Probably Britain’s most storied car brand, winner of the classic Le Mans 24-hour race seven times, and maker of the world’s most beautiful car (or so rival car boss Enzo Ferrari described the iconic E-type): Jaguar enjoys a rich history. If maker JLR has its way, it will have a successful future too. A range of bold new luxury electric vehicles are promised. Sales start in 2026.
Jaguar can trace its roots back to the Swallow Sidecar company, maker of motorcycle sidecars, in 1922. It became a car maker, as SS Cars, in 1934 in Coventry, its home ever since. The company was started by William Lyons, one of the most influential figures in the British motor industry. Its most celebrated pre-war car was the SS Jaguar 100, an early example of the very beautiful two-seat sports cars for which Jaguar would become famous. As SS wasn’t a popular set of initials in post-war Britain, the name of the company was changed to Jaguar Cars in 1945.
Some wonderful and highly successful cars followed, including iconic roadsters like the XK120 of 1948 – the world’s fastest road car at the time (the name referred to its heady 120 mph top speed). Jaguar’s most famous car, the E-type, was launched in 1961. Like the earlier sports cars, it proved a big success in export markets, especially the USA.
The C-type and D-type Jaguars famously won Le Mans in the ’50s. The handsome Mk2 of 1959 was feted as one of the world’s first modern sports saloons. The subsequent XJ6 of 1968 was the first in a long and noble line of XJ luxury cars, that vied for the title of ‘best saloon in the world’ for the next 50 years.
Jaguar became part of the vast British Leyland group in the ’60s, then briefly went independent. Ford bought it in 1989, greatly boosting Jaguar production. India’s Tata took over Jaguar in 2008, along with Land Rover. JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) was formed. Some fine cars followed, not least the F-type sports car and the I-Pace electric sports SUV. The E-Pace and F-Pace would prove popular premium SUVs.
In 2026, Jaguar will undergo a revolution – all new models, all electric, boldly styled, more luxurious, more exclusive. The first new car, we are told, will be a 4-door GT. The next chapter in the Jaguar story is ready to be written.
Hendy currently represents Jaguar at 2 outlets.
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