I can state that the Aston Martin V12 is an absolute hooligan of a thing, and very different compared to the much more calm Jaguar V12. (Calm being a relative thing, not helped by the trans and gear ratio). They are also completely different cars to drive dynamically, so it really would be a frankenstein creation to have the Aston V12 in an XJS. The question would be what would it be like ? Its Mummy, ? or its Daddy ? or something completely different ?

The links before are for older Vanquish engines. The DB9 and up V12 has different intakes, etc.

I did some quick (silly, pointless) measurements comparing my DB9 vs my XJS and it looks like in principal the Aston V12 would go in, and remember it's also available stock with a 6 speed manual transmission. (Although finding one of those it the US is challenging) One thing that always makes me smile on the Aston is how many wires you can see under the hood......... compared to the XJS. I'll let you work out my point from the attached pictures of the 2 cars

BUT to answer the original question of what would you change about the XJS......... for me No.1 would be add bonnet louvres and side fender vents. Aston can help you there also as it has both, and they really, really work

Brilliant piece of work!

Thanks for Posting that.

What sort of MPG do you get from your Aston, not that it will bother me if I happen to win the Lottery this Weekend.

I would but I don't like the Styling, as much as the XJS.

Guys this was about a NEW XJS... not Modding ours....
If Jaguar were redesigning the XJS Today what suggestions would you like to make?

its a NEW JagUar.... so it would be all Aluminum... space frame
I through out the Aston Martin V12 because Jaguar does have the V6 that is the same breed/origin JagUar should have no problems making their own...

these lazy days I would expect them to make a small super charged version based off the 1800 cc ver in the Mazda 323 (same family as the duratech) a 3.0 that could churn out 250-300 Hp with out the supercharger and an easy 400 to 500 with...

oh the sound that would make!

these days it is just what we do...
and like I said for an XJS-R 7.0liters supercharged w 1400hp.... just have to put every thing else in their NON-JagUar PLACE!

as far as the rest I would let them have at it... it is a "JagUar"...
and XK8 there already is an XK8 and Mustangs every where...

Seems to me that if Jaguar were to produce a new XJS that most of the drive train, electrical system, climate control etc would come from the F-type.

They would just design a new body with XJS features but with evolution to modern design.

If they really wanted to go nuts then they would install a modern V12 or do a "Tesla" and make it a full electric.

Can you imagine a modern, electric XJS to compete with Tesla? I would buy that!

Mark

Fix the fricking oil leaks.
Fix the engine cooling system
500 + hp for the v12
5 speed trans
better electronics
cup holders in center console
bose sound system
concealed convertible top
make it so dash does not have to come out to work on heat and air.
Fix the engine temp gage.

On a modest freeway run it'll do about 17mpg (US Gals). At 80mph its doing just over 2000rpm.

In town trundling around it can get as low as 10. In fact not much difference compared to my XJS.

So, if you were all re-designing the E-Type (XKE):
How would you do it?

Hi Steve

I wouldn't change a thing!

Cheers

You're right there's not much difference, I get around 17.9mpg.

I would get a new Lyon Heart Growler-problem solved. Why Jaguar did not go in on this project will forever be a mystery as this would have been a great flagship car for Jaguar IMHO.

Put in proper cabin insulation. Driving for long distances in the summer can be unbearable, melted the glue on my shoe one trip. Adding a few more inches of cabin space would be nice, I always had my knees bent in my 64. Had to put in a smaller steering wheel so I could let the clutch out all the way.

Making a convertible top that is watertight would be a big step up, along with a functional climate control system (and AC!).

Eagle Speedster, Steve?
Greg

I have never heard of it before. Looks superb, and as you say, looks like a real Jaguar. Tell us more about it please, and more photos too.
Greg

The Eagle Speedster is a superb and a magnificent extrapolation of the OTS E-Type design in modern era. The Eagle Low Drag is also nice, directly inspired from the race cars of the period.
IMHO, the Lyonheart misses the point in keeping the original design subtleties of the E-Type. Nice though, but buying too much of fashionable ideas and not my cup of tea.

The way I see it the Eagle Speedster is not a modern revision of the E-Type but rather just an improved version of the original. The LyonHeart is a modern revision.

The Eagle Speedster is a niche car that has it's limited audience where as the LyonHeart could have been the flagship car for Jaguar which like the F-type would have put Jaguar back on the map and excited people back in the show rooms.

The Eagle Speedster is a perfect E-type IMO but not the kind of car that a professional is going to take their spouse to the Jaguar showroom and say "here it is our new daily driver ". On the other hand the LyonHeart is the kind of modern revision that will capture imaginations and will literally stop people in their tracks to get a look at one.

I would argue that the F-type is to some degree a modern take on what the E-type represented and offered back in the 60's but Jaguar needs a flagship car that will truly capture the imagination of the automotive world. The reason the LyonHeart does not do this is because hardly anyone knows about them and even though they use the Jaguar supercharged V8 the LyonHeart is not a " Jaguar " and in Jaguar showrooms and on Jaguar commercials.

I always saw the F-type as the Jaguar that professionals settled on after they were drawn into the showrooms to get a glimpse of the $200K + super car Jag that everyone is talking about. The problem is Jaguar has built a few super cool prototypes of this kind of modern car but has not followed through and produced any modern day versions of this kind of car like the 220 model in the early 90's.

When I think about a modern day version of the XJS I always think about the Aston DB9. The XJS in it's day was a big GT that offered style ,class and luxury and the DB9 just makes me think what the XJS could have evolved into with the V12.

A few more photos of the LyonHeart Growler :

Plus reengineering the body, particularly forward of the firewall. Whisper it to the E Type crowd, but the front half of that car is a rigid as wet spaghetti!
Greg

flying buttress and a convertible top that is flying buttress the pontiac solstice did it

cup holders andcompass would do it for me. I can add those.
If I wanted more stuff I would buy a new one.
bill