1999 Jaguar XK8

In 1997, Jaguar introduced the XK8 saloon as part of the revised 'X300' range when the new AJ8 V8 engine, which had been introduced in the XK8 sport car, replaced the existing six-cylinder and V12 power units. This state-of-the-art, quad-cam, 32-valve engine was built in two different capacities and was used to power three new Jaguars, including the XJ8 4.0, XJ8 3.2, and XJ8 3.2 Sport. The X300 platform had been introduced in 1994 on the old XJ6/XJ12 line-up. With the new engine, Jaguar stiffened and revised the front suspension but stylistically remained much as before. At the same time, a five-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

The Geoff Lason-penned XK8 followed in the legacy of such automatic icons as the XK120 and the immortal E-Type.

The 1999 Jaguar XK8 was available as a coupe or convertible and powered by a dual overhead cam, 32-valve, eight-cylinder engine with aluminum block and head. The 243 CID engine had electronic sequential port fuel injection and produced 290 horsepower. A five-speed automatic was standard, as were disc brakes at all four corners.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015