# The Land Baron's Choice: 1976 Jaguar XJ-S Tested
Jaguar's XJ-S returned to the spotlight in this week's road test, with Car and Driver taking the helm of a 1976 model year example. The British grand tourer arrived at a crossroads for the brand and the industry at large.
The XJ-S launched in 1975 as Jaguar's answer to a changing market. The company needed to replace the aging E-Type, a car that had dominated sports car consciousness for 14 years. Enzo Ferrari called the E-Type the most beautiful car ever made, and Jaguar knew any successor faced astronomical expectations.
Rather than build a raw, lightweight sportster, Jaguar pitched the XJ-S as a grand tourer. The car combined a 5.3-liter V12 engine producing 285 horsepower with a 2+2 seating arrangement and genuine luggage space. The target buyer was a successful businessman who wanted performance without sacrifice. Leather, wood trim, and power steering came standard.
The 1976 model carried over the original design with minor changes. Jaguar fitted a new front grille and revised bumpers to meet emerging safety regulations. The V12 remained carbureted, generating reasonable power for the era but struggling with cold-start reliability and emissions compliance.
Performance figures tell the story. The XJ-S accelerated from zero to 60 miles per hour in roughly 7.5 seconds, respectable for a 3,600-pound car in 1976. Top speed approached 155 miles per hour. Fuel economy hovered around 12 miles per gallon in mixed driving, making the V12's thirst a genuine consideration for owners.
The automotive landscape of 1976 presented challenges. Oil embargoes had shaken confidence in powerful engines. Japanese manufacturers offered reliable alternatives with better fuel economy. Jaguar faced skepticism about British build quality and durability. The XJ-S needed to prove itself as more than a symbol of British luxury.
Car and Driver's assessment focused on what the XJ-S actually delivered. The test driver noted responsive steering, composed handling through corners, and a smooth V12 that rewarded spirited driving. The interior provided genuine comfort for long journeys. Air conditioning, automatic transmission, and power brakes made the car docile in traffic.
Weaknesses emerged. The massive steering wheel required effort at parking speeds despite power assistance. Interior panel gaps revealed inconsistent assembly standards. The dashboard layout felt dated compared to contemporary German competitors like Mercedes-Benz. Fuel consumption demanded frequent fill-ups.
The 1976 XJ-S occupied a specific niche. Buyers valued British heritage, V12 exclusivity, and grand touring capability over technological innovation. The car attracted owners who accepted compromise as the price of owning something special.
Jaguar produced the XJ-S for 21 years, ultimately building over 100,000 examples. The model outlasted the E-Type by seven years, proving the grand tourer formula found a durable market. Today's collector market recognizes early examples like this 1976 as significant transitional cars in Jaguar's evolution.
The XJ-S established a template that influenced luxury car design for decades. The notion of blending raw performance with everyday usability became increasingly valuable. Jaguar's willingness to abandon the pure sports car formula paid dividends, even if enthusiasts initially mourned the passing of the E-Type era.