http://automotorundsport.de/news/fotoshows/jaguar_xk_coupé.89520.htm

looks awesome!

Looks 90% like a maserati.
Not that it's a bad thing.

I was thinking more Aston, but it is looking great, inside and out. I wonder how Aston sales will be affected by this.

The profile, rear and interior look great in the pics. Not too sure about the front though. Will probably look good in person.

I was thinking more Aston, but it is looking great, inside and out. I wonder how Aston sales will be affected by this.

Yeah, looks WAY too much like an Aston. I sometimes confuse them on the road as it is. The whole grille shape with the headlights makes them even closer in appearance.

you guys are right...from some angles it does look like a maserati...
the car itself is distinguishable, but the proporations and other things scream maserati

the car looks great, probably the first jag that i actually like

and yeah, it does look a lot like the maserati, very interesting

Looks like a Ford humped an Aston...

drink300

I just don't like that J-shift :sad:

looks awesome... is it the embodiment of jaguars advanced lightweight concept? now offer it in a manual!

Looks good but the front end looks kinda like a ford taurus front end. The proportions look maserati. I don't mind jags but the fit/finish was pretty shoddy with the jag that I rented on a trip to vegas. The stitching on the seats were poorly done and I nearly cut my finger with the plastic molding piece on the steering wheel covering the airbag. I forgot which model it was (the low end one) but the V6 was terrible. My ex-boss had an old jag and his was smoooooth. What happened?

From the front, I still prefer the current one.
I'm sure there'll be a lot of improvements & a better car.

Looks more like a 550 Maranello to me.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=208265&stc=1

But from the front it really does look Maserati-ish

I agree it looks a lot like an Aston... but really y'all, is that a bad thing for the Jag?

I think this will make a VERY serious competitor to the 6-series... and when the convertible comes out, to the Lexus SC as well. IMHO, this looks a lot more classy and expensive/exotic than the 6 does... not to knock the 6 by any means. I'm curious to see how it handles as well. Judging on how well the new all-aluminum XJ sedan handles, i'm guessing this is going to follow suit. Is it going to be all aluminum as well? Props for Jaguar, great looking car.

VERY Aston Martinish....... But that is a GOOD thing no question. And me thinks it will sell quite well!

Looks pretty good. How does it compare to 645Ci size-wise?

i was never a fan of jags but this one is hot

I hope this one will sell better then the last one for Jaguars sake,

i love the back end of the car. but the head lights kind of remind me of the chevy cavilier. it might be just me but thats my .02

Could have done more with the tail end. Reminds me of how the beautiful S-Type was killed with that Ford Taurus/Contour rear. I know one thing, I'd be pissed if I owned an Aston and yeah I also see the Maserati. It's kinda what Toyota did with the new Solara, as it strongly resembles the SC430 with a softtop I suppose. And oh yeah I love the way all the new cars that matter are coming with push button start. :D Then again Prius has one if I recall.

about damn time they redesigned that thing!!! :thumbup:

Looks HOT!

The profile, rear and interior look great in the pics. Not too sure about the front though. Will probably look good in person.

I agree looks good except for the front grill in particular that looks like a Mondeo. :thumbdn:

i was never a fan of jags but this one is hot

Yea i agree. That car looks ok definitley Aston looking :) I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens...

hmmm the front end looks a lot like the last generation Ford Taurus, especially the grill.

http://automotorundsport.de/sixcms/media.php/23/jag4_120.103368.jpg

Looks v. good from this angle :
http://media.autobild.de/bild/C/60d775f9fb0b8f82d4b6590ab318d3cc_1.jpg
More :
http://media.autobild.de/bild/8/c4e959030a3dc54c958c0c2cd3dfc588_1.jpghttp://media.autobild.de/bild/C/2600fc3b7fba63cfc0a5740d788f71ec_1.jpg http://media.autobild.de/bild/8/a188c380d8a2c3c448e7523220a2cd08_1.jpg

Does it look like an ASton, Yes (surely not a bad thing at all)
A lil Fordish in the front (yes).

