2001JaguarXK-SeriesJaguar XK-Series2001 Jaguar XK8 ConvertibleCoupeConvertibleRWDEnglandFor 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.Attractive shape, powerful V8 engine.Cramped interior dimensions, small trunk.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. BMW MMercedes-Benz SL-ClassPorsche 911Volvo C70450,000450,000450,0006UnlimitedNANANA84 litersV8290 hp @ 6100 rpm290 ft-lbs. @ 4250 rpm187.4 in.72 in.51 in.3962 lbs.101.9 in.37 in.33.2 in.55.2 in.42.3 in.NANA43 in.23.1 in.10.8 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested19.9 gal.17 mpg / 24 mpg338 mi. / 478 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$66,739$74,1557.35%$595N/A2.2% of the Base InvoiceCOUPE (5A): 4L V8 DOHC SMPI with variable valve timing 32-valve engine, (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up converter; battery with rundown protection; engine oil cooler; 102-amp alternator; driver's selectable multi-mode transmission; rear-wheel drive, viscous limited-slip differential, traction control, 3.06 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; sport-ride suspension, electronic stability, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-wheel antilock braking system; 19.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully automatic headlamps with washer anddelay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 17" x 8" silver alloy wheels with P245/50ZR17 BSW performance tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter; premium AM/FM stereo w/seek-scan feature, cassette player, trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer, 6 speakers, power retractable antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless-entry, power remote hatch/trunk release, power remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, garage door opener, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, clock, exterior temp, trip computer, trip odometer, park distance control; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lowcoolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows with driver's and front passenger's 1-touch down feature; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, rain-detecting wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 4, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver's and front passenger's heated seat cushions, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way power seat, power 2-way lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 4-way power seat, power 2-way lumbar support; rear bench seat with fixed headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, genuine-wood dashboard insert, wood gearshift knob, genuine-wood door panel insert,genuine-wood console insert, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes 2 settings for exterior mirrors and steering wheel; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather/genuine-wood steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console locking glove box with light, front cupholder, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo net, cargo light; grille with chrome bar, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.
CONVERTIBLE (5A) (in addition to or instead of COUPE (5A) equipment): Power convertible roof with lining, glass rear window; power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function.