5.0 V8 & 5.0 V8 Supercharged — Jaguar AJ133

Last updated: 18 June 2012

The 2010 facelift brought Jaguar's all-new 5.0-litre AJ133 with direct injection?Direct injection sprays fuel straight into the cylinder at high pressure rather than into the intake port — more power and efficiency, but it can lead to carbon build-up on the intake valves over time.. Naturally aspirated it makes 375 hp; supercharged, a mighty 510 hp. More power and no worse economy than before — but the early engines have a well-known timing-chain weakness you must check.

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Photo: 5.0 V8 / supercharged engine bay

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ENGINE QUICK FACTS

Engine code	Jaguar AJ133
Type	5.0 V8 (NA & S/C)
Power	375 / 510 hp
Torque	510 / 625 Nm
0-60	7.6 / 6.2 s
Years	2010-2012
Gearbox	ZF 6HP28
Verdict	Mighty; watch timing chain

WATCH OUT 2010 to early-2012 5.0 engines (both NA and S/C) can suffer timing-chain tensioner and guide wear, dependent on oil-change history. Land Rover introduced revised chain parts at a specific 2012 VIN. Do not buy a 2010-2012 5.0 unless the updated chain components are fitted or you have budgeted for them.

AT A GLANCE Reliability: ●●●○○ chain caveat · Performance: ●●●●● (S/C) very fast · Running cost: high

Strengths	Weaknesses
+ Strong power, efficient DI engine	– Early timing-chain tensioner wear
+ Newest interior, electronics, dash	– Complex high-pressure fuel system
+ S/C version is seriously rapid	– DI carbon build-up over high miles

Specifications

Engine code	AJ133 (LR "LR-V8 Petrol")
Configuration	90° V8, direct injection; NA or supercharged
Displacement	5,000 cc
Bore × stroke	92.5 mm × 93.0 mm
Power (NA)	approx. 375 hp (276 kW) @ 6,500 rpm
Torque (NA)	approx. 510 Nm (380 lb-ft) @ 3,500 rpm
Power (S/C)	approx. 510 hp (380 kW) @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (S/C)	approx. 625 Nm (461 lb-ft) @ 2,500 rpm
Gearbox	ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
Years in L322	2010-2012

Performance & economy

Manufacturer / period figures; real-world economy is typically lower. Petrols were often LPG-converted to cut fuel costs.

0-60 / 0-62 mph	NA: 7.6 sec · S/C: 6.2 sec (0-62)
Top speed	NA: 130 · S/C: 140 mph
Economy	NA: ~24.2 · S/C: ~22.7 mpg
CO₂ emissions	~299-348 g/km
Kerb weight	~2,550-2,600 kg
Bore × stroke	92.5 mm × 93.0 mm
Torque (NA)	510 Nm / 325 lb-ft @ 3,500
Torque (S/C)	625 Nm / 461 lb-ft @ 2,500

Power vs the L322 range

This engine	510 hp
Range span	177 hp (Td6) ——— 510 hp (5.0 S/C)

Design & technology

The AJ133 is a clean-sheet, all-aluminium V8 with spray-guided direct injection, shared with Jaguar's XF, XK and XFR/XKR. The supercharged version uses a roots-type blower for 510 hp. The switch to direct injection gives more power and efficiency, at the cost of intake-valve carbon build-up over very high mileage and a costlier high-pressure fuel system.

Performance

The naturally aspirated 5.0 (375 hp) is brisk; the supercharged (510 hp) is genuinely fast for a 2.5-tonne SUV, reaching 60 mph in the low-5-second range. Both feel more modern and eager than the older Jaguar V8s, helped by the smooth 8-speed ZF auto.

Reliability

The defining issue is the timing chain on 2010 to early-2012 engines. Whether a given car has trouble depends heavily on oil-change discipline; engines run on neglected oil are the ones that suffer. Owners report the late-2012-revised parts and the L322's well-proven cooling system as positives. The electronics on 2010-2012 cars are also seen as more reliable than earlier L322s, and the steering-column issue of older cars is gone.

Common faults to check

Issue	Symptom & notes
Timing chain tensioner/guides	Rattle, especially cold start; the key check on any 2010-2012 5.0.
High-pressure fuel pump	DI system is costlier; watch for fuelling faults.
Intake carbon (DI)	Build-up over high mileage; de-carbon if rough.
Supercharger (S/C)	As 4.2 S/C — coupler/intercooler upkeep.
Service history	Oil-change record is decisive for chain health.

Maintenance notes

Strict oil-change intervals are the single most important factor for chain life.
Confirm whether the revised chain tensioner/guides are fitted before buying.
Budget for the high-pressure fuel system and possible de-carbon at high miles.
On S/C cars, maintain the supercharger?supercharger — A belt-driven air compressor that forces more air into the engine for big extra power, with no turbo lag. and intercooler circuit.

Verdict

VERDICT The most powerful and modern L322 petrols, with the best interior and electronics. The timing-chain issue on early cars is the deal-breaker to check: a 5.0 with updated chain parts and a full oil-change history is a superb car; one without is a gamble.

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