Jaguar XK - 1st Gen (1997 to 2006)

The XK8 was launched for model year 1997 to replace the XJS designed by then Jaguar design director Geoff Lawson. It was available in two body styles - a three-door hatchback coupé and two-door convertible with both variations featuring 2+2 seating. The car was the first in the Jaguar line-up to use Jaguar's newly developed 32-valve V8 engine - the AJ-V8 which had a displacement of 4.0-litre. The XK8 was joined by a more powerful XKR in 1998. The XKR featured a supercharged variation of the V8 engine rated at 276 kW (375 PS; 370 hp). The XK range received a mechanical update in 2002 with the engines in both the XK8 and XKR models being enlarged to 4.2-litres and gaining more power, the front headlamps were also updated by the addition of a clear lens. The second generation was launched for model year 2007.