Performance Review: Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jaguar XK Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Jaguar XK has a 4196cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The XK shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the XK's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1665 kgs (3670 lbs) this makes the Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Jaguar XK shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 4196cc 32V V8 engine produces 414 bhp (308 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp).

The Supercharged V8 throws out 413 lb-ft (559.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Jaguar XK you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (273.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jaguar XK.

The Jaguar XK has a Power to weight ratio of 248.6 bhp per ton and 248.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 XK competing with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (273.6 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Jaguar XK generating around 248.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1969 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 396 V8 3spd Manual (273.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 Coupe 4 Speed Close 1st Gen (273.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged as fast as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the or the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs). This Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the XK and the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible

When talking about the performance of the Jaguar XK on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.13 secs @ 104.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible (13.07 secs), the 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 (13.08 secs), and the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 XK equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo Sport 4.8 V8 Automatic (185 mph).

Related Links:

2008 XK Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jaguar

Car Comparison