A Jaguar XJ X300

Jaguar XJ X300 (1994-1997)

The X300, introduced in 1994, was stylistically intended to evoke the image of the more curvaceous Series XJ. The front of the car was redesigned significantly to return to four individual round headlamps that provided definition to the sculptured hood.

Mechanically, it was similar to the XJ40 that it replaced. Six-cylinder X300s are powered by the AJ16 inline-six engine, which is a further enhancement of the AJ6 engine that uses an electronic distributorless ignition system.

The V12 remained available until the end of the X300 production in 1997 (although it ended one year earlier in the United States market due to problems meeting OBD-II-related emissions requirements.) Jaguar first introduced the supercharged XJR in X300 production; the first supercharged road car manufactured by the company. Design of the X300 was directly affected by the Ford Motor Company's ownership of Jaguar (between 1990 and 2007).

According to Automotive News, this was evident in general "product development processes", more than the use of Ford components. However, the X300's traction control system was obtained from the Ford Mondeo and it also featured a Nippondenso air conditioner purchased through Ford channels.