Jaguar launched the XK8 range in 1996. It served as the replacement for the legendary XJS coupe, and was even based on the same platform. It was good. Good enough, in fact, for the same platform – along with Jaguar’s first-ever V8 engine – to form the basis for the Aston Martin DB7. But as good as it was, it was also not great. And it was mostly quality issues that relegated both the Jag and the Aston Martin to the bench.
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