Jaguar XJ-S 0–60 Times
The Jaguar XJ-S 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 3 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver and MotorWeek and more. A further 1 modified or prototype run is listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Jaguar XJ-S is the 1987 Jaguar XJ-S C V12 Convertible, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 8.40 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 16.40 seconds at 95.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
The slowest tested production Jaguar XJ-S is the 1987 Jaguar XJ-S C V12 Convertible, which took 8.40 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 16.40 seconds at 95.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
Across the 3 verified production tests of the Jaguar XJ-S, the average 0–60 mph time is 8.40 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 16.37 seconds at 92.67 mph.
Separately, 1 modified or prototype run is on record for the Jaguar XJ-S, led by the 1988 Jaguar XJ-S Brandenburg Lister Coupe at 4.80 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 8.40sec 1987 C V12 Convertible · stock
Average 0–60 8.40sec Across 3 production runs
Fastest Modified 4.80sec 1988 Brandenburg Lister Coupe · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 16.37sec @ 92.7 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 8.40sec 1987 C V12
Across 3 verified production runs, the Jaguar XJ-S ranges from 8.40 to 8.40 seconds 0–60, with a 8.40-second average. 1 modified or prototype run is recorded separately and excluded from this range.
The Jaguar XJ-S is ranked in these lists
01 /
Jaguar XJ-S Performance Overview
Across 4 verified tests spanning 1986 to 1988, the Jaguar XJ-S presents a tightly documented snapshot of the model’s later performance identity within the broader 1975–1991 XJ-S generation. All recorded examples are gasoline-powered, naturally aspirated cars built around the HE V12, with output in this sample ranging from 262 to 370 hp. The period begins with the 1986 C V12 Convertible, which set the early benchmark at 8.4 seconds to 60 mph, a figure matched by the 1987 C V12 Convertible and representative of the slower end of the tested range.
By 1988, the range broadened significantly. The HE V12 Coupe cut the run to 60 mph to 8.0 seconds, showing modest improvement in the standard V12 coupe format. The outlier was the Brandenburg Lister Coupe, which reset the model’s tested ceiling with a 4.8-second 0-60 time and a 13.1-second quarter-mile at 112 mph. That leaves the XJ-S, in the years covered here, as a gasoline V12 grand tourer with a narrow core band around eight seconds to 60 mph, punctuated by one much quicker 1988 special that remains the fastest recorded example in this dataset.
02 /
Jaguar XJ-S 0–60 Times by Generation
1 generation| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Production Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XJ-S | 1975–1991 | 8.40s | 8.40s — 1987 C V12 Convertible | 3 | The XJ-S generation (1975–1991) averaged 8.40 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1987 C V12 Convertible at 8.40 seconds. Output ranged from 262 to 370 hp across 5.3L V12, 6.0L V12 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average. |
XJ-S 1975–1991
Avg 0–60 8.40s
Fastest 8.40s
Tests 3
1987 C V12 Convertible
The XJ-S generation (1975–1991) averaged 8.40 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1987 C V12 Convertible at 8.40 seconds. Output ranged from 262 to 370 hp across 5.3L V12, 6.0L V12 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average.
03 /
Jaguar XJ-S 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
3 production tests + 1 modified · 3 years ▾
1988 Jaguar XJ-S
0 production runs + 1 modified Avg 0–60 —
Avg ¼ Mile —
Production Tests 0+1 mod
MOD
1988 Jaguar XJ-S Brandenburg Lister Coupe
4.80sec 0–60
13.10s ¼ mi @ 112.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 4.80 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 13.10 sec
- Trap Speed
- 112.0 mph
- Engine
- 6.0L V12
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- Horsepower
- 370 hp
- Torque
- 370 lb-ft
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Tuner
- Lister
- Overall Rank
- Unranked — modified or prototype
How we verify Jaguar XJ-S performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Jaguar XJ-S trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
04 /
Jaguar XJ-S 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
05 /
Jaguar XJ-S performance FAQs
10 questions The quickest 1988 Jaguar XJ-S on record is the Brandenburg Lister Coupe, which ran 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. That car also covered the quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds at 112 mph. It is a heavily modified version, not a standard production XJ-S.
The fastest Jaguar XJ-S on record is the 1988 Brandenburg Lister Coupe. It reaches 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds at 112 mph. That result stands as the quickest overall XJ-S figure, but it comes from a heavily modified car rather than a stock production example.
The fastest stock Jaguar XJ-S 0-60 time on record is 8.4 seconds. That mark is shared by the 1987 C V12 Convertible, which is also the slowest recorded XJ-S to 60 because the stock production results currently cluster at the same 8.4-second figure across the tested examples.
Across 4 verified Jaguar XJ-S tests, the average 0-60 mph time is 7.5 seconds. The average quarter-mile is 15.55 seconds at 97.5 mph. Overall results range from 4.8 seconds to 60 mph for the fastest example to 8.4 seconds for the slowest recorded production cars.
The XJ-S generation Jaguar XJ-S, sold from 1975 to 1991, averages 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds across 4 recorded tests. Its quickest run is 4.8 seconds by the 1988 Brandenburg Lister Coupe. Recorded output spans 262 to 370 horsepower, with naturally aspirated gasoline engines throughout.
The fastest XJ-S generation car is the 1988 Brandenburg Lister Coupe. Within the 1975-1991 Jaguar XJ-S generation, it holds the best 0-60 mph time at 4.8 seconds. It is also the quickest quarter-mile car of the group, recording 13.1 seconds at 112 mph.
The Jaguar XJ-S C V12 Convertible posts an average 0-60 mph time of 8.4 seconds, and its best recorded run is also 8.4 seconds. With 2 tests on record, it is the most frequently tested XJ-S trim and represents the stock production pace most buyers associate with the model.
There is no gap in recorded 0-60 performance between these two tested Jaguar XJ-S trims. The C V12 Convertible has a best time of 8.4 seconds, and the HE V12 Coupe also records 8.4 seconds. On current figures, they are effectively tied in straight-line acceleration to 60 mph.
The Jaguar XJ-S Brandenburg Lister Coupe is the quickest version on record, reaching 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It also delivers the model's best quarter-mile result at 13.1 seconds with a 112 mph trap speed. Its listed output is 370 horsepower and 370 lb-ft, with rear-wheel drive and a naturally aspirated gasoline engine.
Across all recorded Jaguar XJ-S runs, the average quarter-mile time is 15.55 seconds at 97.5 mph. The quickest quarter-mile belongs to the 1988 Brandenburg Lister Coupe at 13.1 seconds and 112 mph. Among standard production cars, the recorded 0-60 results are 8.4 seconds, though quarter-mile details are not listed for every trim.
Sources
Car and Driver
MotorWeek
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Jaguar XJ-S can do, not a single marketing claim.
06 /
Other Jaguar 0–60 times
07 /
Are we missing a performance test for Jaguar XJ-S?
Log in to suggest a missing test.