End of the line for the Jaguar XK

7 Mar, 2014 3:30pm Jack Rix

Jaguar’s flagship XK sports car will cease production this summer to make way for a wave of new Jaguar models

After eight years on sale and 54,000 cars sold, the Jaguar XK is no more. Production of the Coupe and convertible will cease this summer, Jaguar has confirmed.

Jaguar is calling the decision part of a “wider strategic vision and product planning cycle,” but in reality sales in the luxury GT segment have shrunk dramatically in recent years, to the point where the XK now only accounts for 4,000 sales a year worldwide.

• Jaguar announces Beckham partnership

With the F-Type Roadster and Coupe now in showrooms, Jaguar feels confident that customers after a luxury sports car are catered for. It also needs extra capacity in its factories to prepare for a wave of new models based on the new iQ[Al] aluminium platform.

The XE will be the first – the first Jaguar to be built at JLR’s Solihull plant in a brand-new facility - and will go on sale in early 2015. A production version of the C-X17 SUV concept is likely to follow, possibly in 2016, with replacements for the XF and XJ after that.

A replacement for the XK isn’t out of the question, but a low priority right now. According to a Jaguar insider a flagship 2+2 sports car is still desirable but not before the foundations are right with a range of strong-selling core models.

• New Jaguar saloon to be called XE

Disqus - noscript

Submitted by kYd on Fri, 2014-03-07 18:23.

I think this makes sense purely from a nomenclature perspective. I wouldn't be surprised to see a full size grand tourer introduced in a few years under the name E-Type to follow the F-Type. The X? Cars will carry on as saloons.

Submitted by Morg on Sat, 2014-03-08 12:05.

End of an era. Still, mk1 XK8s (or even XKRs) are now tantalisingly cheap.
After they upgraded to the 4.2 litre engine, they became pretty reliable too.

Submitted by RogerSavage on Sat, 2014-03-08 13:54.

The XK has worn spectacularly well - even one of the first models on a 55-plate looks bang up-to-date and is a stunning design.

I like the F-Type but the XK is much more 'meaty', has more presence and is a bit of a bargain nearly new (and older).

Submitted by mb on Sat, 2014-03-08 16:21.

this is one of the most elegant and beautiful Jags I have ever seen and the revived design looks even better. the feline headlights, well proportioned body, swooping body line, the noise, just a brilliant combo. ever since I saw it back in 2006 nothing came close. XF, XJ, F-type all good but not as beautiful as the XK.

Submitted by Jag lover on Sun, 2014-03-09 02:03.

Well I think Jaguar is going to regret of axing the one popular car. Here in Australia 10% have been sold here. There no replacement. Well look like either XJ8 R or XF R.

Submitted by Joe on Sun, 2014-03-09 04:07.

I have spoken to a few dealers. They said they have not heard anything about the model discontinuation. It makes no sense since they just launched the 2014 line up in January. There isnt any formal announcement so i wonder whats the source of this article