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Photo of a Jaguar XK

Jaguar XK

From Jaguar's first V8 to the 300 km/h XKR-S.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 38 sources

At a glance

0300600
290–550 hpPower
0150300
250–300 km/hTop speed
01,0002,000
1,595–1,853 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.126810

Engine
3.5–5.0 L V8; 3.5 L in select markets; XKR supercharged27
Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive7
Gearbox
4.0 L: ZF/Mercedes 5-speed auto; 4.2/5.0 L: ZF 6-speed auto27
Built at
X100: Browns Lane, UK; X150: Castle Bromwich, UK7
Units built
X100: more than 90,000; X150: 27,61212

The story

Built under Ford to replace the XJS, the XK8 combined an inherited floorpan with Jaguar's first V8. The X150 followed with an aluminum body and chassis plus a hood designed to cushion pedestrian impacts.134

1996: Geneva launches the XK819961998: XKR adds an Eaton supercharger19982000: Silverstone celebrates Formula 120002002: 4.2 liters and six-speed automatics20022005: X150: aluminum and a reactive hood20052009: 5.0 L V8s for the 2010 model year20092011: 5.0 L XKR-S reaches 300 km/h20112014: XKR closes the line on July 242014 Jaguar XK120: 1949–1954Jaguar XK140: 1954–1957Jaguar XK150: 1957–1960Jaguar E-Type: 1961–1974Jaguar E-TypeJaguar XJ-S / XJS (XJ27): 1975–1996XJ27Jaguar XK8 / XKR (X100): 1996–2005X100Jaguar XK / XKR (X150): 2005–2014X150 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1261920212223
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1949–1954Jaguar XK120
1954–1957Jaguar XK140
1957–1960Jaguar XK150
1961–1974Jaguar E-Type
1975–1996Jaguar XJ-S / XJS (XJ27)
1996–2005Jaguar XK8 / XKR (X100)
2005–2014Jaguar XK / XKR (X150)
1996Geneva launches the XK8
1998XKR adds an Eaton supercharger
2000Silverstone celebrates Formula 1
20024.2 liters and six-speed automatics
2005X150: aluminum and a reactive hood
20095.0 L V8s for the 2010 model year
20115.0 L XKR-S reaches 300 km/h
2014XKR closes the line on July 24
  1. 1996

    Geneva launches the XK8

    Developed under Ford to replace the XJS, the XK8 used an XJS-derived floorpan and introduced Jaguar's first V8, a 4.0 L, in coupe and convertible forms.13

  2. 1998

    XKR adds an Eaton supercharger

    The XKR's 4.0 L V8 gained an Eaton supercharger and intercooling, delivering 370 hp in coupe and convertible forms.15

  3. 2000

    Silverstone celebrates Formula 1

    Jaguar marked its Formula 1 entry with the XKR Silverstone: 20-inch BBS wheels, Brembo brakes and an SVO-tuned chassis.35

  4. 2002

    4.2 liters and six-speed automatics

    XK8 and XKR engines grew to 4.2 L, with 300 hp and 400 hp respectively; both adopted a six-speed ZF automatic.67

  5. 2005

    X150: aluminum and a reactive hood

    Unveiled at Frankfurt, the X150 used an aluminum body and chassis and a hood designed to cushion pedestrian impacts.4

  6. 2009

    5.0 L V8s for the 2010 model year

    The XK gained a 385 hp naturally aspirated V8; the XKR jumped to 510 hp with supercharging. A rotary gear selector joined the update.28

  7. 2011

    5.0 L XKR-S reaches 300 km/h

    The production XKR-S debuted at Geneva with 542 hp and 680 Nm, combining a supercharged 5.0 L V8 with a 300 km/h ceiling.2

  8. 2014

    XKR closes the line on July 24

    US-market 2015 Final Fifty models marked the farewell with 25 XKR coupes and 25 convertibles.59

Every generation

  • Jaguar XK120
    Jaguar XK1201949–1954
  • Jaguar XK140
    Jaguar XK1401954–1957
  • Jaguar XK150
    Jaguar XK1501957–1960
  • Jaguar E-Type
    Jaguar E-Type1961–1974
  • Jaguar XJ-S / XJS
    XJ271975–1996
  • Jaguar XK8 / XKR
    X1001996–2005
  • Jaguar XK / XKR
    X1502005–2014

Power over the years

From 290 hp to 550 hp in 18 years.

