Jaguar XK (X100)

Jaguar XK8 Jaguar XKR
Jaguar XKR convertible
Overview
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1996–2005
Model years	1997–2006
Assembly	Browns Lane plant, Coventry, England
Designer	Fergus Pollock under Geoff Lawson[1][2] (1992)
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer (S)
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	Jaguar XJS (modified)
Related	Aston Martin DB7 Jaguar XJ (X308)
Powertrain
Engine	4.0 L AJ26/27 V8 4.0 L AJ26S supercharged V8 4.2 L AJ34 V8 4.2 L AJ34S supercharged V8
Transmission	5-speed ZF 5HP24 automatic (Naturally aspirated models) (1997–2002) 5-speed Mercedes-Benz W5A580 5G-Tronic automatic (Supercharged models only) (1998–2002) 6-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic (2002–2005)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,588 mm (101.9 in)
Length	1997–2004: 4,760.0 mm (187.4 in) 2005–2006: 4,775 mm (188.0 in)
Width	1997–2004: 1,830 mm (72.0 in) 2005–2006: 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1997–1998 Coupe and 1999–2006 XK8 Convertible: 1,295 mm (51.0 in) 1997–1998 Convertible: 1,305 mm (51.4 in) XKR Convertible: 1,288 mm (50.7 in) 1999–2006 XK8 Coupé: 1,283 mm (50.5 in) XKR Coupe: 1,278 mm (50.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Jaguar XJS
Successor	Jaguar XK (X150)

The Jaguar XK8 (project code X100) is a grand tourer launched by Jaguar Cars in 1996, and was the first generation of a new XK series. The XK8 was available in two-door coupé or two-door convertible body styles with the new 4.0-litre Jaguar AJ-V8 engine. In 1998, the XKR was introduced with a supercharged version of the engine. In 2003, the engines were replaced by the new 4.2-litre AJ34 engines in both the naturally aspirated and supercharged variations. The first-generation of the XK series shares its XJS-derived platform^[3] with the Aston Martin DB7, with both cars tracing their history back to an abandoned Jaguar development study in the mid-1980s known as XJ41/XJ42, which had been mooted to be known as the F-Type.^[4]

One of the revisions is the use of the second generation of Jaguar's independent rear suspension unit, taken from the Jaguar XJ (XJ40). Development began in 1992, with design work starting earlier in late 1991. By October 1992 a design was chosen and later frozen for production in 1993. Prototypes were built from December 1993 after the X100 was given formal approval and design patents were filed in June 1994. Development concluded in 1996, with the car being unveiled in March of that year and going on sale from October 1996.^[5][6]