2002 Jaguar XKR Convertible

This great looking XKR Convertible offers as clean and straightforward a provenance as you are likely to find. Bought new by the current owner in 2002 and still owned by him to this day with a mere 46,179 miles covered in the intervening years. That equates to a shade over 2,000 miles a year on average.

This XKR combines a sublime and popular Zircon Blue over Cashmere leather livery with the rip snorting mechanical drama of 370bhp delivered with neck-snapping immediacy from a supercharged 4L V8. It’s quite a beguiling combination, for sure. And as if that wasn’t enough of a lure you have the power to transform snug coupe cabin into an expansive convertible at the push of a button. With summer just around the corner (possibly / allegedly / don’t quote us) there would be no better time to put yourself behind the wheel of one of the ultimate British sports convertibles.

Despite Ford needing to raid the XJS parts bin in order to deliver the XK8 and subsequent XKR models in lighting quick order, there is no hint of that from the outside. The XKR’s styling is as curvaceous and organic and the XJS’s was divisive and unconventional. This model owed more to the scrapped XJ42 concept car than might be expected and was not dissimilar to its close cousin, the Aston Martin DB7. As a result, the public’s acceptance was immediate when compared to the faltering, almost prematurely cancelled XJ-S’s debut.

The bright Zircon Blue of this example is, surely, one of the preeminent colours for the XK8 / XKR. It works so well across the muscular curved haunches of the car lending it a bright and summery persona so appropriate to a convertible sports car. As you might expect from such a low mileage and prized example the condition appears excellent with a deep lustrous finish still evident beneath the rain. The bodywork is equally well presented with consistent panel gaps and a notable lack of dings or pings noted.

This being the range topping XKR model, there a number of differentiating features present when compared to the less exalted models. Perhaps most obvious are the twin, body coloured bonnet louvres. These are accompanied by a Jaguar head bonnet emblem with “Supercharged” motif as well the world’s most subtle and understated boot spoiler.

Our example sports a contrasting blue mohair hood whose condition is a match for the remainder of the XKR’s exterior. This features a large Triplex glass heated rear window. The convertible sits purposefully on a set of original 18-inch “Double 5” alloy wheels which were specific to the XKR. These look to be in a very presentable overall condition with just some minor kerb rash noted in places. These wear a matching set of staggered Pirelli P-Zero tyres in 245/45 and 255/45 configurations. These are all date stamped back to 2009 so may need updating on an age basis alone.

With an interior designed in the early 1970’s the XJS’s interior was woefully behind the times by the end of its life, despite numerous revisions and upgrades. As a result, the pressure was on Jaguar to raise the bar in no uncertain terms with the interior treatment of the all new XK8 and XKR flagship sports cars. Jaguar did not disappoint with the new car’s interior drawing almost universal praise and plaudits for its quality and aesthetic appeal.

This example doesn’t disappoint in that regard, being predominantly finished in Cashmere hued soft grain, perforated leather. The high-backed and deeply bolstered front sports seats present in excellent condition in keeping with the car’s light usage. 

The contrasting oatmeal-coloured carpets are deep pile and appear to be in excellent overall condition and have clearly benefitted from the protection afforded by the use of edge bound carpet over-mats. The dash is fronted with a dark varnished walnut veneer, accents of which extend to the door cards and centre console. The hood is lined in oatmeal fabric and appears to be free from rips with just some light usage marks evident.

The XKR is a well-appointed car too with automatic climate control and heated front seats in evidence fitted. The interior appears to be entirely original down to the factory fitted Jaguar cassette player with accompanying 6-CD changer mounted in the boot. The surprisingly commodious boot is nicely finished in grey carpet and the original jack, wheels brace and tools are situated under the hinged floor. The space-saver spare wheel is also present.

It’s comfortable and well-appointed cabin giving today’s driver a true sense of piloting a British sports thoroughbred without compromising on comfort or equipment. The overall condition appears to be of a very high order given the car’s 22-year age.

The AJ-V8 engine was new at the launch of the XK8 and was fitted to the lower volume sports car line to help establish its capability and longevity without the wider risk of a high-volume roll out. Within a short period of time the engine had established itself as a winning design to the point that Jaguar were happy to bolt on a big Eaton supercharger to its for installation into the XKR performance variant. The big Eaton spins at 1.9 times the engine speed and, in this 4.0L V8 engine, boosts power to an impressive 370bhp.  In this version this is mated to a smooth shifting Mercedes Benz five speed automatic transmission with the distinctive J-gate selector.

Lifting the gas strut supported bonnet reveals the AJ-V8 engine with its “Supercharged” embossed alloy intake plenums. The twin cylinder head covers are inscribed with Jaguar branding and are in good order. It is a tightly packed engine bay but highly original and clean and straight.

The underside of the car appears to be appropriate to the car’s age and mileage with some superficial surface corrosion present as one might expect. As we will see next, significant remedial work was undertaken to the traditionally prone areas of the XKR’s underside in 2017 at around 43,000 miles. This has effectively futureproofed the XKR and should be a source of considerable reassurance to the next lucky owner.

This XKR comes with a good depth of provenance providing paperwork as you will see from our photographic package. Key documents include the current V5 and the original book pack in its Jaguar embossed leather folder. The current hard-copy MoT is also present with validity until December 2024. A ream of earlier hard copy MoTs are also present.

These are accompanied by plenty of maintenance related invoices from a range of providers including main dealers and specialist independent garages. These document services as follows:

03/09 at 31,007 miles

05/13 at 38,994 miles

10/15 at 40,791 miles

03/17 at 44,157 miles

08/21 at 45,356 miles

Additionally, there is a detailed invoice from September 2017 documenting a spend of over £3,000 with Cotswold Classic Car Restorations. This was for extensive, professional remedial work to the traditionally prone underside areas of the XKR.

The XKR is a milestone Jaguar without doubt, marking the return of a confident and audacious maker of world class sports cars following a decade of turbulence, upheaval, and uncertainty for the marque. This status is almost sure to render this model increasingly desirable and sought-after.

This example is especially appealing due to its rarely seen one-owner and low original mileage. It boasts a sublime and popular livery and is ready to make indelible motoring memories in with immediate effect.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £11,000 - £15,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.