The Jaguar X308 XJ series is the final iteration of the XJ40 platform, which itself was the last car to feature input from Sir William Lyons, the company's founder. This connection with the brand's illustrious and sporting luxury reputation combined with the new V8 engine resulted in a familiar-looking bottled wine with the refinement and taste of the classic XJ styling. Jaguar's goal was to mix the best of both worlds, and the new flagship saloon was packed with cutting-edge technology that not only catered to the enthusiastic driver but provided the passengers with a cosseting experience of sheer comfort.

This beautifully presented 2002 Executive trim model was imported from Japan in 2019 and is finished in the fetching and rare colour of Aspen Green, which is complemented by a cream leather interior. It comes with a near-perfect servicing schedule and has an odometer verification certificate, as well as its V5. Fitted with fully operational air conditioning, electric seats and mirrors, its opulent walnut and leather cabin is the ideal environment for individuals who craves peaceful and smooth transportation.

The owner has a history of experiencing the delights of the brand and rates this particular XJ8 as one of his most inspired purchases. He originally bought the car from a mechanical engineer who decided to sell the car due to a lack of use. Originally obtained via a reputable specialist who handpicks imported cars, the car spent much of that time in the engineer's storage facility but was still subjected to a routine of mechanical attention. 

The current owner was looking specifically for a low-mileage high spec example of the X308 to use as an occasional car and came across this example via Autotrader. Upon picking up the car he was delighted to have found that this Japanese-spec Executive model was not only kitted out with Sovereign spec interior fittings, such as the leather and walnut veneer interior, top grade Alpine stereo/CD package, heated seats and an electrochromic interior mirror but the car also came with Japanese service history as well as documentations to illustrates its stringent ‘Shaken’ Motor-vehicle inspection test. The owner's likelihood of increasing his mileage due to the demands of his job has led him to decide to sell the car.

Along with what is believed to be a complete record of both Japanese and UK service history, the car also comes with its Japanese owner handbooks along with the equivalent English wallet, just in case your understanding of the Japanese language isn’t up to scratch. The car has been recorded for UK use, it has a V5 and to bring it to UK spec the seller had the OEM Japanese window tint removed and the radio switched to UK frequencies. 

It has also seen a recent full valet, a three-stage machine mop with hand wax and the whole of the underside has been treated with Innotec LS-m spray sealant. In addition, the XJ8 has been treated to a recent engine and gearbox service from a local Jaguar specialist.  The car's MOT is valid until August 2022 and comes with three keys including its valet key.

The interior is lavishly furnished and retains its air of decadence and quality, and thanks to its duty of care by its successive owners has resisted any form of wear well. The driver's seat displays a typical amount of light use but considering the car's mileage, it is far less than average for a car of this age. There are no rips or damage noted on any of the seats and all retain a firm yet sumptuous feel. The electric adjustment controls on both front seats are all functional, including the heating elements. 

The carpets are in good shape, with no evidence of dampness, the owner has also included a brand new set of unused mats as part of the sale. The headlining is in excellent shape, with no signs of the sagging that often affect Jaguars of this age. The door cards are in fine fettle, all are fitted with functional Alpine door speakers and there are no scuffs or damage other than minor blemishes noted on the very top corners of the front door items. 

The dashboard veneer is in very good condition, asides from what appears to be a fracture on the veneer finish on the glove box and minute cracks on the centre clock/vent veneer  - the owner has pointed out that he preferred to retain the full originality of the car but obtaining a replacement for this part can be easily sourced online. The facia and centre console leather padding show no wear or damage, although the centre top of the facia displays a circular patch of discolouration, perhaps as a result of a dashboard-mounted item. 

The owner has not investigated any action to remove it but it should be considered nothing more than a surface blemish. The switches, controls and dials are all in excellent order, the air-con blows icy cold, the electrically controlled mirrors and windows all operate without resistance or strain to the motors. All of the digital aspects of the dashboard are in full functioning order, with no reports of dead pixels. The parking sensors and power folding mirrors are also in perfect working order. 

The owner has also replaced any non-functioning dashboard bulbs in preparation for the car's sale and all display correctly at night. The electrochromic interior mirror has not degraded over time and is still fully operational. The centre console is intact with its original Alpine tape player installed, with an Alpine CD changer placed in the boot. 

Please note that the original unused cigarette/power outlet cap covers have since been reunited with the car. Both the gear lever and steering wheel are in very good condition with just a hint of wear. The boot space is very clean with no suggestion that it has seen heavy use, with little more than a few light scratches noted on the plastics.

The first impressions of the car are very positive, with the smoothly fitting body panel and even gaps suggesting that the car has been well looked after. The structure of the car is very solid too, with no issues in regards to the scuttle plate, rear screen area, inner wings or sills. A special note has to be made in regards to the floor pan which according to the owner was in very good shape prior to the additional treatment of the application of a coating which was recently added to seal the whole of the underside. 

The exterior metal work is solid throughout, with a handful of minor (but easily treatable) dents observed on the offside door panels. All doors open and close without effort, the passenger doors in particular retain their quality action when being closed. The only thing we could find on the car was a minor dent that appears on the panel below the rear screen near the fuel cap but again appears to be treatable. 

The Aspen Green paintwork has been subject to a recent machine mop finish and shows off the impressive lustre of the paintwork. There are no significant signs of paint blemishes, with just a few light scuffs on the roof. The bumpers are perfectly aligned, with no damage, other than the expected road chip noted on the lower section of the front bumper. The rubber trim is in very good shape, with no evidence of a build-up of natural elements or perishing, the chrome work is in very good shape too with the lights and lenses all intact. 

The glass is free from any issues, with no lamination or chip damage noted. The alloys are in excellent condition, with the Maxxis tyres all being very recent fittings and therefore well above the legal requirements.

The car starts up with no hesitation, the smooth engine was left running for longer periods of time with no ill effects, idling nicely resulting in no undulations or hesitation. No leaking fluids were observed on the ground. All warning lights remained off as the car remained in tick-over, with no signs of excessive exhaust smoke, after the initial condensation disappeared. No strains were recorded from the perfectly functioning power steering, with the brakes operating without no drama. 

Gear selection is seamless, with the reverse and drive modes shifting with slickness. On the move the car is said to perform admirably, pulling strongly on the motorway with no ill effects on the running gear. The owner praised the car for its perfect behaviour on a recent run to North Yorkshire, munching up the motorway miles with confidence and typical poise. 

The physical condition of the engine is very impressive, with all of the ancillaries, hoses and pipework showing evidence of maintenance. A really nice touch is the unused and still-sealed toolbox. The exhaust is in clean condition, with no evidence of leaks. 

The XJ8 main appeal is the fashion in the way it performs with complete propriety. By managing to conduct impeccable road handling mannerisms with the seamless hushed-delivery of its reliable V8 power, the sum of that talent is complemented by its exceptionally comfortable ride. 

Very much the epitome of Jaguar's reputation for luxury with style, the XJ series connects the world of state-of-the-art technology with the brands core values of tradition and elegance.