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Most standard garages have internal dimensions around 6 meters (20 feet) in length, 3 meters (10 feet) in width, and 2.1 to 2.4 meters (7 to 8 feet) in height. Given the XJ 40, 81’s length of about 4.87 meters (16 feet), width of 1.80 meters (6 feet), and height of 1.39 meters (4.5 feet), it occupies less spatial volume than many modern sedans. This makes it convenient for secure parking and protection from weather, while also allowing some clearance around the car for storage or ease of movement within the garage.
Compared to its predecessor, the Jaguar XJ Series III (produced from 1979 to 1992), the Daimler XJ 40, 81 introduced in 1986 featured more modern and efficient packaging. Although the overall length of the XJ 40 is similar to the Series III, around 4,872 mm (191.7 inches) compared to slightly longer Series III dimensions, the XJ 40 focused on a more aerodynamic and squared-off design. The width is marginally narrower, allowing for better maneuverability, while its lower height enhances aerodynamics and stability. The interior space was optimized with improved ergonomics and visibility, proving a thoughtful evolution over the predecessor in terms of both form and function.
When compared to similar luxury sedans of the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as the Mercedes-Benz W124 E-Class or BMW 5 Series (E28/E34), the Daimler XJ 40, 81 is comparable in overall footprint but offers a distinctive British luxury appeal. While Mercedes and BMW models varied from roughly 4,7 to 4,9 meters in length, the XJ 40 settled at 4,872 mm (191.7 inches), placing it in the mid to upper size range for its class. Its width of 1,802 mm (70.9 inches) matches closely those competitors, offering similar passenger space. However, the XJ 40 distinguished itself with a more traditional and stately design, focusing on comfort and interior finish quality rather than outright sporty dimensions.
The Daimler XJ 40, 81 typically houses a fuel tank with a capacity around 73 liters (approximately 19.3 US gallons). This capacity offers a good balance between range and weight for the luxury sedan segment of its time. Fuel efficiency varies based on engine choices—ranging from inline-six to V12 options—but generally, the XJ 40 averaged between 12 to 16 liters per 100 kilometers (roughly 15 to 20 miles per gallon US). This reflects the car’s balance between performance and fuel economy for its class and era, with more powerful engines naturally consuming more fuel, while smaller options prioritized a smoother balance of consumption and driving experience.
The Daimler XJ 40, 81 is built on a unibody chassis featuring advanced suspension technology for its time. It uses independent double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link or coil spring setup at the rear, designed to maximize ride comfort and handling precision. This combination provides a smooth, composed ride even on rough surfaces, reducing body roll and improving stability during cornering. The car’s chassis and suspension work in harmony to deliver the refined, luxurious driving experience expected from a Daimler-ized Jaguar XJ, focusing on driver confidence and passenger comfort over sporty sharpness.
The Daimler XJ 40, 81 marked a significant technological and luxury upgrade from earlier Jaguar XJ models. It introduced more modern electronics, including updated dashboard instrumentation and improved climate control systems. Advances were made in power steering, braking with standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) on later models, and improved sound insulation for quieter cabin ambiance. The luxuriously appointed interiors included high-quality leather upholstery, wood veneers, and enhanced seat comfort with more adjustment options. These improvements resulted in a more comfortable and refined package that better met the expectations of luxury car buyers during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
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