0200400600 19952000200520102015 hp 1996 · 290 hp · XK8 4.01998 · 370 hp · XKR 4.02002 · 300 hp · XK8 4.22002 · 400 hp · XKR 4.22006 · 300 hp · X150 XK 4.22007 · 410 hp · XKR 4.22010 · 385 hp · XK 5.02010 · 510 hp · XKR 5.02010 · 523 hp · XKR 752011 · 542 hp · XKR-S 5.02014 · 550 hp · North American XKR-S GT 550 hp North American XKR-S GT 290 hp XK8 4.0
2567810
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1996290XK8 4.0
1998370XKR 4.0
2002300XK8 4.2
2002400XKR 4.2
2006300X150 XK 4.2
2007410XKR 4.2
2010385XK 5.0
2010510XKR 5.0
2010523XKR 75
2011542XKR-S 5.0
2014550North American XKR-S GT

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    XK8 (X100)

    1996–2006

  • Standard

    XK (X150)

    2006–2015 model years

  • XKR

    Performance

    XKR

    1998–2014

  • XKR-S 5.0

    Performance

    XKR-S 5.0

    From 2011

    542 hp
  • XK/XKR 4.2-S

    Special

    XK/XKR 4.2-S

    2005–2006

  • Limited

    XKR Silverstone

    2000

    370 hp

    558 built

  • Limited

    XKR 100

    2002

    370 hp

    500 built

  • XKR-S 4.2

    Limited

    XKR-S 4.2

    2009 model year

    414 hp

    200 built

  • XKR 75

    Limited

    XKR 75

    2010

    523 hp

    75 built

  • Limited

    XK Final Fifty

    2015 model year

    510 hp

    50 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • XK8: long hood, compact cabin and smoothly rounded rear quarters.5
  • X150: sharp body creases and visible gills in the front fenders.1617
  • X150: E-Type-inspired grille with the badge mounted inside it.2
  • X100 XKR: hood louvers, mesh grille and a small rear spoiler.67
  • X150 XKR: four exhaust tips, hood louvers and R badges.2

Year by year

  1. 2002 (X100)

    Clear headlight lenses, revised badges and new wheel choices accompany the 4.2-liter update.6

  2. 2004 (X100)

    Larger sill covers and a reshaped grille join bigger front and rear spoilers.36

  3. 2005–2006 (X100)

    4.2-S run-outs add darkened taillights and checkered-flag badges; XKR versions wear 20-inch BBS Perseus wheels.5

  4. 2012 model year

    The second facelift adds a new front bumper and headlight design; it was announced in 2011.27

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Jaguar XK
    XK
    Photo of a Aston Martin DB7
    Aston Martin DB7

    Aston Martin DB7

    Check the XKR 4.2-S's white Jaguar hood badge; original-shape XKRs also have hood louvers and a small rear spoiler.618

Against its rivals

  • Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

    XK vs Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

    Power

    XK503 hp
    Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet380 hp
    24
  • Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

    XK vs Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

    Power

    XK503 hp
    Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster420 hp
    24
  • BMW M6

    XK vs BMW M6

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    XK4 s
    BMW M64.1 s
    8

