Design Car Jaguar XJ V6

Design Jaguar XJ V6

On one hand, it wasn't all that long ago that Jaguar was building its flagship luxury sedan, the XJ, with 12 cylinders underhood.

If we're being honest, there's always been something sort of magical about cars that play the dozen, even if weight distribution and, indeed, performance, haven't always made them terribly sensible.

If we're being equally frank, we've also reacted largely with enthusiasm to the trend of downsized forced-induction engines needling their way into ever larger and more premium sheetmetal. So here we are, at the intersection of past and future, and Jaguar has finally responded to the small-is-the-new-big trend by nestling a new 3.0-liter supercharged six-cylinder engine between the fenders of its largest sedan. In fact, it's gone even further, adding a 2.0-liter four-cylinder to the aluminum-bodied luxocrat, but most markets (including ours) won't see that particular model.

Jag officials at the launch of the 2013 XJ were refreshingly frank in admitting that not having a smaller engine than a V8 anywhere in its U.S. lineup the past few years has hurt both the brand's consideration and its fleet fuel economy numbers.

This 3.0-liter is the first step towards renovating and broadening the brand's powertrain menu as it looks to keep pace with the usual suspects (Audi has just plopped a six in the A8 and BMW did the same last year with its 7 Series.

Engine Jaguar XJ V6

If you want the joy of six in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, you'll have to go hybrid or diesel). One other Jaguar programming note: A previously confirmed all-wheel-drive system is coming shortly as well, but that's a bit further down the pipe – this V6 is the main event for the moment in both its XJ and XF sedans.

In the case of the 2013 XJ, Jaguar has essentially lopped a couple of cylinders off the end of its 5.0-liter V8 and nestled a twin-vortex Eaton Roots-style supercharger in the V of the cylinder banks. Thanks in part to direct injection, dual independent variable valve timing and higher compression (10:5:1 vs. 9:5:1), the supercharged six generates 340 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque from 1,750 rpm.