Jaguar XK

The Jaguar XK is a two-door 2+2 grand tourer manufactured and marketed by British automobile manufacturer Jaguar Cars from 1996–2014 in coupé and convertible bodystyles, across two generations. The XK was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1996 and was discontinued in July 2014.

This article is about the Jaguar XK grand tourer series produced from 1996–2014. For the Jaguar XK120, see Jaguar XK120. For the Jaguar XK140, see Jaguar XK140. For the Jaguar XK150, see Jaguar XK150.
For the straight-six engine, see Jaguar XK engine.

Jaguar XK
Jaguar XKR (X150)
Overview
ManufacturerJaguar Cars
Also calledJaguar XKR/XK8
Production1996–2014
Model years1997–2015
AssemblyCastle Bromwich Assembly, Birmingham, England
Designer
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Platform
Powertrain
Engine4.0–5.0 L Jaguar AJ V8 (supercharged for the XKR related models only)
Transmission
Chronology
PredecessorJaguar XJS
SuccessorJaguar F-Type

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 aluminium monocoque 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.

XK8/XKR (1996–2006)
Main article: Jaguar XK (X100)
XK8 Coupé

The XK8 was launched in 1996 to replace the XJS designed by then Jaguar design director Geoff Lawson. It was available in two body styles - a three-door hatchback 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-litre.[1]

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-litre. 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.[2]

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.[3][4]

The XK range received a mechanical update in 2002 with the engines in both the XK8 and XKR models being enlarged to 4.2-litres and gaining more power, the front headlamps were also updated by the addition of a clear lens. Further changes included new exterior colours 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.[5]

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.

XK/XKR (2007–2014)
Main article: Jaguar XK (X150)
XKR (X150) Coupé

The second generation of the XK debuted in 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, styled by Jaguar's chief designer Ian Callum.[6] The X150's grille was designed to recall the 1961 E-Type. The XK is an evolution of the Advanced Lightweight Coupé (ALC) introduced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The XK features a bonded and riveted aluminium chassis shared with the XJ and body panels, both a first for a Jaguar grand tourer.[7][8] Compared to the XK (X100), the XK (X150) is 61.0 mm (2.4 in) wider and is 162.6 mm (6.4 in) longer. It is also 91 kg (200 lb) lighter resulting in performance and fuel consumption improvements. Unlike the X100, the X150 has no wood trim on the interior offered as standard equipment. The interior featured steering column mounted shift paddles. A more powerful XKR version having a supercharged variant of the engine was introduced in 2007.[9]

The standard XK model has a limited top speed of 254 km/h (158 mph) while the high performance XKR has the limited top speed increased to 280 km/h (174 mph).

Jaguar XKR (post 2011 facelift)

The XK received a facelift in 2009,[10] with minor alterations to front and rear lights and bumper designs, together with the introduction of a new 5.0-litre V8 for both the naturally aspirated XK and the supercharged XKR. The interior also received some changes, in particular the introduction of the XF style rotary gear selector mated to the new ZF automatic transmission. The XK received a second and more minor facelift in 2011 with new front bumper and light design,[11] which was presented at the New York Auto Show.

A higher performance variant of the XKR, the XKR-S, was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012. The XKR-S gained an additional 40-horsepower over the XKR bringing the 0-97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration time down to 4.4 seconds and the top speed up to 300 km/h (186 mph). A convertible version of the XKR-S was introduced in 2012.[12]

Production of the XK ended in July 2014 without a replacement model. Most of the tooling is now used on the XK-based F-Type and the two models were produced concurrently on the same line from 2012–2014. However, the F-Type is not a successor to the XK.

References

Notes
  1. "Wilson on a 1997 Jaguar XK8". Mirror. Daily Mirror. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  2. Huffman, John Pearley (1 January 2000). "Jaguar XKR". Car and Driver. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  3. Winter Communicafftion Design (8 November 2010). "XK8 und XKR (X100) - Entwicklungsgeschichte". XKJaguar. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  4. "The Auto Channel-JAGUAR REDESIGNS ITSELF AS IT DESIGNS THE XK8". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  5. Evans, Claire (11 January 2006). "Jaguar XK8 (1996 - 2006) used car review". www.rac.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  6. Clout, Laura (21 April 2008). "Jaguar boss has designs on Ford model". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  7. Pollard, Tim (11 March 2009). "Jaguar XK 5.0 Coupe (2010)". Car. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  8. "2005 Jaguar ALC Advanced Lightweight Coupé". Jaguar Heritage Centre Trust. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  9. Hutton, Ray; Valente, Mike (1 October 2005). "2007 Jaguar XK8". Car and Driver. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  10. Pollard, Tim (11 March 2009). "Jaguar XK 5.0 Coupe (2010)". Car. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  11. "Car Magazine 20 April 2011". Carmagazine.co.uk. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  12. "Jaguar XKR-S Convertible review". Evo. Retrieved 30 April 2019.

Bibliography
  • Bedard, Patrick. "Preview: 2007 Jaguar XK". Car and Driver (March 2006): 58–59.
  • Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 84–87. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.

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