No. 187 of 207
The Jaguar XK is a two-door 2+2 grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Cars from 1996–2012 and by Jaguar Land Rover from 2013–2014 in hatchback coupé and convertible body styles, across two generations. The XK was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1996 and was discontinued in July 2014.
The first generation was marketed as the XK8, replacing the XJS and was Jaguar's first 8-cylinder model since the Daimler 250, introducing the all-new Jaguar AJ-V8 engine. The XK8 shared its platform with the Aston Martin DB7 which was itself based on the stillborn XJ41/42 project built on a modified XJ-S chassis conceived in the mid-1980s. The second generation of the XK, noted for its aluminiummonocoque chassis and construction, was launched in 2006 for the 2007 model year. The XKR performance variant was introduced in both of the generations with the second generation also offering a more powerful XKR-S variant.
The XK8 (1996–2006) was launched in 1996 to replace the XJS designed by then Jaguar design director Geoff Lawson. It was available in two body styles – a two-door coupé and two-door convertible with both variations featuring 2+2 seating. The car was the first in the Jaguar line-up to use Jaguar's newly developed 32-valve V8 engine – the AJ-V8 which had a displacement of 4.0 liters.
The XK8 was joined by a more powerful XKR in 1998. The XKR featured a supercharged variation of the V8 engine rated at 276 kW (375 PS; 370 hp). The engine was shared with the XJR but featured a new intercooler and a two-piece driveshaft. The supercharger was manufactured by Eaton and displaced at 2.0 litres. It generated 11.9 pounds of boost pressure to contribute to the higher power output. Visual differences from the XK8 included a rear spoiler, mesh front grille and hood louvres on the bonnet for improved airflow to the engine.
The XK8 came standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, while 18-inch (standard on the XKR), 19-inch, and 20-inch wheels were available for the XK8 and XKR at an additional cost. Jaguar's Adaptive Cruise Control is an optional feature available on both models. Both models came with all-leather interior, burl walnut trim, and side airbags. Two interior configurations were offered, the sport configuration was aimed at young buyers and had a leather interior with cloth seats while the classic trim featured more amenities.
The XK range received a mechanical update in 2002 with the engines in both the XK8 and XKR models being enlarged to 4.2 liters and gaining more power, the front headlamps were also updated by the addition of a clear lens. Further changes included new exterior colors and wheels along with different badging. The models were revised again in spring 2004 and notable changes included new wheel designs, bigger front and rear spoilers and a redesigned grille.
Initially, the ZF 5HP24 five-speed automatic transmission was coupled to the conventionally aspirated 4.0-litre model and a Mercedes W5A580 five-speed transmission to the supercharged version, but in 2002 the new ZF 6HP26 six-speed automatic transmission was fitted in both versions of the 4.2-litre model.
4.2-liter V-8 engine
294 horsepower
6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive
101.9-inch wheelbase
Original price of $74,830
Modern & Imports / 1980–Today
More from the collection.
1980 Metro Plumbing Sprint Car
1980 Auburn 866 Boattail Speedster (Replica)
1981 DMC DeLorean
1987 Chevrolet El Camino Custom
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix SE (Daytona 500 Pace Car Edition)
1990 Ford NASCAR "Baby Ruth Car"
1991 Buick Reatta Convertible
1992 Chevrolet Corvette Lister C4
1993 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 40th Anniversary Edition
1994 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
