Great eight:
Jaguar intends to become an entirely electric brand by 2025, which will be a stark contrast to the supercharged V8 it currently delivers. Known by its official codename, the AJ-V8, this distinctive and potent engine was first developed as a prototype in the early 1990s, which makes it older than both Ford's and Tata's present ownership of Jaguar. The six- and 12-cylinder engines of the brand were superseded by the AJ-V8, the first V8 Jaguar ever made. Under the direction of David Szczupak and Trevor Crisp, the technical team developed an all-alloy engine that had twin-cam cylinder heads (manufactured by Cosworth), hollow one-piece cast camshafts, and a five-bearing crankshaft.
Under the bonnet:
Ford's 1989 acquisition of Jaguar must have had the AJ-V8 in the forefront. In addition to a whole new generation of Jaguars, the new engine was also included into Land Rovers, Lincolns, Fords, and Aston Martins, as Ford put together its Premier Automotive Group. It has been produced in Ford's Bridgend plant in Wales, hand-assembled for Aston in Cologne, and more recently, produced internally by Jaguar Land Rover. Its displacement has ranged from 3.5 liters for a normally aspirated engine to a supercharged 5-liter engine. As we honour the lives and times of perhaps one of the greatest engines ever, our gallery over the next slides lists every model that has ever used the AJ-V8, arranged chronologically.
1996 Jaguar XK8:
The sleek new XK8 helped the AJ-V8 enter production in 1996 by providing much-needed air between it and the aging and departing XJS that had provided the XK8 with its floor pan. Customers had the option of a coupé or a convertible. The V8 was initially sold with a 4-liter naturally aspirated engine producing 290 horsepower; it later grew to 4.2 liters and was available with a supercharger for XKR versions; the Eaton blower fitted precisely between the 90-degree vee, increasing the 4.2's power output by 100 horsepower.
1997 Jaguar XJ:
The 1997 XJ limousine, which was still built on the XJ40 platform and had a conservative body style, covered up a new, 3.2-liter AJ-V8, which was Jaguar's first saloon with a V8 engine. Towards the end of the model's lifespan, Jaguar debuted XJs equipped with 4-liter naturally aspirated and supercharged V8 engines; the latter was paired with the 370 horsepower XJR. A much-desired option is the R1 performance upgrade, which includes Brembo brakes, upgraded suspension, and BBS wheels.
1999 Jaguar S-type:
The Geoff Lawson-designed S-type, which debuted in 1999 and carried over the name and appearance of its 1960s predecessor, was offered in a variety of V6 petrol and diesel variants. However, the launch-day 282bhp 4-liter V8 had people's hearts racing. When the S-type R debuted in 2002, it had a supercharged 4.2 engine that produced almost 400 horsepower. If you can find an Ian Callum facelifted example from after 2004, you have the finest of the best.
1999 Lincoln LS:
Lincoln's LS, a distant relative of the Ford Thunderbird and the Jaguar S-type, shared the Ford DEW98 platform, which included a rear-drive configuration and all-around double-wishbone suspension, but it was so drab looking that its mother would have driven right by it.
Base versions had a 3-liter V6 engine when the auction began, while the top model was an AJ-V8 3.9-liter, which could produce a good 252 horsepower. Sufficient to secure Motor Trend's 2000 Car of the Year title, yet insufficient enough to be discontinued after just one generation.
2001-on Range Rover:
Although it was developed under BMW's ownership, the third-generation Range Rover was introduced in 2001 following Ford's acquisition. This explains why the V8 petrol models started out with the 4.4-liter BMW M62 engine, but the AJ-V8 from 2005, initially available as a 4.4-liter with 300 horsepower or a supercharged 4.2-liter with 394 horsepower.2010 saw a rise in capacity to 5 liters for both naturally aspirated (370 horsepower) and supercharged (503 horsepower) variants. It was dubbed the world's greatest automobile by Jeremy Clarkson. At all.
2002 Ford Thunderbird:
Not just Jaguar adopted a retro aesthetic at the start of the new millennium. Owner Ford was also bringing out the memories with its Thunderbird, GT, and Mustang—all of which share an AJ-V8 relationship. Drawing inspiration from the 1955 original, the 11th generation Thunderbird surprisingly used the Ford DEW platform of the S-type and installed a 3.9-liter Jaguar V8 engine beneath its roomy bonnet. Although first well regarded, sales rapidly declined prior to Ford's 2005 axe. Not just Jaguar adopted a retro aesthetic at the start of the new millennium. Owner Ford was also bringing out the memories with its Thunderbird, GT, and Mustang—all of which share an AJ-V8 relationship. Drawing inspiration from the 1955 original, the 11th generation Thunderbird surprisingly used the Ford DEW platform of the S-type and installed a 3.9-liter Jaguar V8 engine beneath its roomy bonnet. Although first well regarded, sales rapidly declined prior to Ford's 2005 axe.
