1987 - 1994 Jaguar XJ6 - Impressive Luxury, Stalwart Reliability
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| To Jaguar fans, a traditional lot, the 1987 XJ6 looked a tad too conventional. (Photo: Jaguar) |
Jaguar took a radical styling departure and a fair load of criticism along with it when introducing its 1987 XJ sedan, codenamed XJ40. It wasn't that the model was particularly unattractive, compared to the majority of alternatives it was still extremely distinguished and classically proportioned, but its squared edges, rectangular head and tail lamps, hidden wipers, conventional front and rear windows and covered gas cap caused a stir among traditional Jaguar fans.
After all, the Series III model that preceded it, and still carried on in limited numbers right up until 1992, was as close to perfection in design as any sedan had achieved to that point. It was a cruelly hard act to follow.
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| The XJ6 Series III sedans have a much more classic look, even though they were made in limited numbers right up until 1992. (Photo: Jaguar) |
I took delivery of a pre-owned 1990 Sovereign in 1994, with close to a hundred thousand kilometers on the odometer and all of its warranty in its detailed past - thanks to a meticulous previous owner. What? A Jaguar with no warranty? Now that's a scary thought. So I initially felt as well.
It was metallic gray with gray leather inside contrasted with the requisite burled walnut accents and folding rear seat picnic tables - very upscale indeed. Its switchgear was comprehensive and elegantly detailed, long thin stalks on the steering column, a myriad of buttons on the center stack and below the instrument cluster.