The XK8 arrived none too soon for Jaguar because the legend was getting moldy. The 1974 XK-E roadster was Jaguar's last real sports car--not counting the ill-starred XJ220 supercar. The subsequent XJ-S packed the prestige of a V12 engine, but left a lot to be desired in terms of agility and balance, comfort and convenience.The XK8 is not an XK-E. It lacks a manual transmission, for one thing. Though the XK8's five-speed automatic is one of the best, manual shifting is a key element in the sports car experience.
For another, the XK8 is thoroughly civilized and elegant, inside and out. As beautiful as it was, the XK-E was primitive compared to its sumptuous descendant.
Jaguar used the XJ-S to lay the foundation for the XK8, but the chassis has been stiffened and tweaked almost beyond recognition. The V8 engine is all-new and drives the rear wheels through the five-speed automatic. Next Page