XK8 / XKR

The XK8 was Jaguar's return to the two-door GT market and the spiritual successor to the E-Type. Styled by Geoff Lawson with unmistakable echoes of the original, it used Jaguar's new AJ-V8 engine and offered a blend of performance and luxury that was pure Jaguar. The XKR added an Eaton supercharger for 370hp, transforming the car from a refined cruiser into a genuine muscle car with a British accent.

In Australia, the XK8 and XKR are among the best-value performance GTs on the market. The early cars had some Nikasil engine bore liner issues, but later cars with the 4.2-litre engine are reliable and rewarding. The convertible is the more popular choice, but the coupe is the better-looking car and has a more rigid structure. The XKR with its supercharged V8 rumble and effortless acceleration is one of the great modern Jaguar experiences.