HAVING SPOKEN to a few former Jaguar engineers lately, it’s obvious that the AJ-V8 engine represented a real milestone for the company: a state-of-the-art powerplant which could stand comparison with the best of the German and Japanese competition.
Making its debut in 4-litre form in 1996, the V8 would grow to 4.2 litres in 2002 and like most of Jaguar’s previous powerplants would live a long life, being replaced in 2009 by the similar but in fact all-new 5-litre AJ-133 engine.
The striking style of the XF similarly represented a new era at Jaguar, leaving behind the traditional curves and embracing an edgy new modernity and although the majority of XFs would run the twin-turbo diesel engine, it was offered with both the 4.2 and 5-litre V8.
When the all-new aluminium ‘X260’ XF was launched in 2015, the V8 option was conspicuously missing, petrol options limited to the 2-litre Ingenium and 3-litre V6 (itself derived from the V8). The XJ kept its V8 option until the axe was swung in 2019, but for those wanting a more compact sports saloon, the XF fitted the bill and was the bigger
