Production years: 1996 - 2005

Following the XJS Jaguar desperately needed something new and with Ford’s purse to assist in the job, Jaguar’s engineers did a fantastic job in creating a legendary new car.

The XK8 (coded X-100) was born out of necessity as the XJS it replaced was long past its sell by date. The first ingredient was a new engine, the AJ-V8 unit that took the majority of new investment money from the then owners of the company, Ford. The norm for new engines to appear in a lower volume sporting model before going ‘live’ for all production, the XK8 was that car.

By necessity the ‘old’ XJS floorpan had to be used along with other features, even down to the interior seat frames. However, a new aircraft style front subframe was designed and along with a new curvaceous body, the frontal aspect of which was reminiscent of the legendary E-type, the XK8 became a car of desire for many. The interior was also new with a mix of tradition and modernity and the car was available from the start as a convertible or coupe model, the former with electrically operated hood but with room in the boot for the obligatory two sets of golf clubs!

In 1998 the XK8 was joined by the XKR, the first supercharged Jaguar sports car and in 2000 the models were upgraded with new seating, revised external trim and by 2002 with the new 6-speed transmission. By 2004 the cars received a further revamp with external styling changes, a wider choice of trim and over time a whole range of special editions were produced including the Carbon Fibre, the XKR 100 (celebrating the centenary of Sir William Lyons) and many others.

The XK8 and XKR became the best selling of Jaguar sporting models up to that time and only went out of production in 2005, being the very last cars leaving the line at the spiritual home of Jaguar, the Browns Lane Factory in Coventry.

Model Summary

Model Type:

XK8 Sportscars

Production Dates:

1996 - 2005

Engine Range:

4.0 Litre

4.0 Litre supercharged

4.2 Litre

4.2 Litre supercharged

0 - 60 mph:

4.0 Litre - 6.5 seconds

4.0 Litre supercharged - 5.2 seconds

4.2 Litre - 6.1 seconds

4.2 Litre supercharged - 5.2 seconds

Top Speed:

4.0 Litre - 155 mph

4.0 Litre supercharged - 155 mph

4.2 Litre - 155 mph

4.2 Litre supercharged - 155 mph

XK8 Sportscars Technical Specifications

Technical Information

Engine Statistics

	4.0 Litre
Engine (cc)	3996
Bore and Stroke (mm)	86 x 86
Compression Ratio	10.75:1
BHP	290
@ RPM	6100
Torque (lb ft)	290
@ RPM	4250
Fuelling	Fuel-injection

	4.0 Litre supercharged
Engine (cc)	3996
Bore and Stroke (mm)	86 x 86
Compression Ratio	9:1
BHP	370
@ RPM	6150
Torque (lb ft)	387
@ RPM	3600
Fuelling	Fuel-injection

	4.2 Litre
Engine (cc)	4196
Bore and Stroke (mm)	86 x 90.3
Compression Ratio	11:1
BHP	300
@ RPM	6000
Torque (lb ft)	310
@ RPM	4100
Fuelling	Fuel-injection

	4.2 Litre supercharged
Engine (cc)	4196
Bore and Stroke (mm)	96 x 90.3
Compression Ratio	9:1
BHP	400
@ RPM	6100
Torque (lb ft)	408
@ RPM	3500
Fuelling	Fuel-injection

Engine Performance

	4.0 Litre
Top Speed	155 mph
0 - 60 mph	6.5 seconds
Fuel Consumption	23 mpg

	4.0 Litre supercharged
Top Speed	155 mph
0 - 60 mph	5.2 seconds
Fuel Consumption	23 mpg

	4.2 Litre
Top Speed	155 mph
0 - 60 mph	6.1 seconds
Fuel Consumption	24.9 mpg

	4.2 Litre supercharged
Top Speed	155 mph
0 - 60 mph	5.2 seconds
Fuel Consumption	22.9 mpg

Model Specifications

	4.0 Litre
Transmission	5-speed ZF auto
Wheel Size (in)	17 or 18
Suspension (Front)	Ind unequal-length wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear)	Ind double wishbones, driveshafts as upper links, anti-squat, coil springs, CATS optional
Brakes	4-wheel disc, all ventilated

	4.0 Litre supercharged
Transmission	5-speed MB auto
Wheel Size (in)	18 or 19
Suspension (Front)	Ind unequal-length wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear)	Ind double wishbones, driveshafts as upper links, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes	4-wheel disc, all ventilated