My new favorite coupe under 100k, possibly YES.

GORGOUS!!!

this was James May's (top gear dude.) comment on the upcoming Xk..

"ordered a 911? kept the receipt did you?"


i really dig the new XK, and it probably is a carbon copy of the ALC Concept, and i would like to dub the XK "Baby Aston"

http://automotorundsport.de/l.gif
Dear Lord, ANOTHER start/stop button.

And jag already has 20" wheels in production, the concept had 21".

I don't like it at all. The current XK looks a lot better in my opinion.

There's a lot of economy showing through that horribly styled front fascia.

M.

PRESS RELEASE

Jaguar is proud to announce a new era in its sports car lineage – the all-new XK. Like all great Jaguar sports cars, the focus of the all-new XK is firmly on the future, while acknowledging the marque’s rich history. It heralds a new era for Jaguar in terms of both design and engineering, and it is the most technically advanced Jaguar ever built.

The all-new XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, powerful, ground-breaking sports cars, but behind its stunning looks, it bristles with practical, intuitive, modern technology, clearly focussed on enhancing the driving experience. It delivers significant improvements in performance, dynamics, safety, exterior and interior design and equipment, and product quality. When it is launched in early 2006, this first of the next generation of Jaguars will become the sporting flagship of the Jaguar brand.

By starting with a blank canvas, Jaguar was able to make use of the latest aerospace technologies alongside more traditional Jaguar skills to create a luxurious, powerful, highly advanced sports car. A major key to the all-new XK’s character is Jaguar’s industry-leading aluminium monocoque body structure, introduced with the latest XJ saloons.

With this unique high-tech construction method, the all-new XK’s bodyshell is
31 per cent stiffer than the previous XK’s and significantly offers a 10 per cent improvement in power to weight ratio. The all-new XK is up to 90 per cent stiffer and 180kg lighter than key rivals, with a kerb weight of just 1595kg.

In the words of Jaguar's Chief Engineer Mike Cross, in charge of the all-new XK’s vehicle dynamics, "What the team has looked to engineer is a sports car with true all-round ability. That means it must be fast, outstandingly agile, and truly exciting to drive. It has to go quickly, stop quickly, and do everything in between in the way a Jaguar should. Yet it’s also a rational choice – the all-new XK will deliver a balance of superb driving dynamics and comfort that is the epitome of sophisticated sporting luxury."

All-new Jaguar XK at a glance:

- All-new Jaguar XK 2+2 sports car

- First of a new generation of beautiful, fast Jaguars

- The most technically and technologically advanced Jaguar ever

- Succeeds the Jaguar XK range introduced in 1996

- All-aluminium construction forms a lightweight, incredibly stiff, strong car

- All-new XK lighter than its predecessor and key rivals, at 1595kg kerb weight

- Delivers a balance of superb performance, driving dynamics and Jaguar sophistication

- Intuitive controls and driver-focussed technologies – such as keyless entry, push button start and active lighting – enhance driver enjoyment

- Spacious, elegant sports car cabin exemplifies Jaguar craftsmanship, luxury and quality

- Launched with latest generation naturally aspirated 4.2-litre Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, developing 300bhp (224kW) SAE / 298PS (219kW) EEC

- New Jaguar Sequential Shift 6-speed automatic transmission system incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes

- Reaches 60mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds and completes quarter mile sprint in 14.4 seconds – less than half a second off the pace of the previous 400bhp supercharged model*

- Top speed of 155mph (electronically limited)

- On sale from early 2006, with prices announced at the beginning of the year.

- Convertible model will also be available – details will be announced later this year

http://www.jaguar.co.uk/uk/en/vehic.../the_new_xk.htm

Hmm, like the GS 430, the new Xk is an all new car with the same engines. They DROPPED the ball here. The 650 has what, 350hp? The 911 325 or 355? Hell the SC 430 has 300hp.

