According to what I’ve read, the XJ-S and the Testarossa both use Connolly Autolux leather.
I own both of these cars, and the leather grain couldn’t be more different.
One website says, “Autolux is a high grade leather with a smooth finish. The range is as supplied to a large variety of prestige automotive manufacturers, including Ferrari and Jaguar. The choice is based on the old Connolly colour palette.”
I wouldn’t categorize the leather in my Jag as having a “smooth finish,” but the Ferrari’s leather is certainly smooth — almost no visible grain at all.
Car model year may account for differences, as the finishing processes, and the hide thicknesses used, evolved. My 95 XJS is what i consider smooth leather with very little apparent grain.
Never been in a Ferrari so can’t say much.
I have seen photos of classic Jaguars with more apparent grain visible
The leather spec varied over the years. I am sure that many XJSs didn’t have Autolux. I think only select facelift cars had it….perhaps the last couple years of V12 production? Or just certain special edition models?
On closer inspection, there’s a wide variety of grains in my Jag. The tops of the door cards are almost as grain-free as the leather in the Ferrari, but the leather on the seat cushions is, I think, actually embossed to create a fake, deep grain.
@Doug_Dwyer I thought they all had Autolux. You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to get these facts, but I guess record keeping at both Jaguar and Connolly was different in those days.
@AttyDallas Neither. I am a middle manager at a software company. I just have backward priorities.
@JimD_in_Alabama If you’re ever up near Toronto, ping me and I’ll let you drive the TR.
Autolux is the name of the company that supplies the leather. Connolly just refers to it being painted instead of dyed. As with any leather company, they have several choices of finishes that can be applied to the surface to achieve different finishes and textures. Jaguar, like many other car makers, economized with a lot of matched vinyl. The best option is a semi aniline dyed leather that wont rub off on the seat bolsters and other high use areas. Since this is allowed to breathe, you still get that genuine leather smell and the conditioner penetrates the surface to keep it supple. I have a 12 year old Bentley that still looks and smells like new. My XJ-S is getting the same leather reupholstered to it. If anyone is thinking about getting the seats, door panels of console reupholstered, I would ask what the difference in cost to upgrade.
What year is the XJS you have and model, the XJS 4.0 CARS WERE NOT AUTO LUX IN 94 mine is not… I recall only the XJS 6.0 V12 THE VDP AND XJ12 were Autolux.
That’s because it’s not true. Connolly was a large leather supplier, who had many grades of leather, including high grade sub brands such as Autolux and Vaulmol. Jaguar changed grades throughout production, but it was pretty much all Connolly but not often Autolux. Connolly also sold lower grades for cheaper cars Austins, Morris, etc.
Connolly went bankrupt about 20 years ago and is now a specialist supplier. They reproduce Vaulmol but not Autolux. https://www.connollybros.co.uk/
There might be some confusion here…Connolised leather was basicaly a painted surface on the leather developed by the Connoly company and widely used …Connoly also have other leather products…Steve
I remember being told by an Aston Martin salesman that the Connolly leather they used only came from cows penned in with Electric fences to avoid the hides being skagged by barbed wire.
Connolly history page says most of the hides came from Scandanavia, where the quality was better because the cows spent most of their lives indoors (due to severe winters) and were not subjected to barbed wire or warble flies
Recommend for what?..if your after UK trimmers/suppliers. …then BAS, south wales…not to be confused with the US BAS…Aldridge, Wolverhampton…Skinners…GB trim…All very good…Steve
Are you a doctor or a lawyer? 
