• The Vanden Plas is distinguishable from lesser XJ6 trims with unique exterior panels.Open Road image by Chris B from Fotolia.com
  
  The 1997 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas is the top trim-level XJ6, offering the highest degree of luxury within the model range. The XJ6 is a mid-size luxury sedan competing in its day with the likes of the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS. The Vanden Plas package is based off the lengthened XJ model. It does not change power trains, instead adding unique exterior and interior touches and a long list of options now made standard.
  
  

Engine

• The Jaguar's heart is a longitudinally mounted 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder, both head and block made from a light alloy rather than steel. The 24-valve unit has dual overhead cams and automatic valve adjustment. Bore and stroke are 3.58 and 4.02 inches, respectively, with a 10-to-1 compression ratio. Power output is 245 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and 289 pound-feet torque at 4,000 rpm. As for fuel economy, buyers can expect 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway.
  
  

Drivetrain and Chassis

• The Vanden Plas shares a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration with the rest of the XJ model line. One transmission choice was available, a four-speed automatic unit with overdrive and a 3.5-to-1 final drive ratio. As for suspension, the car uses a wishbone fully independent setup at all four wheels with coil springs both front and rear. Four-wheel ventilated discs with standard ABS handle the braking.
  
  

Exterior

• The XJ6 Vanden Plas measures a stately 202.8 inches long, 70.8 inches wide and 53.5 inches tall. Wheelbase comes in at 117.9 inches with a 4130-pound curb weight. This is a full five inches longer and 50 pounds heavier than the standard XJ6, though other dimensions stay the same. Other special features include a body-color grille rather than the standard chrome and body accents done out in chrome. Body-color revised front and rear bumpers replace chrome units found on other models. Special badging and unique wheels round out the exterior package.
  
  

Interior

• The interior is decked out with leather seating, and leather and wood accents abound. A driver's seat with power controls and memory function is standard, and an option on lesser models. Seating is for five, with a generous 41.2 inches front and 39.2 inches rear legroom. A premium 8-speaker CD-changer sound system with AM and FM radio is standard as well.