Jaguar XK Review

In early 2006 the new Jaguar XK superseded the XK8 which we first saw 1996 and like the XK8, the XK is available in two body variants, a coupe and a convertible. Similarly there are two engine choices, either a naturally aspirated V8 or a supercharged variant.
At Jaguar, XK has always stood for sports car and for Jaguar, sports cars have always been used to push technology forwards. The badge first appeared on the XK120, unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1948. Like the new XK, the very first XK120s had aluminium bodywork and although the production models reverted to steel bodies, they still had abundant performance - mainly thanks to the first appearance in production of the classic Jaguar six-cylinder, twin-cam XK engine and retention of lightweight aluminium closure panels. In 1949 the XK120 justified its name, by topping 120mph in an official record run on the Jabbeke motorway in Belgium. Not only was it the fastest sports car of its day, it also started a golden era for Jaguar in sports car racing.

When the next XK, the XK8, appeared, in 1996, it reflected the times. It was a very different kind of car more a grand tourer than a classic sports car in the 1950s and 1960s mould, but every inch a Jaguar, and destined to be the fastest selling sports car in Jaguar history.

Now, the all-new XK takes the Jaguar sports car line to another level. It is lighter, faster and better equipped than the model it replaces, with substantial improvements in performance, handling dynamics, braking distances, safety and economy. In looks it pays homage to the legendary Jaguars of the past - the front grille, for example, is a clear evolution of the classic front ends seen on the D and E-type.
There are two engine variants in the Jaguar XK line up, a naturally aspirated or a supercharged 4.2 litre (4196cc) V8 engine. We drove the naturally aspirated Jaguar XK which produces 300bhp at 6000 rpm and develops maximum torque of 303 lb ft at 4,100rpm. The engine is built at the Bridgend engine plant in Wales; we have seen variants of the AJ-V8 engine since 1996 in previous Jaguar’s, including the outgoing XK8. It is a well tested engine but at 11 years of age we feel that it is out paced and under powered by BMW and Audi latest offerings.
Jaguar quotes a 0-62 mph time of 6.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. On the road we felt that sometimes the XK felt a little lacking, it certainly can deliver across the rev band but we felt as though some hot hatches could snap at its heals, not something you want from your Jaguar. Of course if it is out and out performance you are after there is the supercharged XK.

All XK’s are fitted with Jaguar’s sequential shift 6-speed automatic transmission system which incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes. The box is a break from Jaguar’s ‘J-Gate’ and now is an ‘L-Gate’ - you simply knock the lever to the left for sports mode, back to the right for normal or you can use the paddles on steering wheel. On Mercedes’ fitted with paddles I never really bothered to use them preferring to let the gearbox to do all the work but I did find myself using them on the XK as they worked well. We loved the way the XK blips the throttle either when you manually shift down or leave the car in sports mode - it sent a little chill up the spine.

The engine note is very addictive from the moment you fire up the engine via the red starter button, all the way up the rev band and back down again. I doubt you would ever tire of the burbling V8 pouring out of the twin exhausts.

We achieved 28 mpg on a relaxed tour of ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads but realistically you are looking at nearer to 22 mpg - which isn’t too bad considering what is under the bonnet.

Overall the engine is very good and so is the gearbox, just not the best in its class.
Our car rode on optional 20” wheels (£2500), the tyres at the front were 255/35 and at the rear 285/30, which is pretty wide. In our opinion the handling is more grand tourer than out and out sports car, but it is very near. Grip is phenomenal, even in the wet you would have to do be doing something insane on the public highway to lose grip and even then the traction /stability control brings everything under control. Even pulling off fast out of a junction in the rain did little to upset the XK, only the flicker of the traction control light indicating that something thing was adrift.

On our favourite test roads we found the steering possibly a little too light and on occasions the gearbox was caught out. It is best to be in sports mode as it makes the XK really stand up - also watch out for stability as on a very demanding uphill switch back bend it brought the car to a complete halt. Which I guess isn’t really a criticism more of an observation of the Jaguar’s safety systems in action.

We have to commend the XK’s ventilated brakes which are simply superb; too often ABS is too intrusive. Jaguar has got it just about right and even if you are an enthusiastic driver I am sure you will agree. The new XK has four-channel ABS with analogue control which is more refined than simpler ‘on-off’ digital controls, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution which ensures the correct balance of braking forces between all four wheels irrespective of road or vehicle-load conditions.

You can have some great fun with the XK, it is safe, it has predictable neutral handing and can take you through the most demanding of bends with some pace - it is not a Porsche 911 but more a grand tourer with pedigree.

source : www.carpages.co.uk