Jaguar XJ Supersport | Spotted

While it was always easy to predict that interest in the 5.0-litre V8 Jaguars would increase when they were gone, truth is they always held an awful lot of appeal. Didn’t matter if it was in new cars, lightly used bargains or a temptingly cheap brave pill, the AJ133 would just keep us coming back for more. It was such a perfect fit for Jaguar’s way of doing saloons and sports cars, where a little bit too much was always just about right. 

Smaller engined F-Types would handle more eagerly; a diesel XJ would be just as refined; and the sixes made quite a nice sound as well. But the V8 experience was unrivalled, the blood and guts fury of a force-fed 5.0-litre motor the perfect accompaniment to some fine Jag chassis. You would always have looked elsewhere for the very sharpest sports cars and saloons; but for the most beguiling, there was little comparison. 

If there could be a criticism, it was perhaps that the R-badged Jags could perhaps be just a tiny bit OTT. Part of the point of course, when trying to tempt customers from BMW Ms, AMGs and Porsches, but not ideal for those who wanted to hide their V8 light under a bushel. It’s why the old F-Type P450 was so appealing, because the sound and the feel (and a lot of the performance) was there from the R, without the price premium or punchier styling. 

Same goes for the XJ Supersport. The 510hp, six-speed precursor to the XJR wasn’t a huge seller new – the diesels were more important, and the XJR was coming – then largely forgotten about after. But it was only 40hp less powerful – 510hp against 550hp – and really was supremely discreet. Even by fast Jag standards, there’s nothing to give the supercharged V8 game away; no badges, just the pair of tailpipes, and smart – but not silly – 20-inch wheels. It looks like a fabulous way to go fast without attracting attention. 

As models like the final XJR 575s become more collectible (and valuable), so the Supersports look all the more appealing. The engine is not without its issues, of course, but because it found so many homes throughout the JLR empire plenty is known about it. And more power is surely only a shorter supercharger pulley away. 

This one might be too nice for such mischievous meddling. It’s covered fewer than 60,000 miles in 13 years with three owners, it’s only ever been serviced at Jaguar agents, and there are matching Dunlops on each of the unmarked wheels. It seems like the first owner ticked a few boxes as well, given this Supersport has heated and cooled seats, Bowers & Wilkins sound, plus rear screens. It’s easy to imagine this car’s £19,490 asking price being something like 20 per cent of the original RRP, basically. In case your hankering for a 5.0-litre Jag needed any help. 

Engine: 5,000cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 510@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 461@2,500rpm
MPG: 24.9
CO2: 264g/km
Recorded mileage: 56,000
Year registered: 2012
Price new: £87,455 (2010, before options)
Price now: £19,490