This is a big disapointment. THis is a new COUPE, it needs POWER. Otherwise, give me a sedan.

Hell the G35 has 298hp as a coupe (manual). The new IS has MORE power than this car.

This is a SPORTS CAR. Its NEEDS more power. IMMEDIATELY.

http://mirrorimage.keycast.com/med/usr/30/ext_gall_1024_wallpaper_13jpg551327.jpg
http://www.km77.com/marcas/jaguar/2006/xk/gama/gra/16.jpg
http://www.keycast.com/med/usr/30/int_gall_1024_wallpaper_01jpg898389.jpg
http://www.km77.com/marcas/jaguar/2006/xk/gama/gra/08.jpg

We've had a couple of threads on this car before....when the first pictures came out.
An good-looking car...not quite as good as the last XK, mainly because of the fish-out-of-water grille.

One BIG problem inside, though. What's with the black-and silver interior without wood? A Jaguar without WOOD? :egads: That's blasphemy. Next they'll take out the Connally leather...another Jaguar tradition.
I notice the tan interior DOES have wood. :thumbup:

I notice a lot of comments here about the similiarity to Astons. :agreed:

That is no accident, guys. It is very real....and intended to be that way. The Jaguar XK series has shared bodies and basic platforms with Aston Martin for some years now ( though the engines are somewhat different ). In fact, that is one of the reasons that Aston Martin sales in the U.S. are so low......much lower than that of Jaguar. The XK, with some minor differences, is essentially an Aston for about half the price.......roughly $70,000 versus $140,000.

I hope the seats are more comfy & the interior less confining than the last one . . . & they're going to have a XKR too right ? I hope the front will look better with the mesh grille . . .

Ithey're going to have a XKR too right ? .

Since the 4.2 L V8 has had a lot of modifications for this new car, it may take some time to get the supercharged R version certified with the EPA. Then, when you're done with Federal EPA certification, you have to deal with California and CARB....which is even more restrictive.

I'm not necessarily against Jag spending the extra time and money into doing a new supercharged XKR....as long as it is within reason and not absurd like some of the power ratings on the top-level M-B AMG's.....but Jag, IMO, would be wise to put more of its resources into quality control and engineering. They took a big step forward for several years after Ford bought them out in 1989 and they tossed out the old Lucas electronics , but lately, like M-B, have retrogressed badly in the area of reliability. Consumer Reports now ranks them as one of the worst overall nameplates.

We've had a couple of threads on this car before....when the first pictures came out.
An good-looking car...not quite as good as the last XK, mainly because of the fish-out-of-water grille.

One BIG problem inside, though. What's with the black-and silver interior without wood? A Jaguar without WOOD? :egads: That's blasphemy. Next they'll take out the Connally leather...another Jaguar tradition.
I notice the tan interior DOES have wood. :thumbup:
GOod point about the wood, I didn't think of that.
As for the ugly front, most all new cars sold in Europe may have uglier front ends, as they have new laws in pedestrian safety. So cars have to have higher hoods to protect people getting hit by cars.

Ian Callum designed this Jag as well as was help with the Astons.

I hope they really get the electronic kinks worked out.

One BIG problem inside, though. What's with the black-and silver interior without wood? A Jaguar without WOOD? :egads: That's blasphemy. Next they'll take out the Connally leather...another Jaguar tradition.
Well, I' ve seen even the Bentley Arnage T interior with no wood trim at all, with carbon fibre/aluminium instead. I suppose Jag offer it as the "sporty" trim. Whether one likes it or not is a matter of taste.

a few complaints...

1) underpowered
2) doesnt come in a true manual
3) its a jag/ford
4)probably unreliable
5) i agree the grill is a bit ugly.. still i could live with it if the above was fixed.

a few complaints...

1) underpowered
2) doesnt come in a true manual
3) its a jag/ford
4)probably unreliable
5) i agree the grill is a bit ugly.. still i could live with it if the above was fixed.

I imagine they're using the same strategy as Lexus with the 2GS430 --> 3GS430 --> 3GS460.