	4.2 Litre
Transmission	6-speed ZF auto
Wheel Size (in)	17, 18 or 19
Suspension (Front)	Ind unequal-length wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear)	Ind double wishbones, driveshafts as upper links, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes	4-wheel disc, all ventilated

	4.2 Litre supercharged
Transmission	6-speed ZF auto
Wheel Size (in)	17, 18 , 19 or 20
Suspension (Front)	Ind unequal-length wishbones, anti-drive, coil springs
Suspension (Rear)	Ind double wishbones, driveshafts as upper links, anti-squat, coil springs
Brakes	4-wheel disc, all ventilated

Model Dimensions

	4.0 Litre
Length (in)	187
Width (in)	72
Height (in)	51
Wheelbase (in)	102
Front Track (in)	57
Rear Track (in)	57
Weight (Cwt)	31.9 (33.6 convertible)

	4.0 Litre supercharged
Length (in)	187
Width (in)	72
Height (in)	51
Wheelbase (in)	102
Front Track (in)	57
Rear Track (in)	57
Weight (Cwt)	32.3 (34.1 convertible)

	4.2 Litre
Length (in)	187
Width (in)	72
Height (in)	51
Wheelbase (in)	102
Front Track (in)	57
Rear Track (in)	57
Weight (Cwt)	33.2 (34.9 convertible)

	4.2 Litre supercharged
Length (in)	187
Width (in)	72
Height (in)	51
Wheelbase (in)	102
Front Track (in)	57
Rear Track (in)	57
Weight (Cwt)	34.2 (35.7 convertible)

Optional Extras

Mud flaps
Cruise control (where not fitted as standard)
Tailored overmats
Headlight power-wash system
Premium hi-fi system with CD auto-changer in boot
Child's safety seat
Child's booster cushion
First-aid kit for boot area
Space-saver spare wheel
Full-sized spare wheel
Fire extinguisher for boot area
Jaguar warning triangle
Headlamp converters
Headlamp safety covers
Mobile telephone kits
Snow chains
Luggage net for boot area
Witter tow bar kit
Cup-holders for forward centre console area
Heated windscreen
Ultrasonic intrusion security system
Tool kit roll
Heated front seats
Jaguar 'Growler' alloy wheel centre badges, various colours
Power-folding door mirrors
Chrome door mirror surrounds (where not fitted)
Bright rear number plate surround (chrome)
Self-dipping rear-view mirror
Wood/leather steering wheel (where not fitted)
Foglamp protective covers
Wind deflector (convertible models only)
Tailored front seat covers
Boot-mounted carrier
Luggage box for boot mounting on carrier
Boot rack ski holder
Boot rack cycle/mountain bike holder
Various options for fitted luggage for the boot
Round alloy gear knob
Satellite navigation system (later cars)
Reverse park aid
Auxiliary power socket
Tracker security system
Aspheric door mirrors
Lockable boot-mounted security box
Adaptive cruise control
Xenon headlight units (where not fitted)
Heated rear screen
Rear spoiler
Air filtration system to air conditioning
Cold climate pack
Bird's eye maple veneer (2005 as alternative to walnut veneer)
Bur elm veneer (2004 as alternative to walnut veneer)
Piano black finish (2004 as alternative to walnut veneer)
Memory pack of interior trim additions
Technology pack of Adaptive cruise control. speed limiter, Alpine sound system, and navigational system
18in seven-spoke sports alloy wheels (exposed wheel nuts)
17in XJR five spoke Revolver chromed alloy wheels
18in Apollo alloy wheels (later cars)
17in XJR-style five-spoke alloy wheels
17in Lamina five-spoke alloy wheels (later cars)
18in Impeller alloy wheels (later cars)
18in seven-flute alloy wheels
17in Gemini five-spoke double flute alloy wheels (post-2002)
18in Centaur seven-spoke alloy wheels (post-2002)
18in Hydra alloy wheels (standard on XKR post-2002)
18in Aris (2004/5 model year optional choice)
19in Atlas (2004/5 model year optional choice)
R-Performance specifics
18in Milan split-rim alloy wheels
18in Winter alloy wheels
20in Paris split-rim alloy wheels
20in Detroit split-rim alloy wheels
20in Montreal nine-spoke alloy wheels (post-2002)
20in Sepang (only applicable to facelift models, post-2004)
Brembo brakes
XK handling pack (XK8 models only)