Performance Review: Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe - [1983]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jaguar XJ Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1983. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T and the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO.This particular Jaguar XJ has a 3590cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The XJ shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the XJ's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1660 kgs (3659 lbs) this makes the Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Jaguar XJ shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3590cc 24V St6 engine produces 225 bhp (167 kW) @ 5300 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 240 lb-ft (325.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Jaguar XJ you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (160.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jaguar XJ.

The Jaguar XJ has a Power to weight ratio of 135.5 bhp per ton and 144.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1983 XJ competing with the 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (160.5 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup (160.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Jaguar XJ generating around 144.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-2 (169.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 (169.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (7.40 secs). This Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the XJ and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the Jaguar XJ on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.07 secs @ 85.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1983 version of the Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1983 XJ equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1983 Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1983 XJ Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jaguar

Car Comparison