Except for BMW, no one makes manuals in GT coupes/convertibles at this price point. I agree it'd be nice to have, but I don't think the typical Jag-yoo-ah customer will opt for that option.

The grill pays homage to the E-type, one of the most revered Jag nameplates.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Images/Photos/20021127102420e-type_10.jpg

I imagine they're using the same strategy as Lexus with the 2GS430 --> 3GS430 --> 3GS460.

Except for BMW, no one makes manuals in GT coupes/convertibles at this price point. I agree it'd be nice to have, but I don't think the typical Jag-yoo-ah customer will opt for that option.

The grill pays homage to the E-type, one of the most revered Jag nameplates.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Images/Photos/20021127102420e-type_10.jpg
http://i.tnpv.us/2005/WKA200508/WKA2005082568690_pv.jpg

If you like this car, tons of large size WALLPAPERS HERE (http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2007-Jaguar-XK.htm)

Damn, I love this car, and every other Jag as well(except that horrible X-type). Sexy and classy designs as always. This car looks outstanding. Cant wait to see the convertible.

Damn, I love this car, and every other Jag as well(except that horrible X-type). Sexy and classy designs as always. This car looks outstanding. Cant wait to see the convertible.
I love it too. I always had a soft spot for Jag as a kid.

Jaguar makes beautiful cars. But has the reliability improved much now that Ford owns it?

Just got the e-mail, pricing starts at $75, 500, I loaded it and got to $86, 975, with 16 way seats, AFS, laser cruise, The 20s were 5k, and 500watt stereo.

It is lighter but still with 300hp. So the XK-R will hit 100k easy.

Isn't the new XK designed by the same guy that designs Aston Martins?

I think his name is Ian Callum, and he actually got mad because with the Jaguar XK, they had to follow a lot of laws and regulations in car design. He ultimately did NOT like his design only because he didn't have full liberties.

But I think he did a good job in designing the car. Now if only Jaguar can redesign the technology and reliability of their cars... :D

Isn't the new XK designed by the same guy that designs Aston Martins?

I think his name is Ian Callum, and he actually got mad because with the Jaguar XK, they had to follow a lot of laws and regulations in car design. He ultimately did NOT like his design only because he didn't have full liberties.

But I think he did a good job in designing the car. Now if only Jaguar can redesign the technology and reliability of their cars... :D
Correct. This is his first full Jag though he's had the job years now. He did the X-type estate, adding the wagon part.

He got screwed b/c of new pedestrian safety laws in Europe. Car hoods are raised and they have to not damage dummies walking on the street.

Yea sucks about the new Pedestrian laws, but what can you do. I think the car still looks georgous. The convertible even more so.

From a HP only perspective, 87K is kinda steep, but as a whole I might be able to justify the price. Or maybe its my Jaguar design bias talking again. Thank god its pretty light and can atleast keep up with the competition.


Isn't this the one where the touchscreen interface is written in Macromedia Flash?
Yes sirrr. :)

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185219&highlight=Macromedia+Flash

http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkconv_1.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_2.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_1.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_8.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_7.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_9.jpg


Review and photos by Tony Whitney


Stellenbosch, South Africa - It was an awful long way to go to drive the new Jaguar XK, but there were few complaints from the international media attendees once they got behind the wheel of the car.

Stellenbosch, not too far from Cape Town, is in the heart of South Africa's wine country and some of the scenery is so like the Napa Valley it's all too easy at dinner to make the mistake of ordering a bottle of Mondavi, rather than a fine local Lanzerac or something similar.


There are some amazing roads in the Cape region, many of them winding through spectacular mountains and others taking in some of the most impressive coastal scenery in the world. It all adds up to a great location for a drive in a superlative automobile like the new XK.

Late this Spring, the new XK will arrive in both coupe and convertible guise and it promises to set the industry on its ear - not only for its looks and reasonable price (for its class), but also for its innovative engineering and construction features.

