The Jaguar XK is a 2+2 grand tourer vehicle introduced by Jaguar Cars, a British luxury car manufacturer, between 1996 and 2014. The XK debuted at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show and was discontinued in July 2014. Jaguar didn't like to make many changes to the car because the manufacturer made a point of designing the vehicle to suit its needs. However, in the following sections, you will find out more about the alterations made throughout its development.
History of the Jaguar XK
First Generation Jaguar XK (XK8; 1997–2006)
(1996–2002)
After at least 21 full years on the market, the Jaguar XJS needed to be replaced. This led Jaguar to launch the XK-Series of luxury vehicles in 1996. Jaguar's former head of design, Geoff Lawson, created the XK8 as a replacement for the XJS, which was released in 1996. It came as a 2+2 seater hatchback coupé with three doors or a 2+2 seater convertible with two doors. Although the new series shared its platform with the XJ-S, it had a completely redesigned and reinforced chassis. The XK was offered in a coupe and convertible body styles, but the latter saw significantly more market success. This vehicle represented the debut of Jaguar's new 32-valve V8 engine, the AJ-V8, which displaced 4.0L and was the first of its kind in the Jaguar lineup. The then-new Jaguar XK8 only came with a brand-new 5-speed automatic gearbox with standard and sport modes; a manual transmission was not an option.
(2002–2006)
Jaguar's grand tourer, the XK8, had been on the market for six years before its complete redesign and overhaul. Jaguar's stunning XK8 received its first cosmetic update in 2002. Improving the XK8's appearance while preserving its overall appeal was difficult. Implementing this strategy was a cautious approach by swapping out the clear glass in the headlights for clear lenses and enhancing the grille marginally. Some models also came with a navigation system instead of the traditional trio of gauges that had previously occupied that dashboard area. Jaguar removed the previous air vents and replaced them with new, rounder ones. The under-the-hood changes proved to be the most substantial. Jaguar upgraded the previous 4.0L V8 engine in the Jaguar to a 4.2L unit. Oddly enough, though, the boost in strength barely registered. There was a modest increase of 5 horsepower.
Second Generation Jaguar XK (2006–2014)
(2006–2009)
The second generation of this model put practically all of its effort towards making a vehicle that could generate more horsepower and travel at higher speeds.
While precise details are often lacking, we know they manufactured three main types during this time. The final model produced before the discontinued car had a top speed of 186 mph, a 0-60 time of 4 seconds, and 40 more hp than the old engine. The second-generation Jaguar XK was designed with speed in mind. This was always going to be a performance-based endeavor. A high-performance vehicle, however, must also have outstanding handling. Jaguar's previous effort was already high-quality, so minimal adjustments were required. Nonetheless, the car's bodywork was modified substantially to give it a new style and improved performance. Changes to the car's design brought it lower to the ground and increased its interaction with the road.
(2009–2014)
Jaguar Cars made minor changes to the front, and rear lights and bumpers in 2009, and a new 5.0L V8 was introduced for the supercharged XKR and the naturally aspirated XK. Internally, there were also various revisions, most notably the installation of a rotary shifter knob in the XF style and a new ZF automatic gearbox. The XK debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show with a revised front bumper and updated lighting. The XKR-S, a more powerful version of the XKR, made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012.
Price
In 2014, Jaguar Cars retailed the Jaguar XK with a starting MSRP of $80,000 for the base Touring trim, rising to $86,000 for the convertible version.
- Touring - $80,000 ($100,084 in 2022)
- Touring Convertible - $86,000 ($107,591 in 2022)
Features of the Jaguar XK
Exterior Features
The Jaguar XK from 2014 is an updated take on the company's classic E-Type, thanks to its short back deck and long nose. Distinctive wheels with quadruple exhaust vents set the XKR apart from the standard XK; the XKR-S takes this a step further with gunmetal paint, a vented hood, a carbon fiber spoiler, and custom bodywork. The newer XK's front fascia included thinner headlights with a redesigned, bigger grille, LED running lights, and small air scoops on either side of the grille. Jaguar Cars installed LED bulbs in the updated brake lights.
Interior Features
The Jaguar XK's cabin for 2014 is especially luxurious because of the tasteful combination of contrast-stitched leather overlays with polished hardwoods used throughout. Intuitive analog knobs are paired with a slow touchscreen interface for controlling most interior operations. On the other hand, the level of comfort is superb. The front seats' 16-way adjustability allow for limitless configurations and a comfortable middle ground between softness and solid support. It could be cruel to squeeze two full-grown adults into the back seats, but you should have no trouble squeezing in a few bags or a few kids. The hatchback configuration of the coupe provides a somewhat more cargo size than the convertible, whose trunk space is already reduced by removing the top.
Specs and Performance of the Jaguar XK
A 5.0L all-aluminum V8 engine is standard on all 2014 Jaguar XK variants. This refined engine produces 385 horsepower in its standard configuration thanks to its direct fuel injection and variable camshaft timing, but its performance jumps to 510 with the XKR's turbochargers. Increasing the output to 550 horsepower is the XKR-S and XKR-S GT. The fast 6-speed ZF automatic gearbox provides quick upshifts and downshifts, which can be handled manually using paddles on the steering wheel. The transmission has a throttle-blipping mechanism to improve the vehicle's stability during downshifts. Dimension-wise, the Jaguar XK measures 4,793 mm (188.7 in) long, 1,892 mm (74.5 in) wide, and 1,320 mm (52.0 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,750 mm (108.3 in) with a curb weight that ranges from 3,516–3,693 lbs (1,595–1,675 kg).
Release Date
Jaguar Cars released the Jaguar XK from 1996 to 2014 in two distinct generations. The XK's production ended in July 2014, and there was no replacement.