Jaguar XJ6
Jaguar XJ6 Tyres
- The first XJ6 fitted ER/70 R 15 Dunlop SP Sport. Later Jaguar Saloons fitted 205/70VR15 Pirelli Cinturato P5. (ER/70VR15, is the same size as 205/70VR15).
- Our recommended best tyres to fit to a Jaguar XJ6 would be, either 205/70R15 Pirelli P5, 205/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX or 205/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CN12. They are the highest specification and best handling tyres in the size.
- The fact Jaguar Homologated the 205/70R15 Pirelli P5 with the ‘J’ means that is what they suggest as the best tyre for an XJ6.
- The later XJ40 fitted either 225/65R15 Pirelli P5 or 220/65R390 Avon.
- Recommended tyre pressure for a Jaguar XJ6 Saloon is 36psi front and rear, for more specific detail on individual models see the table below.
- In 1978 Jaguar performed tests on the Pirelli P5 on an XJ.
XJ6 JAGUAR SOVEREIGN TYRES
The Jaguar XJ6 was equipped with 205/70x15 (ER70x15) Dunlop SP Sport tyres as standard, also known as the Dunlop Aquajet. Though these tyres are still around they are sadly no longer made by Dunlop themselves. We would recommend the 205/70WR15 Pirelli P5, 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX or the PIRELLI 205/70VR15 CINTURATO ™ CN12 HS as the best tyres for the Jaguar XJ6 and Sovereign saloon and coupe cars, these are the highest specification tyres in the size. They are actually manufactured in house by Michelin and Pirelli and they are genuine period tyres, so will really suit the cars.
The later Series 3 XJ6 cars did fit a PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ P5 tyre, Pirelli are now making these tyres again in conjunction with Jaguar, who have homologated 205/70WR15 Pirelli P5 for the XJ6 and the 215/70WR15 P5 for the XJ12 tyres with the ‘J’ designation. Which I great, because the P5 was the tyre that Jaguar asked Pirelli to make for the way back in 1977.
Jaguar XJ6 Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Jaguar XJ6
Jaguar XJ6 Tires FAQ Question 1:
Hi! I have a Jaguar XJ6 Series 1 1970 with original rims on, from your website I assume the ER/70R15 Dunlop SP Sport is the correct tyre - correct? My question is, do I need to use inner-tubes for this rim - tyre combination? Many thanks in advance:) Kind Regards, John
Answer
Hi John
Yes that is correct. The XJ6 did come fitted with Dunlop ER/70VR15 SP Sport.
If you have original wheels they do not need inner tubes or rim tapes. Tubes and rim tapes are needed for wire wheels.
The UK Police used the XJ6 Jaguar. They took off the Dunlop and fitted the XWX for improved handling. These are excellent tyres, and you can find other references in Jaguar books recommending them as a great upgrade if you can afford it. Back in the 70's the Dunlop was considerably cheaper, but now the prices are more in line and Michelin make exceptional quality tyres such as the 205/70 15 XWX
The other good news is that PIRELLI are making 205/70VR15 tyres again which are also to quality tyres. PIRELLI are one of the worlds best manufacturers, and the price is excellent as you can see with this 205/70 15 Pirelli P5.
Although the Dunlop was original equipment. However I personally would fit either the 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX or 205/70VR15 PIRELLI CN12
Regards
Dougal
Question 2:
Hi, Is there any possibility that PIRELLI, or someone, will come out with a 20570VR15 with a narrow whitewall? I have a a1975 XJ6C. Regards, Chris
Answer
Hi Chris
We can have a white wall built into the side wall of either the Michelin XWX or the Pirelli Cinturato ™ P5 this is not cheap at 130 per tyre, however it is the only way of having a top quality tyre with a white wall
Jaguar XJ6 Tyre Pressure
| ER/70VR15 Dunlop | 205/70VR15 Cinturato CN12 | 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | 29psi Front - 34psi Rear | 30psi Front - 36psi Rear | 31psi Front - 36psi Rear |
| Series 2 | 33psi Front - 36psi Rear | 33psi Front - 36psi Rear | 33psi Front - 36psi Rear |
| Series 3 | 36psi Front - 36psi Rear | 33psi Front - 36psi Rear | 36psi Front - 36psi Rear |
XJ6 Jaguar History
The classic Jaguar XJ6, using 2.8 Litre and 4.2 Litre straight six cylinder versions of Jaguar's renowned classic XK engine, replaced most of Jaguar's classic saloons which, in the 1960's, had expanded to four separate ranges. Apart from the engines, the other main component carried over from previous models was the widest version of Jaguar's IRS unit from the mark 10.
An upmarket version was marketed under the Daimler brand and called the Daimler sovereign, continuing the name from the Daimler version of the classic Jaguar 420.
The "XJ" designation was from the car's code name during development, standing for Experimental Jaguar. The car was introduced in September 1968. Power assisted steering and leather upholstery were standard on the 2.8 L 'De Luxe' and 4.2 L models and air conditioning was offered as an optional extra on the 4.2 L. Daimler versions were launched in October 1969, in a series of television advertisements featuring Sir William. In these spots, he referred to the car as "the finest Jaguar ever". An unusual feature, inherited from the Jaguar Mark 10, was the provision of two fuel tanks, positioned on each side of the boot, and filled using two separately lockable fuel caps one on the top of each wing above the rear wheel arches.
In March 1970 it was announced that the Borg-Warner Model 8 automatic transmission which the XJ6 had featured since 1968 would be replaced on the 4.2 litre engined XJ6 with a Borg-Warner Model 12 unit, The new gearbox now had three different forward positions accessed via the selector lever, which effectively enabled performance oriented drivers to hold lower ratios at higher revs in order to achieve better acceleration.
In 1972 the option of a long wheel base version, providing a modest increase in leg room for passengers in the back, became available.