Interestingly, both coupe and convertible were developed in parallel - there was never any question of designing a coupe and "cutting the top off." When asked whether any thought was given to developing a retractable hardtop coupe instead of offering two models, the design team's answer was that the style, overall look and essential "Jaguarness" could not be retained by going that route.

Making its debut as a 2007 model, the car is the latest in a long line of classics, going back to the SS of the 1930s, the wonderful XK 120, the legendary E-Type and all the great XKs that came along since. I suppose that every Jaguar built falls into the "instant collectible" category and although the company had its share of ups and downs until the Ford takeover, the name has never lost its status among people who love serious motor cars.

The new car is as sleek and as slippery as an automobile can get and follows, to some extent, the general lines of its predecessor introduced in 1996. The design of the new XK has its origins in Jaguar's Advanced Lightweight Coupe concept first shown at the Detroit auto show early in 2005. There isn't a crease anywhere - it's all clean, voluptuous, flowing lines that have something in common with earlier cars like the E-Type and XK120. "Influences from our heritage" is the way design director Ian Callum describes it.

It could be argued that some Aston Martin models and maybe a Ferrari or Lamborghini or two are more dramatic, but they come at something like twice the price and often with poor levels of practicality.

The XK uses an aluminum monocoque structure similar to that of the XJ sedan. The entire body is aluminum and it's exceptionally stiff and rugged. It uses not only conventional aluminum sheet, but also diecastings and extrusions. Conventional welding techniques are supplemented by advanced bonding process to help create a stiff, flex-free bodyshell. Jaguar looked extensively at aircraft construction techniques where a combination of strength and light weight is critical. The new car is being built at the company's Castle Bromwich plant in Britain's West Midlands, where Spitfire fighters were turned out in large numbers during World War Two. Old timers in the Birmingham area can still remember the days when traffic would be stopped outside the plant so aircraft could be towed across the road to an airfield opposite from which they would be flown to their squadrons - often by legendary fighter pilots whose signatures can still be examined in a logbook in the plant lobby.


Of course, the Castle Bromwich plant has been updated many times and is now very much state-of-the-art.

The bodywork includes a decent-sized rear liftback, which should improve luggage-carrying capability and is probably a "best in class." A whole lot of soft luggage can be stowed back there, making the XK much closer to being a real Grand Tourer than some of its competitors.

As might be expected these days, the body was designed to be as safe as possible in an accident with all kinds of beefy structural features as well as the usual crush zones. And for those worried about the costs associated with repairing aluminum bodywork, Audi, which also produces aluminum bodies for its A2 and A8 models, has stressed that it can actually be cheaper to repair aluminum than steel. The headlights, described by Ian Callum as "a car's jewellry" look and function exceptionally well and have bi-xenon beams.

Power comes from a 4.2-litre V8 of advanced design developing 300-horsepower.

It's mated to a 6-speed sequential transmission operated using steering wheel-mounted paddles, race-car style. This new-generation Jaguar transmission should please everybody from those who just dawdle around cities to owners who love to drive fast on winding mountain roads. The sequential transmission provides very fast shifts, though even in straight automatic mode, this car will really "get up and go." It really is the "best of all worlds."

Jaguar claims a zero to 100 km/h figure of around six seconds, which is very quick by any standards. Will we eventually get an "R" version with supercharger and even more power? You betcha!

One of the major talking points among media folk at the launch was the fact that although this is a very refined and silky automobile, Jaguar made serious efforts to ensure that the car boasted a nice throaty engine note. It reminded me that there are "sports coupes" out there with far too much of the noise refined out of them. Jaguar calls the XK exhaust "mellow, powerful and modulated" and few who drove the car in South Africa disagreed.


The interior is a fine piece of work and well up to the traditions Jaguar has been developing for generations. The car seemed roomier to me than the earlier model - with possibly more hip and shoulder room than an older XJ sedan. As one might expect, extensive use is made of fine leathers and wood veneers (although there's a non-wood option). As far as instrumentation and controls go, the XK is a good mix of modernity and traditional touches. The seats are very supportive, but there are no grab handles for a worried passenger on a twisty road - something that Jaguar said couldn't be engineered into the car without interfering with the general look.


