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What's New: For 2001, both the XK8 Coupe and Convertible receive additional safety equipment in the form of seat-mounted side airbags and an Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS) that ultrasonically detects occupants. There are also standard child seat-anchor points for the rear seats. Besides the safety equipment, 2001 XK8s also gain a reverse parking-control system, heated seats and a premium audio system with a six-disc CD changer as standard equipment. Visually, both coupes and convertibles have restyled taillights, smoother front bumpers and optional 18-inch wheels. Topping things off is a new, no-cost scheduled maintenance program that covers four regular service visits under the four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. Type: Compact car Pros: Attractive shape, powerful V8 engine. Cons: Cramped interior dimensions, small trunk. Review Now into its fifth year, the XK8 comes in two distinctive styles: the curvaceous coupe or the sleek convertible. The convertible features a power-operated top that lowers, raises and locks into place with the push of a button, as long as the car is moving at speeds under 10 miles per hour. Stylistically, the XK8 is one of the best-looking luxury coupes available. Headlights slope off with a feline's squint and lead to lines that hark back to earlier Jaguars. The hood's subtle contours form two long, graceful indentations that, from inside, conform nicely to the driver and passenger positions. Like most coupes, legroom for the front passengers is excellent, but rear-passenger accommodations are quite minimal. The XK8's luxury materials are impressive, with Connolly leather used on the seats, center console, door panels and steering wheel. The leather is matched up with extensive use of burl walnut wood. Another nice touch is the interior chrome door handles that also have integrated power door locks. Much of the plastic is disappointing, however. It reeks of Ford's influence, and often looks like it was lifted from a Crown Victoria. The XK8's main option is a GPS navigation system. The navigation system is fussy to operate, but it is DVD-based, which means it can store considerably more point-of-interest information than a CD ROM-based system. Both coupe and convertible come with a 4.0-liter V8 engine. This is the same engine that is used in the XJ8 Sedan. It produces 290 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 290 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm. A smooth-shifting and intuitive five-speed automatic is the only transmission available. The V8 is docile during cruising, but it is also capable of producing surges of power when asked. Acceleration from zero to 60 takes about 6.5 seconds. On the road, the XK8's 17-inch wheels and tires provide impressive grip during hard cornering. This does not come at the expense of ride quality, as the Jag is very comfortable and quiet on high-speed cruises. The speed-sensitive steering is slightly overboosted, but it will nevertheless guide you through turns with precision. Automatic Stability Control (ASC) is standard. The XK8 is a fine car in either coupe or convertible form. This is about as close to a classic GT car as you can get. With the Lexus SC 400 discontinued for 2001, the Jaguar's closest competition comes from the Mercedes CLK430 or the SL500. The CLK430 is a better value, but neither Mercedes can match the Jaguar's level of class and grace. Styles & Prices at Edmunds.com | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
