Developed under the project code X-100, and launched in 1996, the Jaguar XK8 was the first of a new generation of the XK series. The new car shared its XJ-S-inspired platform with the Aston Martin DB7 and was available as a two-door convertible or a two-door coupé. 

The XKR variant, with a supercharged version of the 4.0-litre engine, arrived in 1998, and in 2002 both the XK8 and XKR versions had a mechanical upgrade with the arrival of the 4.2-litre engine. Other updates included new headlamps, wheels, badges and a wider range of body colours.

With a six-speed ZF auto ‘box, a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph, the XKR has a reputation as a fast, comfortable grand tourer with performance and handling to match that of rivals costing twice as much.

Registered new in October 2002, this must be one of the first XKRs with the 4.2-litre engine. Formerly owned by Alliance & General Leasing, believed to be the Directors Car back in 2003.

 The XKR is part of a collection of cars the vendor owns and with three small children he is not able to use it as often as he would like, so has reluctantly decided to part with it.

The car comes with a big file of paperwork including, importantly, the original service record. This shows that the car has been serviced at the appropriate intervals, with Jaguar dealer stamps on every entry.

The car's service history are as follows;

Supplied by Jaguar Grange of Exeter 2002.
Changed Hands to Alliance & General Leasing by Jaguar Grange of Exeter.
1. Serviced by Jaguar on 20.10.03 at 4,027
2. Serviced by Jaguar on 20.10.04 at 15,150.
3. Serviced by Jaguar on 22.09.05 at 21,978.
4. Serviced by Jaguar on 12.09.06 at 32,277
5. Serviced by Jaguar on 20.09.07 at 40,989
6. Serviced by Jaguar on 04.09.12 at 50,193
7. Serviced by Jaguar on 13.08.13 at 54,978
8. Supplied and Fitted by Jaguar Road Badge on 26.09.14 at cost of £75.84
9. Full Service carried out and Independent garage on 14.10.14 at 58,548 at cost of £180
10. Various Works carried out by Jaguar on 20.03.15 at 63,482 costing £685.49
11. Supplied and Fitted Door Latch at Jaguar on 28.07.15 at cost £308.18
12. Supplied and Fitted N/Stk Switch-Perf at Jaguar on 17.06.15 at cost of £88.02
13. Serviced by Jaguar on 23.10.15 at 65,937
14. Visual Health Check Carried out by Jaguar at 23.10.15 at 65,937
15. Various Works carried out by Jaguar on 23.10.15 at 65,937 at cost of £249
16. Serviced by Jaguar on 11.10.16 at 68,728
17. Various Works carried by independent garage on 11.10.16 at 68,725 at cost of £189.60
18. Full Service carried out and Independent garage on 01.05.19 at 72,522 (see invoice, this included ABS sensor and steering rack gaiter, full set of plugs and oil) totalling £569.67
19. Washer Pump and other parts replaced at 19.05.20 at 73,801 at cost of £178.45.
20. O2 Sensor replaced at 30.03.21 at 74,542 at cost of £269.92
21. Four New Pirelli P Zero’s 20inch fitted 10.10.21 at cost of £960
22. Recent New MOT showing zero advisories similar to all it’s previous MOT’s. 

The current registered keeper acquired the vehicle in November 2016 and has been registered in their name for the last six years.

The owners’ handbook is still in its original folder, along with the manuals for the navigation system, the radio and the in-car telephone. The CD for the navigation system is also supplied. There are a number of previous MoT certificates, and a thick wad of receipts for the work carried out. 

The XKR’s sleek lines still look the part. This car’s black paintwork is in remarkably good condition for a car approaching twenty years of age. There are no obvious scratches or marks on the bodywork, but there is some minor damage to the metal sill on the driver’s window – see pictures. 

All four wheels are in excellent condition, and have recently been fitted with new Pirelli P-Zero tyres all round.

Both headlamps show some evidence of condensation inside the lenses. The badges (including the distinctive XKR badges), the front grille and the brightwork look good.   

After a test-drive for Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson famously said that riding in the original XK8 was like ‘sitting in Blenheim Palace’. The interior of the XKR certainly backs up his statement. With the classic combination of all-leather seats and walnut dash, this is a stylish and comfortable driving environment. 

But it’s the condition of this particular interior that really sets the car apart. It all looks immaculate, and this is clearly a car that has been carefully looked after throughout its life. 

The vendor tells us that when he was looking for an XKR he noted that the seat bolsters were prone to evidence of wear, particularly on the driver’s seat, and it was the lack of such wear that drew him to this one. 

The front seats still look amazing, and the rear seats look as though they’ve never been used (which they probably haven’t, as they’re not very practical – the XKR is very much a 2+2, not a four-seater). 

The carpets have been protected by overmats, and are as clean and tidy as the rest of the interior, as are both door panels. The radio and satnav both work, as do the electric windows. The centre console contains a time-warp built-in phone, which seems to work but needs a SIM card. All the switchgear is intact and 

In the boot everything is clean and tidy, and under the floor is a space-saver spare which, apart from the tyre being a bit muddy, looks to be in good order. The boot houses a CD autochanger.   

The car starts on first turn of the key, and runs smoothly on tick-over. Gear Changes from the auto gearbox are quick and quiet, with no untoward noises. 

Even in the short drive across a London suburb from the car’s home to our photo location, the XKR’s fabulous performance was obvious. The car sounds fantastic, and accelerates as one would expect of a supercharged 4.2-litre engine. 

The car steers quickly and accurately, and the brakes bring it to a halt on a sixpence (it’s recently had new brake discs and branded XKR calipers, at considerable expense). 

Under the bonnet, the condition of the engine and surroundings match that of the interior, again reinforcing the idea that SH 52 LEW has been the subject of care and thorough attention throughout its life.

Underneath the car, everything seems to be in good order and there is no evidence of rust or leaks.   

As a quick, good-looking and comfortable grand tourer, the Jaguar XKR coupé has few rivals. Car and Driver described it as ‘sex on wheels… Elizabeth Hurley-wearing-Versace-at-the-Oscars sexy: provocative, confident, not at all trashy, with an upper-class British accent.’ 

While that cultural reference may have dated somewhat, the XKR’s looks haven’t. The car still turns heads. And there can be few cars of this era that offer such a thrilling driving experience.

SH 52 LEW has to be one of the best examples around, with few external blemishes and a sumptuous interior that belies the car’s age and mileage. Combined with the visual evidence of how well this car has been looked after, that reassuringly thick file of paperwork and Jaguar-dealer service history can only inspire confidence. 

We’re sure the new owner will love this car as much as the previous owners have clearly done.