The Jaguar XK range was only introduced back in the mid 1990s but it has already gained a reputation as a guaranteed future classic and both past and present iterations inspire excitement in motoring fans of all ages.

Back in 1996 the first XK, also known as the X100, was given its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Jaguar had created it in order to supersede the outgoing XJ-S and as such it got a brand new 4 litre V8 engine, eventually upgrading this to a supercharged edition for the XKR in 1998.

The XK range became iconic in a relatively short amount of time and it actually shared many elements with the Aston Martin DB7, giving it greater credentials as a prestige and performance model than it might otherwise have attained.

The long, tapered body of the XK range in its original form harked back to the Jaguar E-Type of the 1960s, which is now often cited as being the most beautiful car ever produced. While it is currently difficult to conceive of the XK ever reaching quite the same heights, it will be difficult to assess its true impact until much further down the line.

The XK range was refreshed in 2006 with the introduction of the X150, a model designed by Ian Callum and representing a distinct departure from the look of the original, even if the spirit of the sport tourer coupe was still preserved.

While the original XK looked like a modernised E Type, Callum said that he had in fact based the curvier replacement on the body of famed British actress Kate Winslet.

The new XK range also received and XKR edition, which brought the top speed up to 174 miles per hour, exceeding that of the basic model by 16mph and also giving it considerably faster acceleration.

Available as both a hard top and a convertible, it will be interesting to watch the XK range mature in the coming years as it gains a new reputation in the eyes of future generations and enters the realm of a true classic car.