Jaguar XK8
The E-Type's spirit, with Jaguar's first V8.
The story
The XK8 replaced the long-running XJS with curves that deliberately recalled the E-Type. Its all-new V8 was smooth and strong. The supercharged XKR followed in 1998 with 370 bhp.
Inside
A sweeping slab of walnut carries the dials, with soft leather everywhere else. The rear seats are for small children only.
In period colours
Tap a colour to respray the drawing.
It was the fastest-selling sports car in Jaguar's history at the time.
On screen
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Film, 1999
The Shaguar returns, this time as an XK8 convertible.
Meanwhile, in 1996
England hosted Euro 96, and the Spice Girls released Wannabe.
Best-selling single of 1996: Killing Me Softly by Fugees
Before you buy a 1990s car
- On petrol engines, check the cooling system and any sign of head gasket trouble.
- Ask when the timing belt was last changed, where fitted.
- Parts for mass-market cars are widely available; specialist and low-volume models can be hard to find.
General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.
Rivals of its day
Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.
See the real thing
These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.
Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.