Back in March I had an affair with an XJS V12 for just one hour. I drove the car approximately 10 miles and I was impressed with the comfort, power and huge thirst of the V12.
The engine dates back to the early 70's where it was used in the E-Type, then the XJS and XJ12. A beautiful engine to look at, the 5.3 liter V12 was built without regard to cost. All aluminium, immense torque, the engine is a sheer delight. Driving the V12 was easier than I thought. The GM autobox didn't soak the power like most slush boxes, and like the Rover 2.7, the engine was well suited to its box.
WHY I DRESSED LIKE I DID
A very good reason. The mate of mine who owns the Jag, and some other friends dared me to dress up like a 70's love god and drive the car in public, being someone game for a laugh, I thought 'Why the hell not!', this meant getting the best silvery jacket, shirt and gold jewellery on the go, which I did. A very Capri man look was needed, hence the look!
DRIVING THE BEAST
Having driven the car more recently I have learnt that it should be piloted, not driven. Flooring it creates quite a surge of power. The engine idles meaningfully, a slight roar when you blip the throttle. Despite it's 6000rpm redline I never got above 4000. The immense torque meant the engine pulled harder than Peter Stringfellow in a teenie boppers night club, flooring the beast caused a sudden surge of power and me to press back into my seat, 60 was acheived in sort of 6 secondsish, not too bad.
WHAT DO OTHER PEOPLE THINK?
Driving the car on my own, I had a real chance to pose. Girls would scream as I looked and waved at them, boy racer types sort of stared in a very threatening way as I screamed passed them, it would be safe to say that this was one motor that attracts a lot of attention, the Rover attracts quite a bit in its own right, this thing was a bloody fanny magnet!
WOULD I OWN ONE?
As a weekend car its ideal, yes I would. Possibly the XJS-C cabriolet thing.