Body Structure
Convertible Body Style
XK8 is produced in two door coupe and convertible styles.
The convertible body style is a cut-down version of the coupe with tubular internal sill reinforcements and additional structure to suit.
Front
Front Bumper and Undertray
The hood is hinged at the front and supported by two non-locking gas struts when open. Hood release is by a lever located at the LHS 'A' post.
The front bumper beam is in a GMT material or aluminum for N. American markets, and covered in polyurethane. N. American models also have energy absorbing strut mountings. Valance reinforcement is provided for front fender mounting.
The front fenders are common parts to both coupe and convertible. A chrome-plated splitter vane with twin polyurethane overriders is installed in the front air intake of normally aspirated vehicles. On supercharged vehicles (XKR), a chromed mesh grill is installed in the front air intake.
The front fenders carry Jaguar badges and direction indicator repeaters. A single front towing eye stored in the trunk, screws in to either the left- or right-hand side of the lower cross member.
Center
Fascia and Center Console
The full width injection moulded fascia matches the 'A' posts and windshield valance assembly. Faced with a walnut burr veneer, it houses instrument panels appropriate to the market, and air conditioning vents
The toeboard supports the steering column and air conditioning unit casing.
Convertible and Coupe Bodyshells
For added rigidity, convertibles have internal sill reinforcing tubes and a tubular brace is installed between each BC post and the rear seat squab panel.
'A' post inners support the windshield and body side assemblies. The coupe body sides are one-piece assemblies each incorporating part of the outer sill, 'A' and 'B' posts and cantrail reinforcement and are joined to the rear tonneau.
The convertible has cropped coupe monosides with the outer wheel arches bonded to the tonneau. Both treadplates are bright finish with the car designation, Jaguar XK8, inscription added. To accommodate the folded top, the convertible rear seats are of a dedicated design and are not interchangeable with the coupe seats.
A one-piece soft tonneau cover, color keyed to the vehicle interior and secured by two Tenax fasteners, two velcro pads and two press studs, is retained by the trunk lid when in place. It is stowed in a bag on the front face of the trunk.
The coupe rear parcel shelf is trimmed in headlining cloth. It has provision for air extraction and has child seat anchorage points. For some markets, the rear parcel shelf also incorporates a high mounted stop light cover. Acoustic cloth covered speakers, courtesy lamps, integral armrests and stowage trays are incorporated in the coupe one-piece, moulded rear quarter casing.
The convertible rear quarter casing is similar to the coupe but does not have armrests fitted. The body has two-piece, LHS and RHS, carpets joined at the center console. Single color moulded carpets are fitted to the trunk. The coupe roof is trimmed in a one-piece moulded 6 mm thick cloth headlining supported by four body tangs, sun visor fixings at the front, and the rear quarter casings at the rear.
The header console incorporates two courtesy lamps and switched map lights. The convertible has a padded serviceable headlining and header console. On some market versions, garage door opener switches are also fitted in the header console.
Rear
Internal and External Trunk Lid Releases
A welded double loop rear towing eye is installed on the right hand rear corner of the luggage floor.
The trunk lid which is dedicated either to the coupe or the convertible, consists of inner and outer panels clinched together to minimize welding requirements. For some markets, warning triangle stowage is provided in the trunk lid liner. The trunk is opened from the car interior via a switch mounted in the driver side underscuttle. This switch is only operational when the valet mode is inactive, security disarmed (vehicle is unlocked) and the vehicle is stationary.
A key operated lock situated on the RHS of the trunk rear panel, provides emergency external access to the trunk. Non-locking gas struts support the trunk lid when open.
The fuel filler flap which incorporates a magnetic filler cap retainer, is unlocked via an illuminated switch in the driver's underscuttle. The filler flap can only be opened when the engine is not running, security is disarmed and the car is either unlocked or the key is in the ignition switch. A petrol/water drain is provided in the filler recess.
Convertible Top
Convertible Top Latching Mechanism
The fully lined and padded convertible top is fitted to an aluminum frame with steel linkages, providing good structural strength with light weight. The top folds down to a low stack height in the body opening of the rear quarter and has a semi-rigid cover. The top is power latched and has a green tinted, heated, glass backlight incorporating a security antenna. The convertible top operating pump is located on the right-hand side of the trunk.
To operate the top, the switch must be held depressed with the ignition switch in either position I or II. When the top starts to move, an audible warning sounds for 0.7 seconds. Latching and unlatching is automatic. Operation of the convertible top is inhibited at vehicle speeds in excess of 16 km/h (10 mph). If the vehicle exceeds this speed when the top is moving to the lowered position, it will continue to the fully down position. Should the vehicle exceed this speed when the top is being raised, further movement will be inhibited until the speed is reduced. Ensure that all passengers, personnel and equipment are clear of top before raising or lowering it.
Raising and lowering of the convertible top is controlled from the SCP network via the Security and Locking Module (SLM) and the Body Processor Module (BPM).
In the event of latch failure when raising the top, a visual warning is illuminated on the instrument panel. A center pull down feature facilitates manual latching of the top in emergency circumstances. Provision is also made for manual raising of the top should loss of electrics occur.