Jaguar XK (second generation)
Ian Callum's first Jaguar, light and all aluminium.
The story
The new XK swapped the old car's steel body for bonded and riveted aluminium, and its soft curves for a tauter, more muscular shape. It marked the start of Jaguar's move away from retro styling.
Inside
A modern cabin with a touchscreen and the choice of aluminium or wood trim.
In period colours
Tap a colour to respray the drawing.
The bonnet springs up a few inches in a collision with a pedestrian, to cushion the blow.
Meanwhile, in 2006
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond survived a jet-car crash at nearly 290 mph.
Best-selling single of 2006: Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Before you buy a 2000s car
- Check the service history, especially for timing belts, clutches and cambelts where fitted.
- Electronics, air conditioning and suspension repairs can be expensive.
- Many parts are still made, but some low-volume models rely on specialists.
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.