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"These improvements to the XJS come at a particularly auspicious time," said Michael H. Dale, President of Jaguar Cars. "Primarily through strong demand for the elegant 2+2 Convertible, North American sales for the first six months of 1994 increased by more than two-thirds over the same period in 1993.
"The XJS is already regarded as a classic, and has become the most successful two-door in Jaguar's history," Dale added. "The 1996 modifications further improve those attributes and characteristics that have caused the appeal of the XJS to a loyal customer base."
The improved 1996 XJS model is already reaching Jaguar's North American dealers as part of an early launch. A key element of the 1996 improvements is a significantly redesigned 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine - now designated XJ16 - which, together with a new engine management system, provides improved durability, performance, economy and refinement.
For the 1996 4.0-liter XJS Coupe, maximum brake horsepower increases to 237 at 4,700 rpm compared to the prior model's 219 bhp; maximum torque is 282 lb. ft. at 4,000 rpm compared to 273 lb. ft. Estimates show the new XJS Coupe propelling from 0-60 mph in just 7.8 seconds. Off-the-line acceleration, along with smoother, faster gear changes, is achieved through the provision of a new low-inertia torque converter for the electronically controlled four-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The comprehensive six-cylinder engine modifications include:
As well as improving power, torque, fuel economy and assuring low exhaust emissions, the
engine modifications provide a cleaner, more aesthetic under-hood appearance.
The legendary 6.0-liter, twelve-cylinder XJS Coupe engine is also revised for 1996. Modifications to the engine management system allow the aluminum alloy V-12 to achieve 301 brake horsepower at 5,400 rpm and an impressive 351 lb. ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm.
Other enhancements on the 1996 XJS 4.0-liter models include a new "variable assist" power steering which provides improved road feel and enhanced directional control by reducing the amount of power assistance at higher road speeds. Steering weighting, however, remains light for parking and low-speed maneuvers. Twelve-cylinder models receive a six-disc Alpine CD player and an all-weather package (including heated seats, engine block heater and headlamp washers) as standard.
While the 4.0-liter and V-12 models are both characteristically Jaguar high performance grand touring cars, they have clearly differentiated exterior appearances.
Color-keyed door mirrors, grill and headlamp bezels of the sporting 6.0-liter models contrast with the chrome mirrors and headlamp surrounds of the 4.0-liter car. The 6.0-liter also features discreet new silver-toned V-12 badges on the front fender and 20- spoke alloy road wheels, with diamond-turned surfaces and eggshell painted inner faces. Each road wheel features a gold-tone "growler" - the instantly recognizable leaping cat that adorns the XJS hood - on the center caps.
The decklid-mounted rear spoiler on V-12 models now incorporates the high-mount stop providing a cleaner rear appearance and both six- and twelve-cylinder models receive new oval chrome tail-pipe finishers.
All 1996 XJS models are fitted with a new Alpine audio head unit where the detachable front panel serves as a theft deterrent, particularly for XJS Convertibles parked with their top down. Also, a new mode button combines with up/down arrows to simplify an array of audio functions including volume, treble, bass, fade and balance. For models equipped with compact disc players, new "random play" and "repeat" functions offer great playing versatility.
Further interior refinements include new-look four-panel seats with integral headrests, an innovative storage pocket stitched to the front seats and new softer Connolly leather (Connolly "Autolux" on 6.0-liter models) featuring a shallower grain patter. The rear seat on all XJS Coupe models has been redesigned to provide more space and is similar to the 2+2 rear seating of the XJS Convertible.
An attractive analogue time piece with sweep second hand replaces the digital clock/trip computer display at the center fascia above the radio controls on the 4.0-liter car while all models are now pre-wired for convenient cellular telephone installation.
Four new exterior colors are introduced in 1996, including Ice Blue, Sapphire, Topaz and Rose Bronze. Inside, the trim colors are Oatmeal, Coffee, Cream, Parchment and Nimbus Grey.
For 1996, Jaguar has adopted the GEMS on-board diagnostics system (or OBDII), a new engine management system that provides the additional engine control, expanded fault detection and monitoring features to meet upcoming North American legislative requirements for reduced exhaust emissions. The GEMS system not only alerts an owner of a malfunction, it predicts that a malfunction is going to occur and can actually warn of an imminent failure. GEMS also provides distributor-less ignition, knock sensing, adaptive ignition and injection and the ability to control the ignition timing for each individual cylinder.
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