1984, Jaguar, XJS HE
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Category
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PostedOct 15, 2025
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Views66
Year
1984
Brand/Make
Jaguar
Model
XJS HE
Description
From July 1981, the XJ-S was renamed the XJ-S HE and received the new High-Efficiency V12 engine for much better fuel economy. A positive side effect of the more efficient "Fire Ball" combustion chamber designed by Swiss Engineer Michael May was that power output was increased to 295 hp (220 kW; 299 PS) or 263 hp (196 kW) in North America. At the same time, the XJ-S HE received changes to its exterior and interior: there was body-coloured boot trim in place of the standard previous black, new five-spoke "Starfish" alloy wheels fitted with 215/70R15 Pirelli Cinturato P5 tyres, chrome inserts on the upper part of the bumpers, and burled elm inserts on dashboard and door cappings.
Modifications on this car
It was the quietest engine I have ever experienced in a car. During my initial drives, the engine operated with such remarkable smoothness and low noise that I would often attempt to restart it at traffic lights, mistakenly believing it had stopped. Over time, I learned to rely on the tachometer to confirm that the engine was still running.
On one occasion, I tested its maximum speed on the Southern Motorway on a quiet Sunday afternoon, where it achieved an indicated 150 miles per hour. For many years, that remained the highest speed I had ever travelled in a car. It was not until 2007, when a friend took me for a drive in his Lamborghini, that this record was surpassed—we reached a speed of 174 miles per hour.
Maximum Speed
150 mph
Acceleration 0-60mph
7.5 Seconds
1/4 Mile
14.5 Seconds
Engine Cylinders
V12
Engine Capacity
5343 cc
Engine Power
295 HP
Engine Torque
300 lb/ft
Fueling Method
Injection
Fuel
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Gears
3 Speed
Drivetrain
Front wheel drive- Rear wheel drive
- Four wheel drive
- Limited slip differential
- Overdrive