Background
The third-generation Jaguar XJ, known internally as the X350, arrived in 2003 as an important reinvention of a long-established model line. At first glance the car preserved the familiar XJ profile — a long bonnet, flared wings and an elegant, low-slung cabin — but beneath that classical skin Jaguar introduced one of the most significant engineering changes in the marque’s modern history.
After decades of steel-bodied saloons, Jaguar adopted a bonded and riveted aluminium monocoque chassis for the X350. This structure reduced weight substantially while increasing torsional stiffness, which in turn improved ride, handling and durability. The shift to aluminium also had important implications for corrosion resistance, a factor that later proved beneficial for cars that spent their early years in salt-free climates.
The X350’s bodywork was the work of careful evolution rather than radical redesign. The sculpted wings, the subtly modernised four-headlamp face and the gently curving roofline all respected the XJ’s long lineage while giving the car a contemporary presence. Mechanically, the range was broad: V6 and V8 petrol engines, naturally aspirated and supercharged V8s for those wanting extra performance, and a 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel for those prioritising economy over outright pace.
Across the range the XJ employed Jaguar’s then-advanced Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS), an adaptive air suspension system that balanced the traditional need for cushioned refinement with a modern appetite for precise control.
In 2007 the car received a modest mid-cycle update and a new internal designation, the X358. The changes were deliberate and restrained: reshaped bumpers, revised grille detailing and subtle trim upgrades that sharpened the car’s expression without compromising its inherent dignity. For buyers who sought the most luxurious and mechanically capable expression of the platform, Jaguar offered the long-wheelbase XJ8 Super V8.
Its 4.2-litre supercharged AJ-V8 produced substantial torque and delivered effortless acceleration, yet did so with the smoothness and composure expected of a flagship Jaguar. The long-wheelbase format added rear legroom and a host of rear-seat conveniences, securing the car’s position as both a driver’s saloon and a chauffeur-friendly limousine.
The example we offer is a long-wheelbase X358 XJ8 Super V8 finished in Lunar Grey Metallic with a Barley leather interior. Importantly, this chassis spent the first sixteen years of its life in Japan, an environment known for limited winter road salting — a provenance that often correlates with better-preserved bodywork and underbody condition on aluminium-bodied Jaguars.
Imported to the UK in April 2022, it has had just one other owner since, used sparingly and largely during the summer months. The combination of low mileage, careful seasonal stewardship and considered mechanical investment has left us with an XJ that is both extremely presentable and highly compelling.