Probably the best compliment I can pay this new Jaguar is to say that it handles like a much smaller car. We were able to evaluate the car at the Killarney track near Cape Town and it acquitted itself well on what is basically a tight little club circuit. These Jags have always been quite large and heavy, but intensive work the company has done on the suspension, damping and stability control systems has paid off. Drive one of these in anger and you'll think you were piloting a Miata - until you accelerate out of a tight corner and experience all that power. Mind you, the XK is lighter than its predecessor at 1,665 kg for the coupe and 1,705 kg for the convertible.

This is a highly desirable car at a reasonable price for its class. The coupe will cost $103,000 & the convertible, $113,000 -quite a bit under some class rivals.(that's Canadian$ ;) )
Main competitors, according to Jaguar, are the Lexus SC430, Mercedes-Benz SL500, BMW 650i and Cadillac XLR. The last XK, introduced in 1996, sold very well for Jaguar with 90,000 rolling off the line during its fairly long model run.

source : canadiandriver

http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkconv_2.jpg
http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_4.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_3.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkcoupe_11.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2007/jaguar/xk/07xkengine.jpg

Another beautiful coupe, not a huge fan of the front end but its okay.
The interior while nice, I dunno, just not different or avant garde. Its rather bland for a coupe.

Overall, I love it and love how Jag continues to drive weight down!!!

Oh its just soo beautiful. Yea, wheres the wood?? Probably some sort of Sports Package that options out the wood for aluminum trim. I know some of the R models have aluminum trim. Oh well, still looks nice though.

Oh its just soo beautiful. Yea, wheres the wood?? Probably some sort of Sports Package that options out the wood for aluminum trim. I know some of the R models have aluminum trim. Oh well, still looks nice though.
Yes, the interior shown above has the non-wood interior option, but even if it's replaced by wood trim, it seem to have less than the previous ? I saw some of the previous XKR's have very dark color wood trims, but not alumium.
I still like the nose/headlights of the previous one better, also the interior design too, but this one looks roomier inside :thumbup: I find the previous model a little cramped & uncomfortable inside.

It looks decent and the weight reduction is nice but I like the previous model much more. It was such a great looking car, especially the coupe although it was overpriced. I was very tempted to get a used one but I could only find convertables in decent condition and Jag reliability and costs scared me from getting one. The front does not look good especially the headlights and grill in this new XK8. Interior is okay, looks much better with the wood option. It honestly does not look like a very expensive lluxury car to me but I will wait to see it in person to make final judgement. To me this new model seems dated already and that the last model seems like it would have been more modern and a imporvement over this new model.

It looks decent and the weight reduction is nice but I like the previous model much more. It was such a great looking car, especially the coupe although it was overpriced. I was very tempted to get a used one but I could only find convertables in decent condition and Jag reliability and costs scared me from getting one. The front does not look good especially the headlights and grill in this new XK8. Interior is okay, looks much better with the wood option. It honestly does not look like a very expensive lluxury car to me but I will wait to see it in person to make final judgement. To me this new model seems dated already and that the last model seems like it would have been more modern and a imporvement over this new model.
I just saw the pics of this car and searched to see if there was already a thread (which there was, of course). I just wanted to say, I think they wrecked one of the most beautiful cars out there. :( The headlights look terrible, like a Chevy Cavalier or Cobalt. The rear lights are all crazy too, not the simple elegance and beauty of the old coupe. I briefly looked into buying a used one, and found the prices surprisingly cheap, but reliability and cost of parts and labor scared me away (not to mention I wanted a back seat you could actually use). Very disappointed by this car. :( :(

Well my cat is coming sometime in June but I will be attending the XK premier in Miami where future buyers will have a chance to drive it. I will let you know.

