Jaguar XK

The Jaguar XK series (XK8 and XKR) is a grand tourer produced by British car maker Jaguar since 1996. The car was introduced in Geneva Motor Show on 5 March 1996. It is the replacement of the XJS, and is available as a coupé and convertible. Currently in its second generation, the XK8 was the first 8 cylinder vehicle produced by Jaguar, when the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine was introduced.

The 1997 XK8 (project code X100) was available in coupé or convertible body styles and with either a supercharged or naturally aspirated 290 horsepower (220 kW) 4.0 litre AJ26 engine. From 2003 the engines were replaced by the 4.2 litre AJ34 engines in both the normally aspirated and supercharged versions. The supercharged variant is known as the XKR. The first-generation XK series shares its platform with the Aston Martin DB7. Both cars are derived from the Jaguar XJS, though the platform has been extensively changed. One of the revisions is the use of the second generation of Jaguar's IRS unit, taken from the XJ40. The car's aerodynamic design gives it a drag co-efficient of 0.35 for the XK8 coupe and 0.36 for the XK8 convertible. Both the XK8 and XKR are electronically limited to a maximum of 155 miles per hour (249 km/h), approximately the top speed of its predecessor, the XJS V12. The XK8 heralded a change in direction for the company, resulting in the S-Type and X-Type. Both the XK8 and XKR come standard with 18-inch (460 mm) alloy wheels, and 19 and 20-inch (510 mm) wheels are available for additional cost. A navigation system and self-leveling xenon headlamps come standard with the XKR and as options for the XK8. Jaguar's Adaptive Cruise Control is an optional feature available on both models. Both come with all-leather interior, burl walnut trim, and side airbags. Jeremy Clarkson, during a Top Gear (a UK motoring magazine/TV show) test-drive, likened the interior of the original XK8 to sitting inside Blenheim Palace. In 2004 the grille design of the XKR was refreshed.