Growing in classic status but with very modern driving manners, the first generation XK8 gives you the best of both worlds but increasingly it pays to look after them
WHEN IN 1996 Jaguar unveiled its first all-new sports car since the XJ-S, it wasn’t exactly a shock: the combination of a sleek new body hinting at the E-Type combined with the new Ford-financed V8 engine was pretty much what the world was expecting fromwhat the world was expecting from what the press had already named ‘F-Type’.
It’s only as the years have rolled by that the significance of the ‘X100’ generation has become more obvious and from our viewpoint today we can see that the car drop-kicked Jaguar into a new era, one where no excuses need to be made.
Drive a well-maintained early XK8 today and you’ll see what I mean: whereas ’70sand ’80s Jaguars trailing a cloud of oily smoke were often rotten from scuttle to sills by their 10th birthday, many early X100s still go down the road rattle-free, the V8’s 290 horses still present and correct You can thank Ford’s financial muscle for that of course, which enabled Jaguar’sproduction processes and component quality to be dramatically improved to the point where an XK8 of any vintage makes a fine modern classic to use and enjoy. No, it’s not all perfect and the spectre of rot is still a consideration but the legions of Jaguar specialists out there know all the tricks to getting these cars up together and keeping them that way. They’re also surprisingly DIY-friendly, meaning hands-on owners can enjoy tinkering at home. But... and there’s always a but with old Jaguars... a neglected, tatty example can be a real disappointment and quickly soak up the cost difference in buying a better one in the first place. Here’s what you need to know.
HISTORY
At launch, the range was simple: the XK8 came in any flavour you liked so long as it was a 290 bhp 4-litre V8, in either coupe or convertible form, the supercharged XKR being added in 1998. The cars were facelifted in 2000 for the 2001 model year, receiving new ‘jewel’ style tail lights with chrome surrounds, restyled rear bumper and faired-in front fog lamps, together with a chrome plinth with external release for the boot handle, and 18-inch wheels.
The supercharged XKR also received larger tailpipe finishers, while inside the seats were restyled and given electric adjustment, seat-mounted side airbags were added and the advanced ‘ARTS’ airbag deployment system was added to avoid firing the airbags unnecessarily. The supercharged engine was also upgraded with a new engine management system reducing CO emissions by 12 per cent and incorporating an engine oil temperature sensor, plus a drive-by-wire electronic throttle and exhaust gas recirculation. A 320-watt Alpine sound system was also on the options list, while the standardfit immob
