A Concise History of Jaguar

The first Jaguar was presented by William Lyons in 1935 and heralded a line of saloons and sports cars that would be celebrated throughout the world. After the Second World War, Jaguar Cars became established as a foremost manufacturer of innovative high-performance cars. From the launch of the XK engine and XK120 sports car in 1948, through the sensational arrival of the E-Type, icon of the 1960s, and the XJ6, the definitive Jaguar for more than twenty years, Jaguar continued to be a byword for speed and style. The company successfully navigated the tight bends of changing ownership against the backdrop of industrial unrest in the British motor industry. While other famous car marques were consigned to history, Jaguar renewed itself and met the challenges of new markets and tastes. Independent ownership under Sir John Egan in the 1980s was followed by a takeover by Ford and an expanded model range to include the S-Type and X-Type. In 2008 the company was sold again to Tata Motors of India and further widened with the development of the F-Pace SUV and the i-Pace, its first electric car.

Award-winning motoring journalist Ray Hutton’s long experience and inside knowledge of the motor industry makes this book an essential companion to Britain’s most successful manufacturer of sporting luxury cars.

Ray Hutton was Editor-in-Chief of Autocar 1975–1984, thereafter working for various magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide, notably The Sunday Times, Car and Driver (USA), Motor Trader (UK) and Overdrive (India). He was President of the international Car of the Year Jury 1998–2009. He is Vice-president of the Guild of Motoring Writers and an Associate member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.