Words: John-Joe Vollans
Photography: Jaguar & Newspressuk.com
Is the original Jaguar XKR the perfect modern classic? It has all the right ingredients…
For those thinking lightning can’t strike twice, especially when it comes to automotive hits, might we refer you to the Jaguar XK8…
As spiritual as successors go, the original XK8 (X100) generation from 1996 to 2005 captured the motoring public and enthusiast attention alike. In fact, it gained admirers at a similar rate to a certain other famous former XK… The XKE – or E-type as it was known on our shores – was rightly heralded as an almost ideal sports car. It did almost everything right, at the perfect moment in time. Sixties Britain was rife with cool and influential culture from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin and from the Mini Cooper to Lotus Elan, the sexy new Jaguar that arrived in 1961, merely put a cherry on top of a cool Britannia cake.
Fast forward three decades and pop culture in Britain was ripe for a 1960s revival. The aforementioned Mini revamp was on the cards – thanks to BMW – and a near deafening clamour could be heard for a new Jaguar sports car. Much more akin to a late E-type, the ancient (by the mid-1990s) XJS was far more GT than sports car, with many a press-on motorist bemoaning its lack of nimbleness. Not that the XJS didn’t sell, it certainly did, but shifting the balance back in a more sporting direction was what many were asking for and Jaguar, to its credit, was listening.

It hadn’t been for lack of trying though, as far back as the mid-1980s plans had been laid for a reinterpretation of the E-type. The familiar British makers’ tale of financial uncertainty frequently put paid to what would become the XK8, but by the early 1990s – with Ford firmly in charge – things got serious. Costs were nevertheless still carefully managed, which lead to engineering and packaging decisions like developing the XK8 on a modified XJS floorpan and utilising the rear suspension from the X300 XJ; not that there was anything fundamentally wrong with either of those choices.
In 1996, the collective held breath of sporting Jaguar fans worldwide was left out in a sigh of relief as the covers were pulled from the first XK8 at the Geneva Motor Show (incidentally the same venue as the E-type’s famous first outing). Two years later, an even more exciting model was made manifest with the arrival of the XKR. Strapping a 1.8-litre Eaton rotor-type supercharger – allegedly shared with the Ford SVT Lightning pickup – granted the already excellent all-new Jaguar aluminium V8 with a smidge under 400bhp (a figure it reached proper in the later 4.2-litre XKR).

Surely one of the best ageing modern classics out there, the XK8/R’s lines – penned by a team lead by Geoff Lawson – seem to remain just as ‘right’ now as they were nearly three decades ago. In addition to its gorgeous looks, the XKR in particular – although still present in the ‘lesser’ XK8 – grants near gratuitous levels of performance, neat adaptive damping and sumptuous levels of comfort in a package that would have seemed all-but impossible (or utterly unaffordable) during the E-type era.
The good news keeps coming when you get stuck in behind the wheel. While handling is good rather than excellent in the XK8 – corners dispensed with in a stately GT fashion – things are much sharper in the XKR, thanks to its clever adaptive damping and enhanced further with a few factory and aftermarket options. Whichever version, however, there’s no disguising this large two-door’s weight (nearly 1700kg/3737lbs), it’s a GT first and foremost and sports coupe second. If you’re after a nimble B-road brawler, there are better options out there, but few will digest an A-road as briskly, or leave you as fresh at the end of a long stint quite like the original Jaguar XKR.

If you’re more likely to cruise the coast than clip an apex, or simply want to indulge in the audio magnificence of that V8 engine (we get it), there’s also an ever so easy on the eye convertible version.
As the newest of these Jaguars are now over 20 years old, time has revealed a few issues, though these really don’t appear to be the ownership minefield of some older Coventry products. Corrosion is common to anything old and made from steel but pay particular attention to the sills, floorpans, front chassis legs and wheelarches. Timing chain tensioners on early cars are a known failure point, though many have been upgraded now. The same is also true of the engine’s Nikasil liners, incidentally nowhere near as much of an issue as with contemporary BMWs. Other than a few more trifling servicing things like sealed for life auto ‘boxes that are anything but, and expensive to replace tired CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension) dampers, these have proven to be largely reliable machines – just one more reason to buy.

