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Doug DeMuro Drives Super Rare Jaguar Super V8 and You Can Buy It

During the Ford period of Jaguars ownership, it built a lot of cars the people didn't like, but the XJ Super V8 wasn't one of them.
Doug DeMuro and the Jaguar XJ Super V8 6 photos
Photo: Via Doug DeMuro
Jaguar XJ Super V8Jaguar XJ Super V8Jaguar XJ Super V8Jaguar XJ Super V8Jaguar XJ Super V8
Many automotive fans might be wondering if we're just calling this car the wrong name. The Jaguar XJR is a well-known super sedan from the same time period. It is, however, a different car entirely.

The X308 generation of the Jaguar XJ came out in 1997 and ran until 2003. To say its base 3.2-liter engine was underwhelming would be an understatement. Build quality was a concern as well. Jaguar ultimately used many components that were straight from the Ford parts bin.

The XJ Super V8 wasn't subject to the same mediocre build practices though. Under the hood sits a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 boasting 400 horsepower. In fact, it's the same as the one in the XJR. So what makes them different?

Doug spells that out by telling us that the XJR was only available with a shorter wheelbase that most XJ models used. The XJ Super V8 combined the longer wheelbase with the engine from the XJR. Jaguar built more than 15,000 XJRs but less than 5,000 Super V8s.

DeMuro also goes on and on about the engine. He mentions his personal experience of driving another Jag with this engine "ages ago." He loved it then and wondered how he'd feel driving it again. It turns out that it's not much different. "I love how it feels, I love how it sounds!" he proclaims.

He loves how much torque and power are constantly on tap. Instead of loving a particular feature or quirk, the drivetrain is the most intoxicating facet. Still, he's not completely sold on ownership for the uninitiated.

"It's still an old Jag" he says. So it's important for buyers to keep that in mind. Interested? It's sitting around $15,000 as of this writing. Happy bidding!
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