Manager of The Collection told me if I want a convertible with same specs as the one I have on preorder (and even same jaguar racing green!!!) I can have it as soon as the end of the March.
That's good but I prefer coupe to convertible and once again Jag expects to sell more convs than coupes which means long wait if you opt for coupe.

P.S. Btw I thought that Caramel interior doesn't come with aluminum. Anyway those car pictured are equipped with Aluminum Luxury Package. Strange since I have been told that it will be a delayed option.

Well my cat is coming sometime in June but I will be attending the XK premier in Miami where future buyers will have a chance to drive it. I will let you know.

Manager of The Collection told me if I want a convertible with same specs as the one I have on preorder (and even same jaguar racing green!!!) I can have it as soon as the end of the March.
That's good but I prefer coupe to convertible and once again Jag expects to sell more convs than coupes which means long wait if you opt for coupe.

P.S. Btw I thought that Caramel interior doesn't come with aluminum. Anyway those car pictured are equipped with Aluminum Luxury Package. Strange since I have been told that it will be a delayed option.
Congrats, please continue to share your experience :woot:

Well my cat is coming sometime in June but I will be attending the XK premier in Miami where future buyers will have a chance to drive it. I will let you know.

Manager of The Collection told me if I want a convertible with same specs as the one I have on preorder (and even same jaguar racing green!!!) I can have it as soon as the end of the March.
That's good but I prefer coupe to convertible and once again Jag expects to sell more convs than coupes which means long wait if you opt for coupe.

P.S. Btw I thought that Caramel interior doesn't come with aluminum. Anyway those car pictured are equipped with Aluminum Luxury Package. Strange since I have been told that it will be a delayed option.
Congrats :)
The pics I posted above is from a Canadian article, plus they did the test in South Africa, so it's possible the trim combinations available may be different from the U.S. . . . . .

The Jag-Aston resemblance is nothing new. The XK-series and entry-level Astons have shared a common body and chassis for years. The engines, though, have been different.....as has the interior trim.

(You could say the two have a common " Bond". :D )

Click HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th_9uCH7UCU)

:thumbup: Clean....I like...

After seeing the convertible at the Auto Show, I was :sad: .
1. There was NO ATTENTION at this all new car, even spinning on a podium. It got NO traffic. SAD!!
2. It looks GOOD but did not FLOOR ME like in pics. Not good. The 6 while ugly, is more IN YOUR FACE. This car looks good, the front end is still odd, but its not OHHHHHHH

After seeing the convertible at the Auto Show, I was :sad: .
1. There was NO ATTENTION at this all new car, even spinning on a podium. It got NO traffic. SAD!!
2. It looks GOOD but did not FLOOR ME like in pics. Not good. The 6 while ugly, is more IN YOUR FACE. This car looks good, the front end is still odd, but its not OHHHHHHH

That's what I like about Jaguar. The recent XJ and now XK redesigns have impressed me with their subtlety. I think both designs are good forward movements without being so over-the-top as to become pompous, sacrificing class.

Thumbs up to Jag.

M.

Currently, the XK coup is my number 1 candidate to replace the Lexus GS later this year. IMO, this is the most graceful coup on the market now. I give Jaguar credit for staying true to their roots and choosing simplicity and refinement over the current trend towards more aggressive designs.

I also saw the covertible at the Atlanta Auto Show, and the reason it was unimpressive is because they had it up on a pedestal at eye level. To appreciate the design, I believe you need to see the car on the ground.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/jw/jwa682/xkcoup1.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/jw/jwa682/xkcoup2.jpg

The overall shape and profile looks great but those headlights are econo-hideous!

What were they thinking?

Here's a Top Gear video review of the XK coup which is put to the test on a frozen lake in Norway.


http://www.vsocial.com/PlatAdPlayer.swf?v=18172

Jaguar hoping for big boost from redesigned XK sports car
By MARK RECHTIN | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 05/15/06, 3:00 am et

http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060515&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60515004&Ref=AR&Profile=1041&maxw=490



CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico -- After 10 years, Jaguar has finally redesigned its XK coupe and convertible, complete with an advanced aluminum alloy body-in-white and outer skin.