Prices

Value today $7.5K–$23.0K3031

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $7,500–$23,002 1997 · $69,900 · US base, XK8 convertible1997 · $74,310 · US tested, XK8 convertible2010 · $96,000 · US base, XKR coupe2010 · $102,000 · US tested, XKR coupe2015 · $107,500 · US base, Final Fifty coupe2015 · $113,500 · US base, Final Fifty convertible 1997 · $69,900 · US XK8 convertible base, 1997 model year 2023 · $27,250 · 2015 XK coupe, BaT2025 · $177,500 · 2014 XKR-S GT, 6,800 miles, BaT2025 · $5,700 · 1997 XK8 convertible, 78k miles, BaT2025 · $63,000 · 2012 XKR-S coupe, 16k miles, BaT2025 · $9,001 · 2002 XKR convertible, 60k miles, BaT2025 · $55,500 · 2015 XKR Final Fifty convertible, 23k miles, BaT2026 · $7,500 · 1997 XK8 coupe, 116k miles, BaT2026 · $23,002 · 2015 XK coupe, 29k miles, BaT2026 · $10,000 · 2007 XK coupe, 57k miles, BaT2026 · $18,000 · 2006 XKR Victory Edition coupe, 84k miles, BaT $177.5K BaT, 2025
8910293031333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1997Launch price$69,900US XK8 convertible base, 1997 model year
1997Price when new$69,900US base, XK8 convertible
1997Price when new$74,310US tested, XK8 convertible
2010Price when new$96,000US base, XKR coupe
2010Price when new$102,000US tested, XKR coupe
2015Price when new$107,500US base, Final Fifty coupe
2015Price when new$113,500US base, Final Fifty convertible
2023Auction sale$27,2502015 XK coupe, BaT
2025Auction sale$177,5002014 XKR-S GT, 6,800 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$5,7001997 XK8 convertible, 78k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$63,0002012 XKR-S coupe, 16k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$9,0012002 XKR convertible, 60k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$55,5002015 XKR Final Fifty convertible, 23k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,5001997 XK8 coupe, 116k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$23,0022015 XK coupe, 29k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,0002007 XK coupe, 57k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$18,0002006 XKR Victory Edition coupe, 84k miles, BaT
2026Value today$7,500–$23,002

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “7m40s at the Nürburgring Nordschleife”
    • “A rookie secured Jaguar's fifth Trans-Am title”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  2. Jaguar XK (X150) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Jaguar XK8 & XKR (X100) buying guide, history and review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  4. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  5. XKEC Model Guide | Learn More - Drive Excellence — XKEC/F-Type EC thexkec.co.uk
  6. Jaguar XK (X100) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Jaguar XK - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. Tested: 510-hp 2010 Jaguar XKR caranddriver.com
  9. Jaguar To Offer 2015 XK Final Fifty Limited Edition To U.S. Customers | Jaguar 2024 Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  10. 7k-Mile 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $177,500 on November 10, 2025 (Lot #219,015) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  11. Jaguar XK special editions launched | evo evo.co.uk
  12. Jaguar XKR-S Convertible review | evo evo.co.uk
  13. 2001 Jaguar XKR Silverstone Edition | Driving into Summer | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  14. Jaguar XKR 75 Makes Debut At Goodwood Festival Of Speed | Jaguar Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  15. Jaguar XKR-S GT Unveiled in New York | Jaguar Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  16. The Cars of Ian Callum: Jaguar XK | Article | Car Design News cardesignnews.com
  17. 2007 Jaguar XK First Drive: Quick Reflexes In an Aluminum Wrapper caranddriver.com
  18. Jaguar XKR — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  19. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  20. Jaguar XK140 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  22. Jaguar E-Type - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Jaguar XJS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Jaguar XKR v Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet v Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster | evo evo.co.uk
  25. On This Day in Trans Am History: Aug. 27, 2005 gotransam.com
  26. JAGUAR'S RACING HEART BEATS AT LE MANS | Jaguar 2024 Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  27. Jaguar Announces Limited UK Sales Of Record-Breaking XKR-S GT | Jaguar Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  28. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  29. 1997 Jaguar XK8 - Motor Trend Magazine motortrend.com
  30. No Reserve: 1997 Jaguar XK8 Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,500 on April 23, 2026 (Lot #239,256) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 29k-Mile 2015 Jaguar XK Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,002 on September 4, 2026 (Lot #261,591) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. Jaguar XK8/XKR Buying Guide motorious.com
  33. No Reserve: 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,700 on October 28, 2025 (Lot #216,935) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 16k-Mile 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $63,000 on August 16, 2025 (Lot #205,506) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,100 on August 24, 2026 (Lot #259,397) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 2006 Jaguar XKR Coupe Victory Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,000 on June 7, 2026 (Lot #246,413) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 2002 Jaguar XKR Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,001 on June 20, 2025 (Lot #197,021) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. One-Owner 2015 Jaguar XKR Convertible Final Fifty Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $55,500 on May 8, 2025 (Lot #190,847) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • jaguarheritage.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • octane-magazine.com
  • thexkec.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • media.jlr.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • rmsothebys.com
  • cardesignnews.com
  • gotransam.com
  • motortrend.com
  • motorious.com

Photo credits

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