Table of Contents
Acknowledgements 6
Introduction 7
X-100 to XK8 in under five years 9
Background to change 9
Development of a new sports car 11
1992: work begins 12
External styling 14
Enter Clay A 17
Interior design 18
1993: moving forward 22
A new car, a new engine and new transmission 23
Financial support and final approval 25
1994: X-100 is a goer 26
1995: a hectic year of testing 28
1996: the final goal in sight 29
Summary 30
The new car in detail 32
AJ-V8 contemporary comparisons with the opposition 33
Transferring the power 34
At the wheels 35
Security and safety aspects 36
Interior features 37
External attributes 39
What price success? 39
The cat is back 40
Shaping up to the competition 44
What the press and the people said 44
R-rated 50
First-hand report 50
Boom time 51
A Police XK8? 53
Into 1998 53
Enter the R 54
More press comments 58
Ongoing development and excitement 61
Special Vehicle Operations 62
The ultimate driving experience 64
1999 model year changes 65
XK6? 67
Key personnel changes 68
R-Performance 68
1999 Press reviews 70
The millennium and beyond 71
2000 model year changes 71
Competition in 2000 72
The F-type unveiled 72
Silverstone special edition 74
2001 and more updates 75
Centenary car 78
Flying the flag 78
Production figures 78
Press comparisons 79
XKR-R 80
The new generation XK 82
Falling sales 82
Six-speeder 83
2002 changes 83
Engine comparisons 84
The competition 86
Another special edition 87
The last chance Coupé and convertible 88
Interior alterations 89
Special option packs 91
Introducing carbon fibre 91
2005 V for Victory and S for Superb 91
Closing comments 95
Buying an XKS 97
Decide on your budget 97
The choice of car 98
SPECIFICS - 1996 to 2005 models 100
Body and trim 100
Interior trim 102
Electrics 103
Mechanicals 103
In conclusion 104
Owning, running and caring for your 1996-2005 XK8/XKR 105
An overview 105
Engines 106
Nikasil engine linings 107
Timing chain tensioners 108
The fuel system 110
Cooling system 111
Gearboxes 111
Front suspension 112
Rear suspension 113
Brakes 114
Regular servicing 115
Variable valve timing 123
Throttle bodies 123
Emissions 123
Electrics 124
Air-conditioning 125
Trim 125
Hood problems 126
Rear bumper mountings 127
Window trim strip corrosion 128
Spare wheels 129
Parts availability 129
Keeping your XK clean and presentable 130
The shape of things to come 131
Exterior design features 131
Interior designing 132
Engineering 133
And where from here? 133
The XK8 is dead, long live the XK 134
What car to build? 135
Computer Aided Design 138
Power train 138
In-built safety 139
Building the new car 140
First off the line 141
The new XK in detail 142
The powertrain 142
Suspension, steering & brakes 144
Exterior styling 145
Interior design 147
Safety features 149
Wheels & tyres 150
So, what's in a name? 150
Enter the Convertible 150
Public launch 154
XKR returns 155
The supercharged 4.2-Litre engine and powertrain 155
Chassis, suspension and brakes 157
Exterior and Interior trim changes 157
New XK ongoing developments 161
XK 3.5s? 161
New XK styling pack 161
XKR Portfolio 163
XKR-S 164
XK60 Special Edition 165
Enter the 5.0-litre 166
Enter the 5.0-litre 166
The new 5.0-litre AJ-V8 Gen III engines 166
Upgraded transmission 169
Active Differential Control and Dynamic Stability Control 169
Suspension 170
Exterior design 171
Interior design 171
User-friendly technology and driving aids 172
Equipment levels 173
More changes, new models and the return of a name 174
XKR 75/175 174
Arden 75 176
Startech XK 176
2011 model changes 177
Interior changes 177
XKR-S returns 180
XKR-S Special Carbon Fibre Pack 183
XKR-S Convertible 183
Fast and Black 184
The XKR Speed Pack 184
The XKR Black Pack 185
XKR Dynamic Pack 185
Artisan SE 186
Indian Special Edition XKR 187
The grand finale 188
XKR-S GT 188
Yet more special editions 191
XK66 191
XK Signature & Dynamic R 192
The Final Fifty 193
End of the line 193
Buying a New XK 195
The choice of car 195
4.2 or 5.0-litre 196
Body and trim 197
Interior trim 198
Electrics and lighting 199
Mechanicals 199
Road test 199
Owning, running and caring for your New XK 200
An overview 200
General servicing 200
Other maintenance 201
Additional maintenance and care issues 203
Modifications and miscellanea 205
Factory accessories 205
Alloy wheels 206
R-Performance (X-100) models 207
Outsiders 207
How to improve the looks of your XK 208
How to improve safety and comfort 209
How to improve performance 210
Appendices 216
International clubs 225
Monthly magazines with regular XK content 227
Brochures, handbooks, press releases and other paperwork 227
Sales, servicing, other maintenance and enhancements 227
Index 232
