GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Jaguar - XK - R

Jaguar XK (X100 XK)

X100 XK

Make: Jaguar

Model: XK

Released: Jan 1970

Discontinued: Jun 2006

Jaguar logo1 Oct 1996

By CHRIS HARRIS

Jaguar’s XK coupe and convertible wasn’t so much an all-new replacement for the 1975-era XJS as a thorough evolution of it, since it – along with the beautiful 1994 Aston Martin DB7 – came off the same platform.

Yet looking at the XK would make anybody wonder otherwise – until the relatively short wheelbase and narrow body and track begin to betray the XJS origins – even if only 20 per cent of it is shared.

As a result taller folk have no hope finding room in here.

But the engines were all new. The 4.0-litre DOHC 32V AJ-V8 produced 216kW of power and 393Nm of torque, and was mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox – whether you’re talking traditional XK ‘Classic’ or racier XK ‘Sport’ trim.

Like the XJR sedan of the day, the XKR from May ’98 used a supercharger to boost power and torque – in this case the 4.0-litre’s output rose to 276kW and 525Nm.

Minor trim changes and new jewelled tail-lights summed up an upgrade in November 2000.

From October ’02 the second-generation AJ-V8, first seen in the all-new XJ sedan that debuted a month earlier in Paris, found its way in the slightly facelifted XK Series II.

The now-4.2-litre DOHC 24V V8 produced 224kW and 420Nm, driving the rear wheels via a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox, while the supercharged 4.2 version’s power and torque shot up to 298kW and 553Nm.

A further round of refinements were introduced during 2004, keeping the XK going until the X300 XJ-based aluminium XK Mk2 debuted in the last half of 2006.

Reviews

When it was new

Latest reviews

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here