Jaguar XK8 CONVERTIBLE
The
Jaguar XK8 is sleek, elegant and highly desirable. It's certainly a car which turns heads, as Vanessa discovered
Being a frank and open person, there is no way that I could even pretend that the Jaguar XK8 convertible would be an ideal runaround for me - a totally impractical choice. While this 2+2 could accommodate the kids (up to a point), it's hardly your typical second car for the family, more's the pity. But it's a beautiful car with an inbuilt 'feel good' factor that would certainly help me overcome any feelings of guilt. And children will love the push button, folding roof. If you have only yourself to consider, it wouldn't take long behind the wheel to decide that you wanted this car...
You certainly don't invest in a Jaguar XK8 if practicality is at the top of your priority list. That said, the car is extremely comfortable for front
seat passengers and the driving position is pure Jaguar, excellence evident in every curve. The interior is snug but not claustrophobic, even with the roof closed. There are niches for oddments inside the cabin, a relatively spacious boot for your weekend luggage, or two sets of golf clubs (minus trolley) but no, this is not a car for half-term holidays by the sea.
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The XK8 has been designed, ultimately, for sheer performance and pleasure behind the wheel and in this respect, in my view, it lacks nothing.
The development of the XK8 virtually coincides with the date
Ford took over control of the
Jaguar in 1990. For the first time in years, the engineering team had the backing to take on the German competition technologically - and how they've used it. This sporty convertible features only the fourth all-new engine in Jaguar's entire history, the first for thirteen years. The 32-valve 300bhp 4.2-litre V8 engine speaks for itself on the open road, as smooth and sleek as the car itself. It has been well matched to an equally smooth five-speed automatic gearbox.
Set it in 'Sport' mode, foot to the floor if you dare, and rest to sixty takes just six and a half seconds. Without an electronic limiter the big Jaguar would doubtless run higher than its artificially mandated 155mph maximum. But the statistics don't matter. What I enjoyed was the taut handling on country roads, tireless performance on the motorway and ease of handling in all situations.
Two bodystyles are offered - a Coupe, priced at £48,700 and my Convertible test car, costing £55,350. If you need more power you could always opt for the supercharged XKR variants, but frankly they miss the point which for me is to cruise with the roof down or the stereo up high. And the prices? Well, they might seem steep in themselves, but look at the competition. You can save anything between £10,000 and £25,000 if you opt for the Jaguar over an equivalent German sportscar, depending on the model you were considering.
And that's despite the fact that XK8s come better equipped. Leather upholstery, automatic climate control, electric memory seats, a trip computer, alloy wheels and a superb stereo system are all standard and the price also includes a choice of two contrasting interior trim packages.
I think I'm brave enough to risk the glances of envy which the Jaguar XK8 will inevitably elicit.
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