When Jaguar facelifted the ‘X308’ XJ models in 2000, the company also revived a former trim level in the guise of the Sport. Offered in 3.2-litre guise only (although a few 4.0s exist thanks to clever use of Jaguar’s option packages), the Sport was aimed at a younger customer than Jaguar’s traditional demographic – a tax efficient option that worked well as a company car, and which looked more youthful thanks to its black grille inserts, window surrounds and 17-inch ‘Celtic’ alloy wheels.
It was a different beast under the skin, too, with the same suspension set-up as the supercharged XJR models making it sharper and more engaging to drive than the Executive and Sovereign models. Despite this, it was a rare car and is even more so today, largely because Jaguar’s more mature customers tended to prefer the softer and less dynamic specifications.
Offered only in the brighter hues in Jaguar’s colour palette, this Carnival Red example with Ivory leather is a lovely example and has the added – and substantial – benefit of complying with the Euro 4 requirements of London’s ULEZ zone and other similar emissions charging schemes. It’s only the 2001 and 2002 XJ8s that comply, so they’re actively more sought-after as a result.
A gorgeous, original car that has clearly been well-maintained, this is a great example of the classic large Jaguar saloon presented in spotlessly clean condition. i3L0MV042R80xY48ISZvSRjBUFqTdlXckHvx4PFz.jpg960.17 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Original Jaguar leather wallet, book pack and service history
ULEZ-compliant Euro 4 model
UK V5C
MOT until March 2024
Supplied new by Marshall’s Jaguar of Peterborough to Shelton’s – a well-known fishing and shooting supplies shop in the city, and registered as ‘CWS 316’
Was used as the Shelton’s CEO Charles William Shelton’s company vehicle until 2004, when he retired and kept it as his private car until 2009
Owned from 2009 to 2018 by a Jaguar enthusiast, again on a private registration number
Warranted 104k miles
Service history complete to 95k (main dealer and independent) with subsequent invoices from local garages, neatly presented in a folder
Some old MOT certificates
Correspondence from 2009 between then owner ad well-known Jaguar specialist appearing to show timing chain tensioners have been replaced
The X300 and X308 generations of XJ are rapidly gaining classic appeal – the last traditionally styled, steel-bodied big Jaguar saloons and, by nature of evolution, the best of the breed. A good one is a really nice car. Eminently usable, surprisingly affordable to run and with unrivalled levels of comfort, coupled to great driving dynamics, they represent a fantastic era of Jaguar engineering that is absolutely core to the brand’s DNA.
They’re at an age now where the bad ones are rapidly disappearing and the good ones are shooting up in value. This one is a very good one – an original, well-presented and entirely honest car that has clearly been loved.
But more than that, it’s one of the few gloriously retro cars that you can still drive through London, or through Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, with complete impunity thanks to its Euro 4 certification. If you want a really lovely XJ8 that you ca enjoy without penalty, you’ve just found it.
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