'92 - '93 Facelifted XJR-S

This is a UK '92 car picture from Jaguar World Sept/ Oct '92. The US cars had different energy absorbing bumpers.

The engine gained a little more power up nearly 20bhp to 338bhp (I think the US spec. may sill only be 318bhp) due mainly to a revised less restrictive catalyst exhaust system and slightly tweaked ECU. The ECU now flashes diagnostic error codes to the trip computer.

Further changes to the engine may give a clue to the direction with which JaguarSport intended to promote future projects, I think competition was intended but the decision to axe the XJS ment it couldn't continue. A larger capacity electric radiator fan was fitted, special sump pan and internals to stop the oil starvation on fast corners and revised rear differential cover to stop the oil from frothing (?) or something, not the kind of modifications required for road cars. Seriously uprated brakes were an option from the early eighties on the TWR predecessors, but never offered on the XJR-S.

Wheels changed to "Aerosport" 8"x16" (similar to those fitted to some 4.0L XJ-S's only these are 7.5" rims). Tyres changed from Dunlop D40's to Goodyear Eagles and Bilstein shock absorbers revalved to suit. The rest of the suspension modifications are the same, however, there is confusion in the part numbers for the springs throughout the 6.0L production.

With the new shape body improvements came revised smoother front air dam, rear skirt, side skirts and rear spoiler etc. Interestingly, the US cars had a different body kit to the European cars with rubber covered impact beam integrated into the bumper mouldings. The interior wood veneers are high contrast walnut sapwood.

Incidentally, US customers were lucky to be offered XJR-S 6.0L convertibles! None were officially available in Europe. Only 50 rag tops and 50 coupes were exported to USA all were black or red, so very rare and collectable each had a silver numbered plaque on the dashboard. However, there were a few (maybe five) press demonstration cars in Silver which were not numbered. Steve Gallant remembers A coupe tested in "Car & Driver" and a convertible tested in "Automobile". Oddly the parts listing in the US product Support Manual lists door mirrors and headlight washer jets in silver, this listing proves some silver cars are known about.

Future info to be added to this page:

• List of ECU error codes & troubleshooting tips.
• Some pictures of US cars if I can find some, anyone?

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'93 part numbers

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