Jaguar XK
Jaguar XK | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Jaguar Cars |
Also called | XK8, XK, XKR |
Production | 1996–2014 |
Model years | 1997–2015 |
Assembly | Castle Bromwich Assembly, Birmingham, United Kingdom |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Grand tourer (S) |
Body style | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
Layout | FR layout |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Jaguar XJS |
Successor | Jaguar F-Type |
The Jaguar XK (XK, XK8 and XKR) is a two-door grand touring 2+2 manufactured and marketed by 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 last manufactured 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 Jaguar AJ-V8 engine. The second generation XK, noted for its aluminium monocoque bodyshell, was launched in 2006 for model year 2007. Both generations were marketed in performance variants, as the XKR.
XK8/XKR (1996–2006)
The XK8 was launched in 1996 to replace the XJ-S. Two body styles were produced - a coupé and a convertible. The car was the first in the Jaguar line-up to use Jaguar's newly developed V8 engine - the AJ-V8.[1] In 2000, the supercharged XKR was added to the range. The XKR featured 370 supercharged horsepower, a subtle rear spoiler, wire mesh front grille, and red exterior emblems. The XKR's motor was made in England, the ignition system was from NGK in Japan, the transmission was a Mercedes-Benz 722.6, the lighting system was by Valeo in France, and the supercharger was made by Eaton in the USA. So it was truly a world car. The 2000-2002 XKR's had the 4.0 engine which featured a plastic timing chain tensioner and plastic finned water pump. Replacement of these plastic items with metal ones is a prudent investment. The 2000 XKR received positive reviews from magazines including Road & Track, Car & Driver, and Automobile.
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.[2][3]
In 2003 the XKR got many upgrades including horse power from 370- to - 390. In 2007 the XKR got a bit of a facelift which moved away a from what the prior generation (2000-2006) was trying to accomplish with their retro "E" type '60's Jags appearrance. Therefore the 2003-2006 XKR's are becoming quite collectible by enthusiasts.
XK/XKR (2007–2014)
The redesigned XK debuted in 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, styled by Jaguar's chief designer Ian Callum.[4] The X150's grille was also inspired from the famous 1961 Jaguar E-Type.[5]
The standard XK model has a limited top speed of 158 mph (254 km/h) while the XKR a limited top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h). An even faster variant, the XKR-S model was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012. The XKR-S gained an additional 40-horsepower over the XKR bringing the 0-60 mph time down to only 4.4 seconds and the top speed up to 300 km/h (186 mph) - making it the fastest Jaguar yet after the Jaguar XJ220. A convertible version of the XKR-S was released in 2012.[6]
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.
References
Notes
- ^ "Wilson on a 1997 Jaguar XK8". Mirror. Daily Mirror. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ Winter Communicafftion Design (8 November 2010). "XK8 und XKR (X100) - Entwicklungsgeschichte". XKJaguar. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
- ^ "The Auto Channel-JAGUAR REDESIGNS ITSELF AS IT DESIGNS THE XK8". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
- ^ Clout, Laura (21 April 2008). "Jaguar boss has designs on Ford model". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ Pollard, Tim (11 March 2009). "Jaguar XK 5.0 Coupe (2010)". Car. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ jaguar.com http://www.jaguar.com/ca/en/xk/models_and_pricing/models/xkr-s/specs1.
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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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