The V-8 is just as flexibly calibrated. In sport mode, the five-speed automatic transmission suspends upshifts a little longer, and the growl of the engine is clean and pleasing. And while maximum torque doesn’t arrive until 4,250rpm, most of that driving force is available at lower revs, so you get plenty of boost for highway passing with very little engine effort.

The Jaguar XK8 is re-assuring and quintessentially Jaguar.