By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
Jaguar, owned since 1992 by Ford Motor Company, has come out with its first all-new product since the purchase. The new XK8 Coupe and Convertible are a beautiful execution of the revitalized Jaguar. I actually prefer the looks of the coupe over the convertible; the coupe has a beautiful flowing C-pillar. Yet either way the XK8 is one of the most elegantly designed cars of our time. The quality concerns that plagued Jaguar during the late 80's are banished: only minor flaws hampered the evaluated XK8.
By minor, I mean the XK8 that I drove wasn't perfect. The only
problem found was the misaligned glovebox door. It required an
extra push, by hand, to close correctly.
Mechanically, the XK8 has a silky smooth, all new 4.0L V8. The V8 was engineered with a little help from Ford, but most of the new vehicle is Jaguar only. Ford's deep pocketbook supplied assistance. A 5-speed automatic transmission works flawlessly, shifting with barely a noticeable noise or feel. The brakes are large 4-wheel disc with an anti-lock brake system. Speed sensitive steering variably assists the driver at low or high speeds. The Jaguar also has a stability control system that, like traction control, prevents the car from going into a skid or losing traction in inclement weather.
The interior is beautiful. The real walnut dash, it's a big chunk
of a tree almost a foot wide, wraps around from door-to-door.
Traditional large round gauges with three directly in front are
large and easy to read. Even the steering wheel is made of wood
with the center area covered in leather hiding the all important
airbag. The passenger gets an airbag as well.
The interior and exterior door pulls are chrome. They also serve double duty as the lock mechanisms as well, push the interior handle in and both doors lock. While the XK8 has a back seat, no one can reasonably be expected to sit back there. While I was driving the car the back of the front seat rested on the front of the back seat; absolutely no legroom. The trunk on the other hand is accommodating and could easily carry two sets of golf clubs or several bags of luggage.
Other interior appointments include power heated front seats, trip computer, illuminated entry driver memory system and a power tilt telescoping column. All of these make for a wonderful driving experience.
The driving position is excellent. Overall the ergonomics in the cabin are well-above par with controls within easy reach. You sit low in the cockpit yet are clearly able to see all around you even with the top up. The hood, while long, slopes gradually away making the XK8 easy to park. The seats are covered in fine Connolly leather which is very soft. Driving through the English countryside with the top down is exactly where this car is at home; it is the image that the Jaguar XK8 was crafted from. Around southern Michigan, it is difficult to find many good twisting back roads but the XK8 is certainly still at home.
The convertible top is completely automatic, no release levers at all. Hold down one button and the top disappears in a matter of moments for open air driving. Leaving the top down and the windows up allows passengers to have a conversation without yelling, even at expressway speeds.
The XK8 convertible is expensive, but it is worth it. For $72,480 total price as tested, you get a lot of car for the money. Hey, for that price you even get a full size spare tire. The XK8 is a very solid car with no problems associated with convertibles. It doesn't leak wind or rain.
The new Jaguar XK8 puts to rest any doubts about Jaguar's ability to build fine luxury vehicles that meet the expectations of today's standards. The Jaguar XK8 Convertible is a Sunday touring car in the grandest of British traditions.