XK8 exudes old-world charm
High-tech modernity is at the core of Jaguar's craftsmanship

Jaguars are all about class, style and character. Beautiful exteriors combined with carefully crafted interiors of wood and leather are a Jaguar hallmark. Many worried when Ford bailed out the troubled British carmaker, assuming the Detroit giant would impose its will and ways on the legendary marque.

Those worries have been allayed for the most part, particularly at the upper reaches of the Jaguar range. Ford brought engineering and manufacturing expertise to the marriage and has raised quality levels to unimagined heights for a British automobile. It has also made available the supercomputer time and other technical resources that enabled Jaguar to meet crash and emission standards.

The XK8 might just be the most drop-dead gorgeous shape riding on four wheels. Introduced in 1996 with a more than passing resemblance to the legendary XKE, this long hood, short deck beauty seems to become more attractive with age.

Bare body structures are assembled and painted at Jaguar's new Castle Bromwich plant. They are then transported in covered carriers 25 km down the road to the Brown's Lane facility near Coventry - the company's spiritual home and corporate headquarters - where final assembly takes place in a one million square-foot facility employing 2,400 workers who tailor-make almost every XK.

There are four models in the XK range - one each of coupe or convertible in standard or "R" trim.

All underwent extensive redesign last year with more than 900 part-number changes. The XK8 models are powered by a normally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 producing 294 horsepower. The XKR models have a supercharged 390 hp version of the same engine beneath that long bonnet. Both engines were among the upgrades last year.

Our test coupe is the price-leader at $96,000. The cabrio version goes for $106,000, while the equivalent XKRs are $108,000 and $117,000 respectively.

As you'd expect at this level, virtually every amenity and feature is standard, including Dynamic Stability Control, electric tilt and telescope steering wheel, automatic climate control and leather and burl walnut veneer trim.

Inside there is an air of craftsmanship and originality. For example, the burl walnut trim is cut by hand from one single veneer "leaf" to ensure the grain continues uninterrupted from one side of the instrument panel to the other.

Covered by layers of lacquer to ensure shine and provide protection, it is carefully bonded to an aluminum substrate to ensure it retains its shape for decades.

Supple leather, cut by hand using sharp knives instead of lasers, covers almost everything else.

Amidst the tradition lies a heart of modern technology. The rear wheels are driven through a ZF 6-speed gearbox by a silky smooth V8 engine designed, developed and produced by Jaguar using Ford money and technical assistance - but no Ford bits or pieces. Aluminum heads and block, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing - it's got all the latest trickery.

The ergonomics are dismal - nothing is where you instinctively reach for it, the big steering wheel blocks much of the instrumentation, shoulder and head room are tight and getting in and out requires gymnastic abilities if you're over 150 lb, five feet in height or 50 years of age. If you qualify on a combination of any or all of these fronts, start limbering up as you approach. Duck and squeeze through the low, small opening and into the wonderfully supportive seat and the array of wood, leather and chrome harkens back decades. Thankfully, the sound and ventilation systems are from the modern era.

Twist the uncommonly round key and the unique sounding starter twists the V8 effortlessly to life, settling into a silken idle. Select a gear, avoiding the cumbersome side of the J-gated shifter, and you will soon see where much of those dollars went. The engine and transmission have been ideally mated through modern electronics to provide seamless and powerful acceleration. The impression is not of brute power, but of integration, resulting in more than adequate performance.

This is 2004 so the XK8 also boats a full array of electronic driver aids, allowing you to caress the limits without fear of being scratched should you go too far.

There are faster cars and more technically advanced cars but none come to mind with this combination of grace and pace.

Immediate competition:
Cadillac XLR,
Chevrolet Corvette Z06,
Maserati Coupe GT,
Mercedes-Benz SL500