The first-generation of the XK series shares its XJS-derived platform[3] with the Aston Martin DB7, with both cars tracing their history back to an abandoned Jaguar development study in the mid-1980s known as XJ41/XJ42, which had been mooted to be known as the F-Type.

[5][6] The stylistic predecessor of the XK8 were a pair of completely unrelated concepts as far back as 1982, when Jaguar realised that the XJ-S had grown too large in size and weight to be classed as a proper successor to the E-Type.

The XKR, which was introduced in May 1998, used a supercharged variant of the V8 engine used in the XK8 which is also shared with the XJR albeit with a few air-to-water intercooler modifications and a two piece drive shaft.

From late 1999, an optional R kit became available for the XKR which included a stiffer suspension system and gold coloured wheels.

The models were revised again in spring 2004 and notable changes included new wheel designs, bigger front and rear spoilers and a redesigned grille.

Jeremy Clarkson, during a Top Gear test-drive, likened the interior of the original XK8 to sitting inside Blenheim Palace.

They featured unique platinum paint finish (only available on the Silverstone XKR), specific badges and tread plates, a high-performance package with the same engine as the standard XKR, but improved transmission, steering, suspension and brakes (Brembo 4-piston brakes with aluminium callipers stopping the car from 97 km/ to 0 in 103 feet (31 m)), 20-inch silver BBS wheels and a custom interior (red-stitched black leather and silver birds-eye maple wood).

All Silverstone cars were manufactured in calendar year 2000, the last one being a coupé for the Japanese market built on 23 December 2000.

As it transpired, according to "Registre International des XKR Silverstone" these first 100 "phase one" cars totalled 102 in all, and were sold in the UK only.

A further production run of 500 cars was planned to satisfy demand from the United States and the rest of the world.

Built to celebrate the centenary of Jaguar's founder, 500 'XKR 100' coupés and convertibles combined total were made in 2002.

[14] The XKR 100 featured all the available options and an Anthracite paint finish, Recaro seats, 20-inch BBS alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, specific dark wood dashboard panels and GPS.

Features for the 4.2-S included new exterior and interior colours and two distinct veneer options for the instrument panel, polished door treadplates with chequered-flag emblems and embossed, leather-edged floor mats.

[15] The S gains firmer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, steering is 10% quicker and the ride height has been lowered by 10mm.

A concept car called the XKR-R which was very similar to the production XKR was produced in 2001 as a test bed for future Jaguar models.

It boasted a more powerful 336 kW (451 hp) engine, a limited-slip differential, a 6-speed manual transmission and improved handling along with visual differences from a standard XKR which include a larger rear spoiler, a quad-pipe exhaust system, a fully functional front grille and larger five spoke alloy wheels.

In 2005, 200 Carbon Fibre Edition vehicles were produced for the USA market to commemorate SCCA Trans-Am racing successes (source: Jaguar promotional brochure).

Introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles International Auto Show, the Victory Edition was offered in model year 2006, to "celebrate Jaguar's four championship wins in the North American Trans-Am road racing series and add to a successful lineage of special and limited edition XKs introduced since its launch," according to Jaguar's press statement.