What Is It?
2007 Jaguar XK Convertible
What's Special About It?
Hot on the heels of the 2007 Jaguar XK coupe, the convertible version of Jaguar's sexiest model will go on sale this spring.
Priced around $82,000, it will offer all the advances of its hardtop sibling, including all-aluminum construction which makes the car 50 percent stiffer and 200 pounds lighter than the outgoing XK convertible. It also means the adoption of new technologies, such as keyless entry and starting and active front lighting.
Under the bonnet is Jaguar's 4.2-liter V8 that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic and benefiting from the new convertible's weight loss program, Jag says this setup is good for a 0-to-60-mph time of 6 seconds flat, a quarter-mile performance of 14.5 seconds and a top end that's electronically limited to 155 mph.
Enthusiasts who didn't like the old "J" gate shifter will be happy to know it's history, replaced by a more conventional design and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. When the paddles are used, Jaguar claims gear changes as quick as 600 milliseconds.
Larger brakes that saw developmental testing at the Nürburgring racetrack have also been fitted. Jaguar says they're powerful enough to bring the swift cat to a halt from 60 mph in under 115 feet.
Jaguar also made an effort to improve the XK's handling. The latest version of Jaguar's active suspension now has the ability to control body lean, which should make for flatter cornering and a sportier feel behind the wheel.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We liked the looks of the previous XK, but felt its handling and braking lacking. With its lighter weight and improvements to the suspension and brakes, the 2007 XK should thrill us dynamically, too. — John DiPietro
2007 Jaguar XK Convertible
What's Special About It?
Hot on the heels of the 2007 Jaguar XK coupe, the convertible version of Jaguar's sexiest model will go on sale this spring.
Priced around $82,000, it will offer all the advances of its hardtop sibling, including all-aluminum construction which makes the car 50 percent stiffer and 200 pounds lighter than the outgoing XK convertible. It also means the adoption of new technologies, such as keyless entry and starting and active front lighting.
Under the bonnet is Jaguar's 4.2-liter V8 that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic and benefiting from the new convertible's weight loss program, Jag says this setup is good for a 0-to-60-mph time of 6 seconds flat, a quarter-mile performance of 14.5 seconds and a top end that's electronically limited to 155 mph.
Enthusiasts who didn't like the old "J" gate shifter will be happy to know it's history, replaced by a more conventional design and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. When the paddles are used, Jaguar claims gear changes as quick as 600 milliseconds.
Larger brakes that saw developmental testing at the Nürburgring racetrack have also been fitted. Jaguar says they're powerful enough to bring the swift cat to a halt from 60 mph in under 115 feet.
Jaguar also made an effort to improve the XK's handling. The latest version of Jaguar's active suspension now has the ability to control body lean, which should make for flatter cornering and a sportier feel behind the wheel.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We liked the looks of the previous XK, but felt its handling and braking lacking. With its lighter weight and improvements to the suspension and brakes, the 2007 XK should thrill us dynamically, too. — John DiPietro
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