2003 Jaguar XK8 Convertible

Sweet. The word kept coming to mind as I was driving, testing and even just admiring the Jaguar XK8. Sweet looking, sweet handling, and sweet running. Not since the gorgeously svelte and sexy XKE (or E-Type) introduced in 1961 has Jaguar, the venerable British luxury/sports-car maker (now part of Ford Motor Company's Premium Automotive Group, which includes Aston Martin, Land Rover and Volvo), offered such a sensuously beautiful driving machine.

The 2003 XK features subtle styling improvements, bigger, bolder wheels and a more potent powertrain.

The E-Type lasted through 1975 and is a sought-after collectible today. The XK8, its long awaited and worthy successor, debuted in 1996. The E-Type was originally powered by a high-revving 265-hp DOHC straight six then, beginning in 1971, a silky 272-hp DOHC V-12. The 2003 XK8 is seriously motivated by a 4.2-liter DOHC V-8 generating 294 peak horsepower—up from the previous 4.0-liter's 280 hp. Peak torque is a hefty 303 lb.-ft.—up from last year's 277. EPA economy is a respectable 18 mpg city/26 highway.


All those eager horses, galloping through a new ZF 6-speed automatic transmission, propelled our 3,990-lb. XK8 convertible from 0-60 mph in a bit over six seconds. The slightly lighter coupe is slightly quicker, while the 390-hp supercharged XKR coupe and convertible leap to 60 mph in just over five seconds. These are quick cats.


More important to most than its raw performance is the Jaguar's luxurious level of smoothness and refinement. Tucked inside its curvaceous body is an interior of rich Connolly leather and beautiful burl walnut befitting the convertible's $75,000 base price. Price of entry for the coupe is just under $70,000.


Safety features standard on every '03 XK include anti-lock brakes with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), electronic traction control, Dynamic Stability Control, Reverse Park Control, pre-tensioning front seat belts with load limiters, dual-stage front airbags and front-seat side-impact airbags controlled by advanced occupant-sensing technology. EBA shortens braking distances when it detects an emergency stop by instantly adding enough pressure to get into anti-lock range even if the driver doesn't. Dynamic Stability Control, which can be switched off, adjusts throttle and/or braking at individual wheels to stabilize the car at the edge of control—especially useful in slippery road conditions. Reverse Park Control uses radar to warn of people, animals and objects behind you that you'd rather not run over or into.