There appears to be quite some commonalities between these cars.
The XJS of course had the difficult task to follow up on the well beloved E-Type. An iconic sports car with looks that were highly appreciated. In fact Enzo Ferrari considered it one of the most beautiful car ever.
The 400 had also the difficult task to outbeat it's curvy predecessors. Although the 2+2 series were never truly beloved or admired. Simply because they are not true sport cars and as such considered less interesting.
When both cars were launched at the time they stunned the majority of the audience, or should I say dissapointed them. It was a brave decission to launch these completely new designs and brake with tradition. It simply opened a new era. If you look back now it makes perfect sense. Both cars are a true seventies product.
Apart from the design aspects the XJS could not live up to the expected sport aspirations as was the case on the E-type. It was more considered a grand tourer. The same story goes for the 400, especially when the automatic version was introduced. But it's exactly what these cars are, Gran Turismo's.
Despite all the critics they both had a very long production run and were sold in fairly high numbers.
Interestingly both made use of the same automatic gearbox, a THM400 by GM.
Furthermore they are both also 2+2 but in essence only kids will fit in the back.
They both have the typical classic long bonnet and fitted with a respectable boot for Luggage.
Apart from the different designs the other big difference is the drive itself, the XJS is more refined and very quiet, it's like a flying carpet. The 400 feels firm and powerfull and is very loud, it's like a locomotion.
Now have a read and see what they have to say about the XJS and 400. Click the picture to enlarge.
Oh, another very unique feature is that both cars used for this article happen to have a manual gearbox. And in this case the Ferrari is not red either.
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