2009 Jaguar XJR

Finished in Liquid Silver Metallic with a Charcoal leather interior and American walnut veneer trim, this amazing Jaguar XJR was brought back to the UK from Japan in 2023. 

As we’ve said so many times before, cars that’ve spent their lives in Japan can make a brilliant buy as their condition, and often specification, is generally far higher than cars who’ve had to fight through a decade or more of salty British winters.

‘LB58 ZVU’ is no exception. Converted to the full UK-spec following its registration here in June 2023, it boasts an MPH speedometer, UK sat-nav, a Bury Bluetooth system with an MP3 input, and a full-size numberplate plinth.

It has also been treated to a full service covering the suspension bushes and a gearbox service in addition to the usual engine oil and multiple filter replacements. 

It also had a full valet including a machine polish followed by a ceramic coating, and the interior leather was professionally cleaned and treated with hide food.

With a long Mot and just 49,000 miles on the clock, the seller tells us it “drives as new”.

Remember what we said about specification? Well, this one is absolutely loaded with Bi-Xenon headlamps, an electric tilt and slide sunroof, mesh upper and lower front grills, headlamp power wash, double-glazed acoustic glass, a reversing camera, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

And that little lot is all in addition to that glorious Liquid Silver Metallic coachwork that’s one of the very best we’ve ever seen thanks to the pampering and easy winters it’s benefitted from.

With perfect shutlines, no dents, dinks, or other damage, and an unholy shine it presents wonderfully. Even the door mirrors and the corners of the bumpers, usually the first places to betray a busy city life, are free of scuffs.

Those large, 20-inch alloy wheels, which in careless hands are so easily kerbed, are free of any damage whatsoever – and if you need further proof of the quality of the car’s curation in Japan the wheels are also fitted with a matching set of Accelera tyres. 

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The badges, glazing, and lamp lenses are also excellent and the numberplates are the correct, UK-sized versions.

The tilt and slide glass sunroof fits the aperture perfectly and operates smoothly, opening and closing at the touch of a button.

The interior is stuffed to the gunwales with toys including three-stage heated and cooled front seats that are, like the mirrors and pedals, electrically adjustable and have a memory function. 

The seats themselves are subtly embossed with the ‘R’ logo and are as comfortable and supportive as you’d expect given the XJR’s sporting credentials. Edged with contrasting white stitching and only very gently creased, they could be only a few years old rather than 14.

Those sitting in the back of the Jaguar haven’t been forgotten and can enjoy heated rear seats, an electric blind for the rear screen plus two individual rear door blinds per door, plus an entertainment console all their own. Located in the armrest between the seats, the latter will provide hours of fun, which might be useful if you’re planning on taking your kids on any long journeys…

Music is taken care of via an Alpine audio system with complete with a subwoofer and Bluetooth capability. The cruise control system has a useful speed limit control built in.

And yet, for all its toys, it’s the ambience that strikes you first; the combination of Charcoal leather and American walnut is timelessly elegant yet utterly up-to-date. Throw in a few judiciously placed chrome controls and you’ve got a fabulous combination whose condition is every bit as good as the photographs suggest.

Take a look at the headlining, for example, and the carpets and the door cards and the dashboard and the walnut veneer. All tell a tale of a life gently led. 

The boot, which is home to a space-saver spare wheel, battery, warning triangle and the tool kit, is very good. But then you’d guessed that by now, hadn’t you?

The benefits are buying a car from Japan are clear; alongside the absence of any serious rust whatsoever comes the fact that they tend to maintain their cars with an unusual degree of diligence.

And examining the underside could not make this any clearer.

The engine bay is a delight too, and only the most fastidious of owners will feel the need to do anything other than admire it.

As you can see, the supercharged V8 engine starts well, idles as it should, and revs freely. The seller tells us it “drives like new” and there are no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard.

The XJR’s MoT certificate, which is valid until May 2024, was gained with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and it comes with a UK V5 registration document, the full Jaguar book pack, two keys, and the importation paperwork.

The Jaguar XJR has semi-mythical status; as an ultra-quick, super-saloon capable of destroying continents in a single sitting, it also soothes and cossets as only a Jaguar can.

The aluminium superstructure and body also rule out the sort of rust and corrosion that has killed more big cats that the Trump brothers – and servicing costs are more reasonable than you might imagine.

All of which should add up to a suitably impressive price tag. But it doesn’t. 

Because, despite this one’s impressive condition and history we think it’s only going to fetch somewhere between £16,000 and £20,000, which seems like fine value to us, especially when you factor in its provenance.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.