If you’re still to be sold on the X100 series, fear not, the best is yet to come… This millennial modern classic is almost criminally undervalued. You can (and should) bag an early 4.0-litre XKR Coupe for well under £10k, with change left over for a spare set of premium tyres and a long weekend where the way ahead is winding.
Something of a victim of its own success, with 91,406 made, there’s certainly no shortage of XK8s/XKRs to choose from. As ever with old cars, these figures are dwindling, making great surviving examples only likely to appreciate further. That means now’s definitely the time to own one of these Jaguar success stories, before you’re either priced out or the rest of the market wakes up. Shh, we won’t tell them if you don’t… Oh wait, whoops, we already have. Better be quick.
Do you consider the Jaguar XKR a masterpiece or does another model deserve the title? Drop your suggestions below.
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We’ve got an XK8 in a Carcoon.
I really ought to get it out more.
I purchased a 2000 xk8 convertible 2009. Arizona car in immaculate condition. At the time it had 18,000 miles on it. I still own the car in 2025. I’ve only had to service the car with brakes, oil changes, tires. This car looks and drives like new. I drive it only on sunny warm days and I still get excited to drive it .
It just turned 49000 miles and looks like it just came off the factory floor. Bright silver, beige leather and black top. Love it.
Without doubt a modern classic and I aim to source and use frequently.
There is no doubt, these cars are looking better and better as they age, I have a 2003 XKR coup, every time I get it out it makes me smile
Having owned 2 XK’s and 3 XKR’s who needs anything more, they have all been sheer perfection easy to drive quickly as well as a well crafted beauty. It is undoubtably a Super Car without all the hype and stupid costs.
I bought a ’99 XK8 4 litre convertible for my wife as a second car to occasionally join me in my old 1985 XJSC V12, owned since new. I cannot believe the value in these wonderful old Jaguars, and what a joy to drive and enjoy. Since the late sixties when i was lucky to own an earlyXKE, I have enjoyed the fabulous range of cars produced by Jaguar, finishing before retirement with several wonderful XKR’s. So very sad this is the end of the line, but may we all continue to love this classic car
I bought my 2001 XKR Silverstone 2 years ago with 115k miles on it, 118k on it now. It needed some deferred maintenance such as Brembo brakes refreshed, timing chain and tenshioners, tires, and after a thousand miles the rear differential needed to be replaced with the used one. Bought it for $7k and now have $15k into it including purchase price. It is a very fun and fast drive!
I have an XK8 4.2 coupe and it’s been totally reliable and makes me smile every time I look at it and every time I drive it. Utterly underated and way better looking than the equivalent German cars.
Best kept secret until now. My Wife and I have 3 Xkr s. Brilliant choice.
I have a 1998 X100 convertible in Antigua blue. Restored and upgraded it is a joy to behold.
Quite rare on today’s roads but that’s a bonus!
I have just got myself a XKR 4.2. 2003
In black one owner from New 73K on the clock, fantastic condition in Garage all its life couldn’t be happier
I have just bought my first XK after 25 years of coveting one when they launched the XK8. Certainly couldn’t afford a new one but time has been kind to me and the cost of one now is astonishingly low so I bought an XKR. I have owned six other newer Jags in the intervening years and been pleased with the performance/luxury of each of them. When someone asks me how the new car is I feel I am beginning to run out of superlatives. Passengers have been mind blown at how good a 23 year car can be. Mine is a 4 litre 2002 silver XKR which seems to be perfect other than a couple of wee teething problems which were solved early on. I am now in the process of educating my grandchildren to what a real luxury performance car was back in the day and so far they are loving it. Maybe I will have to steer them into buying one each!
I have 2 2001 XKR silver stones 1 convertible 39000 miles , 1 coupe 24000 miles I am thinking of selling the coupe $ 48500 Canadian
‘A muscle car in a Savile Row’ suit has been one good description of the first XKR. My 2002 black convertible discreetly offers thunderous performance, a touch of the throttle and a howling supercharger blends with a deep bass from the exhaust. Would an e-car be a wise move…let me think..
We purchased a 2004 XKR in 2018 with 28,000 kms and have enjoyed every single moment with her. She was purchased in an area that does not see snow and as far I as can tell she never even say rain and is only driven during sunny summer days. The Jaguar is a wonderful motor car and always brings a a smile when we are out for a drive. Interesting detail, young kids always point at her and give a big smile. People always stop and want to ask about her.
An achingly gorgeous looking car that outperforms its contemporary rival the Aston Martin DB7 6 cylinder