Jaguar XK Coupe
This shouldnt happen. Received wisdom is that you see a car debut at a motor show, wait for the production ready version to come along and then sigh wistfully as you tick off all the interesting bits that failed to get past the legislators and bean counters. Think of the Porsche Boxster, the Mercedes SLK and the Range Rover Sport; three cars that looked a million dollars on a show stand but which were badly watered down when it came to production. Jaguars latest XK coupe seems to have reversed that trend.
Walk around one and its impossible to deny that in the intervening months between the Aluminium Lightweight Coupes European debut at the Geneva Auto Salon and the Jaguar XKs UK on sale date, the detailing was finessed still further. This is not a car that plays by conventional rules.
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5cm longer than the old XK8, but thanks to that advanced aluminium construction, its weight has plummeted to 1595kg for the entry-level car. Thats a huge 90 kilos lighter than the XK8, a car which weighed about as much as a Maserati Coupe and its still less than BMWs 630i, a car that boasts the lightest six-cylinder engine in production. The XKs svelte lines arent just an automotive trompe loeil. This car possesses an athleticism the old car cant match.
Look at the stance. Whereas the XK8 was undeniably elegant, it couldnt really claim to be especially dynamic in appearance. The long front and rear overhangs compromised cabin space and dated the design a little, but the latest car keeps the same basic premise, but tones up the whole look significantly. Designer Ian Callum has a tough task on his hands.
He cant afford to alienate existing Jaguar customers with a gratuitously radical design, but by the same token, he must strive to avoid becoming hidebound by Jaguars heritage. There are classic cues in the XKs styling if you know where to look for them. That oval front grille and the way the rear cabin tapers in over the haunches is classic E-Type. Even the front badge is a nod to this illustrious sports coupe.
What Callum has achieved is a tautness to the bodywork thats new to Jaguar. The car looks sinewy and muscular, the sheet metal stretched over something seriously purposeful. The faint whiff of Hyundai that plagued the ASC car has been thoroughly excised. Spot the latest models by the telescopic ariel which is now concealed within the boot spoiler.
"If you subscribe to the maxim if it looks right, it is right" you wont even wait for a test drive in Jaguars XK"
Theres also a welcome injection of practicality to the XK. Whereas the XK8 was astonishing in having such a huge footprint but such a tiny passenger compartment, the XK is a more spacious car altogether. The high hipline remains, but Jaguar have worked at making the interior feel a good deal airier, with a low scuttle and clever use of colour combinations. The wheelbase has increased by 162mm, and rear occupants will notice the difference immediately.
Up front, theres way more room around the pedal box and beneath the steering wheel. Gone is the rather mean boot of the XK8 unforgivable in a car with Grand Touring pretensions and in its place is a more versatile hatchback arrangement. Jaguar designed the XK with a convertible model in mind, knowing that this is where the lions share of sales will come from. There are also rumours of a diesel-engined variant, but much more important is the availability of a 420bhp supercharged XKR model for around £8,000 more than the standard Coupes £60,097 asking price.
The standard car gets a 300bhp 4.2-litre V8 similar to that in the latest XJ saloon. Due to the XKs weight loss plan, this car will jet to 60mph in 5.9 seconds and complete the standing quarter mile in 14.
4 seconds fully half a second quicker than the old car. In fact, those statistics are nudging towards those of the old supercharged XKR, which leads one to surmise that a supercharged XK would breach 60mph in less than five seconds. The top speed of the XK is electronically limited to 155mph although should you possess a lighter right boot you should realise a meaningful six per cent saving in carbon dioxide emissions over the old car. The interior is rather restrained in the best Jaguar traditions.
The old Spitfire wing plank of wood that ran across the dashboard has been ditched, with a driver focused binnacle, a broad centre console and a rethink in the use of materials. The latest models feature revised door switch packs, column stalks and a choice of wood of aluminium trim inserts. In my opinion, the XK looks better with a little less lumber in the cabin. This is a modern car and it doesnt need to feel clubby and quaint.
The Jaguar Smart Key system utilises a push button keyless entry/starting system. High technology features offered on the XK include adaptive bi-xenon lights, switchable TRAC stability control and traction control, Protec dynamic headrests, adaptive cruise control and the option of a tyre pressure monitoring system and run-flat tyres. The brakes have been upgraded with larger, ventilated discs with four-channel ABS. Unlike most digital ABS systems, Jaguar use analogue valves in the hydraulic control unit that subtly vary the brake pressure at each wheel allowing drivers to benefit from better steering response during particularly heavy braking.
Lighter, better looking, more focused and with intelligent and restrained use of technology take note, BMW and Mercedes the Jaguar XK has the fundamentals right, hence the waiting lists. If those are still in place in a year or sos time, itll be judged a success.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Jaguar XK Coupe
PRICE: £60,097 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 18
CO2 EMISSIONS: 267g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 5.9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 25mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS / EBD / TRACS stability and traction control
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4791/2070/1322mm
