Krefeld luxury-vehicle manufacturer and refinement specialist creating independently numbered Arden cars from Jaguar, Range Rover, Bentley and Mini foundations

AA Identity / Register monogram
45models on record
1982–2026recorded span
Model activity by decade
1980s2020s
About the marque
Founded
1972
Headquarters
Krefeld, Germany

Jochen Arden obtained his first retail authorization in 1972 and established Arden Automobile GmbH at Kleve in 1976. A Jaguar dealership agreement led to the AJ 1 XJ V12 in December 1982. The coachbuilt AJ 2 Cabriolet followed at the 1985 Frankfurt show; because its complete powered-roof XJS conversion went beyond accessory tuning, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority recognized Arden as a manufacturer under KBA number 770. Arden then developed independently numbered Jaguar sedans, coupes, convertibles, shooting brakes and prototypes, later extending its system to Range Rover AR, Bentley AB and Mini AM vehicles. Highlights include the near-300-km/h AJ 3 Station Car, twin-turbo AJ 5, A-Type Lightweight RS, 703-PS AJ 23 and current fifty-car AJ 50 V12 E-Type restomod. The business moved to Krefeld in 1991, ended normal Jaguar dealership activity in 1999 and continues engineering, bespoke manufacture, classic restoration and refinement. Donor marques remain identified on every record; Arden production is not silently added to Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley or Mini totals.

Text adapted from “Arden Automobilbau” on Wikipedia ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Catalog

45 models

models
1982–1992
AJ 1 (Jaguar XJ V12)

Opening complete Arden Jaguar: revised aerodynamics, chassis, brakes, cabin and V12 performance.

CURATED
1985–1988
AJ 2 Cabriolet

IAA-debuted powered-roof full convertible that earned Arden KBA manufacturer number 770 before Jaguar sold its own XJS convertible.

CURATED
1985–1991
AJ 2 Coupé (Jaguar XJS V12)

XJS V12 grand tourer program paired with Arden engine, chassis, aerodynamic and interior work.

CURATED
1987–1989
AJ 3 Station Car

Hand-built XJS estate conversion described by Arden as nearly 300 km/h; distinct roof, tail and luggage bodywork.

CURATED
1987–1992
AJ 4 (Jaguar XJ V12)

Later Series III XJ development, separately numbered from AJ 1 and sold with deeper V12 and chassis refinement.

CURATED
1987–1992
AJ 5 Biturbo

Twin-turbo XJ40 producing 330 PS and a published 256 km/h, publicly shown at Geneva in 1988.

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1989–1991
AJ 6 2+2 Coupé

IAA-debuted 2+2 XJS rebody with an Arden roof and cabin arrangement rather than a trim package alone.

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1989–1996
AJ 7 Cabriolet

Later Arden XJS open-car program following the pioneering AJ 2 roof conversion.

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1990–1994
AJ 8 (Jaguar XJ40 / XJ81)

Unified Arden program for late XJ40 six-cylinder and XJ81 V12 sedans.

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1994–1997
AJ 11 (Jaguar X300)

Separately numbered high-performance X300 derivative preserved because Arden's own anniversary register lists it beside AJ 9.

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1994–1997
AJ 9 (Jaguar XJ)

First Arden program for Jaguar's X300-generation XJ, with aerodynamic, chassis and power upgrades.

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1997–2002
AJ 10 (Jaguar X308)

X308 range with front spoiler, rear apron, side skirts, sports suspension, brakes, exhaust and model-specific power increases.

CURATED
1997
AJ 12 Prototype

Physical one-off development vehicle retained as a prototype; accessible official material does not identify a series-production donor or output.

CURATED
1997–2002
AJ 13 (Jaguar XJR)

Performance-focused supercharged XJR derivative distinct from the broader AJ 10 X308 range.

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1997–2002
AR 1

Opening numbered Range Rover refinement program following Arden's Rover Group cooperation.

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1997–2002
AR 2

Second P38 configuration with its own body, cabin and technical specification in Arden's official register.

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1998–2002
AR 3

Armored Range Rover developed after Arden's MBB Security Cars agreement and shown at Security 1998.

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1999–2005
AJ 15 A-Type

A-Type rebody for the first-generation XK, using widened bodywork and major chassis and powertrain changes.

