For the 1997 model year, the Jaguar XK8 was launched as a successor of the XJS. The XK8, which was the base equivalent for the 1st Gen XK, was launched both as a coupe and convertible. It became the first Jaguar to ever use the new developed engine – the AJ-V8- 4.0L V8 engine capable of 290hp. For the 2003 model year, the entire XK lineup received a mechanical upgrade with the engine output increasing to 4.2L, now capable of 300hp. All XK8 4.0L’s were mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, when the upgrade to the larger version took place the transmission was upgraded to an automatic ZF six-speed.