Modern Classic: Jaguar XK8
The coupe and convertible Jaguar XK8 were launched in 1996. Photos: Supplied
As I was travelling back from Waiheke on the car ferry, a car parked behind me took my eye – a mink blue Jaguar XK8 coupe – and it still looks special in 2020.
It became the inspiration for this column as I particularly like the smoothly sculptured rear with its high boot and beautifully integrated rear lights.
The XK8 (project code X100) was launched by Jaguar in 1996 in both coupe and convertible form, to replace the then ageing XJS coupe and convertible. These had been kept on life support since their 1975 launch.
The XK8 was conceived as early as 1989, in an era where Jaguar was taken over by Ford and efficiency was the name of the day. Designers Geoff Lawson and Fergus Pollock styled the XK8, which kept the XJS floor plan but with everything else being brand new.
A decision was made to replace the XJS’s 5.3-litre V12 engine with a V8 to keep weight down. Initially, the XK8 burst on the 1996 sports car scene with a 32 valve 4-litre V8 putting out 216kW at 6100 rpm, propelling it to 250km/h and with a then respectable 6.7-second sprint to the 100 km/h mark (or 7.0 seconds for the convertible).
The range was bolstered in 1998 with a supercharged version of the V8 called the "XKR" with 276kW which brought the 0 to 100km/h sprint down to 5.4 seconds for the coupe and 5.6 seconds for the convertible. Both engines ran five-speed automatic transmissions.
The interior ran two alternate themes of "sport" and "classic". The sport trim was more youthful with leather mixed with cloth upholstery, whilst the classic trim had more leather.
In typical Jaguar style, the centre console and dash surrounds featured extensive burr walnut with the instrument gauges deeply set into the wood. By today's standards, the interior is dated, but back in 1997, it was "grand tourer" luxurious. There were 17in wheels as standard on the XK8 "base" model and 18in on the XKR, however, wheels up to 20in inches could be added.
Engines were modified in 2003 during a mid-life facelift.
Engines were modified in 2003, in its mid-life facelift, with an upgrade in power to 224kW and 296kW in the enlarged 4.2-litre, V8 natural and supercharged versions, now also gaining six-speed automatics.
The facelift also added clear headlight lenses, new colours and different wheels. In late 2004, a final facelift added slightly designed bumpers before the XK8 faded out to its second incarnation in 2006 until 2014, before it turned into the current F-Type.
A total of 90,064 XK's were built with 66,000 XK8s produced and 24,000 were XKR. Two-thirds were the convertible versions, which is a fascinating fact considering many would say the coupe is the better looking of the two.
There are seven examples on TradeMe being offered for sale, so if this article makes you like the XK8 it's possible to get into a mint one for under $20,000, although it will be an import.