CURATED
2000–2005
AJ 16 A-Type Lightweight RS

Hand-built road-legal competition development of the A-Type with a 4.5-litre supercharged V8 and more than 540 PS in RS form.

CURATED
2001–2009
AJ 18 (Jaguar X-Type)

Compact all-wheel-drive Jaguar program; not conflated with period marketing that reused AJ 18 wording for A-Type Lightweight accessories.

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2002–2007
AJ 17 (Jaguar S-Type R)

Arden treatment for the supercharged S-Type R, including engine, exhaust, suspension, brakes and understated body changes.

CURATED
2002–2005
AR 4

Opening L322-generation Arden conversion.

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2003–2009
AJ 14 (Jaguar XJR)

Aluminum-bodied X350-generation 'Noble Cat' given a more muscular stance and Arden performance program.

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2003–2009
AJ 19 (Jaguar XJ)

Broader aluminum XJ program alongside the XJR-specific AJ 14.

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2005–2012
AR 5

Sport-oriented Range Rover program publicly expanded in the mid-2000s.

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2005–2012
AR 6 Stronger

Stronger wide-body derivative with more assertive aerodynamic and wheel treatment than AR 5.

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2005–2012
AR 7 Highlander

Highlander specification combining a wide-body conversion with bespoke luxury interior and performance choices.

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2006–2014
AJ 20 (Jaguar XK/XKR)

Second-generation XK program, including Wild Cat and 645-PS AJ 20 RS forms; a 5.0-litre XKR cabriolet competed at the 2010 Tuner Grand Prix.

CURATED
2007–2011
AB 1 (Bentley)

Opening Bentley refinement program with Arden body, wheel, cabin and performance work.

CURATED
2007–2011
AB 2 Continental GTC

Convertible-specific Continental program separated by Arden in its official model register.

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2008–2015
AJ 21 Fast Cat

XF-based Fast Cat with Arden aerodynamics, chassis tuning, braking, exhaust and power upgrades.

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2009–2019
AJ 22 (Jaguar XJ)

X351-generation XJ refinement program, separated from earlier AJ 19 aluminum XJ.

CURATED
2009–2013
AM 1 (Mini Cooper S)

Hand-signed limited Mini with stainless grilles, Challenge wheels, upgraded brakes, suspension, exhaust and bespoke cabin.

CURATED
2010–2013
AM 2 (Mini Cooper S)

Cup-spoiler Mini with about 45 PS added through control unit, airbox and sports-catalyst exhaust; 2010 Auto Bild category winner.

CURATED
2011–2018
AB 3 Continental GTC

Successor GTC conversion for the second Continental generation.

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2011–2013
AM 3 (Mini John Cooper Works)

249-PS JCW derivative with intercooler and exhaust, quoted at 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and TÜV approved.

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2011–2018
AR 8 City Roader

First-generation Evoque conversion positioned as Arden's compact urban Range Rover.

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2013 – present
AJ 23 (Jaguar F-Type)

F-Type family spanning road upgrades through the 703-PS carbon-aerodynamic AJ 23 SVR/RS; winner of a 2014 Sport Auto reader award.

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2013–2022
AR 10

Second-generation Range Rover Sport program, distinct from AR 9's full-size L405 basis.

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2013–2021
AR 9 Spirit

L405-generation Spirit with redesigned bodywork and optional technical upgrades.

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2015–2024
AJ 24 (Jaguar XE)

XE-based aerodynamic and performance program recognized in the 2016 Sport Auto awards.

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2016 – present
AJ 25 (Jaguar F-Pace)

Arden's first numbered Jaguar SUV program, combining an aerodynamic package with wheel, exhaust, chassis and power options.

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2018 – present
AR 11 Evoque

Later Evoque program with Arden front spoiler, rear insert and sport exhaust.

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2018 – present
AR 12

Current-generation flagship Range Rover conversion introduced publicly by 2018.

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2026 – present
AJ 50 V12
Limited

Digitally re-engineered E-Type restomod with reinforced chassis, aluminum bonnet, 6.3-litre V12, six-speed gearbox and 550 PS road tune; limited to…

50 builtCURATED