2001 Jaguar XKR 100 Limited Edition Convertible

This great looking XKR 100 Convertible is one of the 65-70 convertible examples to be allocated to UK dealers. With a retail price of £74,950 in 2001, this XKR proved a significant investment for its first lucky owner. Over the ensuing 20 years a further four owners would cherish and enjoy the XKR 100 with moderate miles being accrued in a pleasingly linear fashion. 

Current owner, Stuart, acquired the XKR in 2021 to become the Jaguar’s sixth registered keeper. At that stage the Jaguar had covered around 80,000 miles. On the day of our shoot the digital odometer stood at 84,819 miles, underscoring Stuart’s moderate use in the last four years. Despite that much has been spent during his tenure keeping the XKR 100 in a first class condition. Importantly that includes nearly £4,000 spent in December 2021 on a full professional underside repair and futureproofing. That included repairs where necessary and a subsequent full Dinitrol treatment. Additionally, those impressive BBS wheels were professionally refurbished in 2021 with a new set of factory specified Dunlop SP tyres fitted in February 2022 (4,000 miles ago). With all this attention lavished on the Jaguar in Stuart’s ownership it is now in prime condition to be enjoyed by its next owner.

Geoff Lawson’s XKR 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, XJ-S’s debut. Many felt the XK8 to be a long overdue spiritual successor to Malcolm Sayer’s beloved E-Type.

The metallic Anthracite of this example was the sole livery offered for this rarest of special edition centenary models. That’s no bad thing, of course, because it looks sublime. Those curvaceous panels take on an added degree of purpose, even moderate menace, under this metallic flake heavy, almost iridescent hue. Its condition is impressive indeed with just the inevitable odd stone chip and wing mirror scuff noted and photographed for review.

This example features the aforementioned black fabric hood whose condition appears to be an appropriate match for the remainder of the XKR 100’s exterior. It even features a large Triplex glass heated rear window. The subtle XKR 100 nose badge is also present and correct. The convertible sits on its impressive and differentiating set of 20-inch BBS, split rim alloy “Montreal” wheels. Thanks to their recent refurbishment these look to be very well presented overall and feature Jaguar “growler” centre caps and locking wheel nuts. These are shod with a matching set of staggered Dunlop SP tyres in 235/35 and 285/30 configurations. 

Jaguar dramatically raised their interior design game with the XK8 and XKR when compared to the outgoing XJS. The later car’s interior was emphatically more modern with sporting cues and traditional Jaguar luxury traits combining seamlessly in a high quality and appealing melange of leather, wood and wool.

This special edition centenary example adds an impressive list of extras to that already impressive roster, too. The deeply bolstered Recaro front seats are, perhaps, the most obvious upgrade even though the Recaro name is very subtly embossed into their backrests. Other special XKR 100 touches include the “100” etched sill protectors, the leather Momo steering wheel and gear knob – both with “R” detailing, aluminium pedal covers and smoked grey-maple veneers. Special XKR 100 embroidered carpet mats are even present.

The XKR 100 is a well-appointed car too with automatic climate control, DVD satellite navigation and uprated Alpine sound system all present. The 2001 originality quotient is spot-on, too, with even the Jaguar branded Motorola car telephone handset still fitted in the central cubby. The overall condition in here appears to be of a very high order given the car’s 24-year age. The boot provides a home to a specially made all season car cover and the vinyl hood tidy. A space saver wheel, tools and entertainment hardware are also housed here.

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, 2-litre capacity 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.

The big engine bay houses the AJ-V8 engine with its “Supercharged” embossed alloy intake plenums. The two 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. It is clear that this area received regular care and attention. Stuart also comments that no warning lights or known faults are present.

As previously mentioned the underside received some significant professional care and attention around 4,000 miles ago. As such a traditionally vulnerable aspect of the XK8 / XKR has been effectively futureproofed.

This XKR 100 comes with a solid archive of provenance providing paperwork as you will see from our photographic package. Key documents include the current V5 in the name of the owner. The current MoT is an advisory free example and is valid until January 2026. Numerous earlier MoTs in hard copy are also on hand. 

Other history highlights include the original Jaguar book pack and folders and a number of instructive invoices detailing parts procured and services rendered. As well as the previously mentioned wheel, tyre and underside expenditure, Stuart has kept the Jaguar regularly maintained with a renowned independent Jaguar specialist. The most recent routine service invoice is dated from January 2025 when an oxygen sensor was also replaced.

The XKR is a milestone and highly desirable Jaguar without doubt, marking the return of a confident producer of world class sports cars. Where else can you find a 370 bhp supercharged V8 convertible sports car for the price of a fairly mundane second hand family hatchback, after all? Purists will be particularly drawn to special edition models where rarity and enhanced specifications combine to bolster prices and underpin desirability.

This fine example has that box well and truly ticked being a very scarce centenary XKR 100 model. Of course it looks great thanks to its dark metallic livery, big 20-inch split rimmed BBS wheels and black fabric hood. But it also offers a host of additional features unique to the 100 and celebrating the life of Mr Jaguar himself. This, then is nothing less than a deeply cherished example of a very rare edition with that addictive supercharged V8 for company. It’s a combination likely to offer impressive value for money and almost guaranteed to keeping you grinning widely for many memorable journeys to come.

Our estimate for this car is £12,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.