What Is It?
2007 Jaguar XK
What's Special About It?
The old Jaguar XK was shaped almost as perfectly as a coupe could be. But when we asked Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum what it was like designing its successor he seemed unfazed by the challenge. "I wanted this car to have a little more testosterone in its shape. It still had to keep some of the softer, more feminine lines, but it's easy to see where this car is more aggressive."
There's no exaggeration in that statement as the 2007 Jaguar XK, which will hit dealers next April, looks tough from the rear thanks to prominent shoulders that sit over wheels and tires at least 18 inches in diameter (19s and 20s are optional). The car is taller and slightly longer and rides on a wheelbase that's been increased by 7 inches. The front doesn't do much for us, but we do like the new power vents in the front-quarter panels that include "Jaguar" badges. "I want people who pull up next to the XK to know that it's a Jaguar," said Callum.
The interior was designed with simplicity and driver focus in mind. Traditional Jaguar finishes are offered along with a darker, metallic-trimmed cabin for those looking for something a little more modern. A touchscreen navigation screen sits front and center with all other controls cascading around it. The car's taller roofline and extended wheelbase translate into more head- and legroom, always a sore point in the previous model.
Just as much passion went into what's underneath this XK's new skin. A switch to aluminum construction shaved nearly 400 pounds and resulted in a body that's 31-percent stiffer than the previous XK. And with the standard 4.2-liter, 300-hp V8 Jag says the car can now hit 60 mph in just 5.9, two-tenths quicker than the previous supercharged XKR.
A six-speed automatic is still the only transmission of choice, but this time around it comes with a set of steering wheel paddle shifters. Because of this Jaguar did away with its signature J-gate gear lever in favor of a simplified reverse "L" pattern. And Chief Program Engineer Russ Varney insisted that the transmission was reworked to assure quick, positive shifts. "We didn't just throw in some paddles and leave it at that. We wanted it to work good enough to make you want to use them."
Use those paddles correctly and this Jaguar will hit a top speed of 155 mph, but larger more powerful brakes shouldn't have much trouble hauling the 3,671-pound coupe back down to reality. If things do get too out of hand, the XK has standard stability and traction control along with a new Forward Alert system that scans the road and warns you of a potential collision.
What's Edmunds' Take?
A nose job might be needed sooner rather than later, but everything else about this new coupe looks right. As always the real test will be how it drives. Mr. Varney assured us that he's well aware of the driving dynamics of the Mercedes SL500 and BMW 6 Series. "Our weight advantage is huge and this XK takes advantage of it," he said. Sounds like another fun comparison test. — Ed Hellwig
2007 Jaguar XK
What's Special About It?
The old Jaguar XK was shaped almost as perfectly as a coupe could be. But when we asked Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum what it was like designing its successor he seemed unfazed by the challenge. "I wanted this car to have a little more testosterone in its shape. It still had to keep some of the softer, more feminine lines, but it's easy to see where this car is more aggressive."
There's no exaggeration in that statement as the 2007 Jaguar XK, which will hit dealers next April, looks tough from the rear thanks to prominent shoulders that sit over wheels and tires at least 18 inches in diameter (19s and 20s are optional). The car is taller and slightly longer and rides on a wheelbase that's been increased by 7 inches. The front doesn't do much for us, but we do like the new power vents in the front-quarter panels that include "Jaguar" badges. "I want people who pull up next to the XK to know that it's a Jaguar," said Callum.
The interior was designed with simplicity and driver focus in mind. Traditional Jaguar finishes are offered along with a darker, metallic-trimmed cabin for those looking for something a little more modern. A touchscreen navigation screen sits front and center with all other controls cascading around it. The car's taller roofline and extended wheelbase translate into more head- and legroom, always a sore point in the previous model.
Just as much passion went into what's underneath this XK's new skin. A switch to aluminum construction shaved nearly 400 pounds and resulted in a body that's 31-percent stiffer than the previous XK. And with the standard 4.2-liter, 300-hp V8 Jag says the car can now hit 60 mph in just 5.9, two-tenths quicker than the previous supercharged XKR.
A six-speed automatic is still the only transmission of choice, but this time around it comes with a set of steering wheel paddle shifters. Because of this Jaguar did away with its signature J-gate gear lever in favor of a simplified reverse "L" pattern. And Chief Program Engineer Russ Varney insisted that the transmission was reworked to assure quick, positive shifts. "We didn't just throw in some paddles and leave it at that. We wanted it to work good enough to make you want to use them."
Use those paddles correctly and this Jaguar will hit a top speed of 155 mph, but larger more powerful brakes shouldn't have much trouble hauling the 3,671-pound coupe back down to reality. If things do get too out of hand, the XK has standard stability and traction control along with a new Forward Alert system that scans the road and warns you of a potential collision.
What's Edmunds' Take?
A nose job might be needed sooner rather than later, but everything else about this new coupe looks right. As always the real test will be how it drives. Mr. Varney assured us that he's well aware of the driving dynamics of the Mercedes SL500 and BMW 6 Series. "Our weight advantage is huge and this XK takes advantage of it," he said. Sounds like another fun comparison test. — Ed Hellwig
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