The problem is that Jaguar's overall U.S. sales are lagging. The XK must be good enough to tide over Jaguar and its dealers until the S-Type sedan redesign arrives in spring 2008.

The basics: Following the XJ sedan's journey into aluminum fabrication, the XK coupe takes it a step further. Aluminum gives the XK performance advantages over its segment rivals.

Although the car's V-8 engine is a retuned carryover, the XK's light weight allows it to get from 0 to 60 in less than six seconds. Its quarter-mile time is 14.4 seconds. Jaguar claims its sequential manual transmission -- developed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Robert Bosch GmbH -- gives quicker and more exact shifts than competing systems from BMW or Audi.

The new XK, while barely longer than its predecessor, has a wheelbase that is 6 inches longer.

Notable features: Standard features include adaptive dampening, bi-xenon headlamps, multi-CD audio player, navigation system, reverse parking radar, keyless locks and engine start, directional headlights, driver and passenger memory seats, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The convertible roof stows in 18 seconds beneath an aluminum tonneau cover. A touch-screen in the center console allows control of climate, audio, navigation, telephone and vehicle settings.

Jaguar engineers also wanted to ensure the car sounded right. The exhaust system keeps things quiet around town, but the car lets out a crackling growl when the driver floors the accelerator pedal.

What Jaguar says: "The foundation of the XK is so good," Russ Varney, XK chief program engineer, said at the XK's press launch here. "We have a great powertrain, a great body, a great suspension. We'd be (disappointed) if we couldn't make a great car out of it."

Adds C.J. O'Donnell, Jaguar executive vice president of sales and marketing: "We are shattering the misconception that this is an older man's car. This is about living fast and always in style."

Compromises and shortcomings: The front fascia styling, especially the headlamps and large oval grille, has drawn criticism. The center console's information touch-screen washes out in sunlight. Rear legroom is minimal.

Even though the redesigned XK is made from aluminum, it weighs almost as much as the old version because of all the new gadgetry, safety equipment and features.

While many competitors are going with retractable hardtops, the XK convertible still has a canvas roof and its accompanying huge blind spot. But the canvas roof helps in terms of luggage space and packaging the rear of the vehicle to accentuate the car's haunches.

The market: The XK went on sale April 17. In the past, convertibles accounted for 90 percent of XK sales among American buyers. The speed and handling of the redesigned car may raise coupes to as much as 25 percent of the total. The coupe is priced at $75,550, the convertible at $81,500. Prices include shipping. Jaguar declined to give sales targets for the car.

The skinny: The Jaguar is going up against some potent rivals in the Mercedes SL, BMW 6 series, Porsche 911 and Lexus SC 430. The XK scores points by using aluminum, but it is no leap ahead in terms of overall execution. It may be good enough to keep Jaguar loyalists in the brand, but it will be a challenge to conquest sales from the Germans and Lexus.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060515/FREE/60515004/1041/TOC01ARCHIVE

Will XK fix Jag's spotty record?
Ford's luxury marque pins high hopes on aluminum-body coupe to help stem sliding sales.
John McCormick / Special to The Detroit News


CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Jaguar is known mainly for two things these days -- making expensive and often beautiful cars for the upper crust and losing money for parent Ford Motor Co.

Now the roller-coaster fortunes of the famed, if tarnished, British automaker are entering a critical phase. With sales falling year after year, the fate of the luxury brand funded with an estimated $10 billion of Ford's money over the last 17 years is in serious question.

Officially, Ford is standing by Jaguar the way family would express support for a ne'er-do-well cousin. But at a time when the automaker is fighting to return its automotive operations to sustained profitability, industry observers say Jaguar's turnaround had better arrive quickly lest Ford finally pull the plug on its chronic underperformer.

The latest hope for revival -- typically pinned to a new Jaguar that will revolutionize its segment -- resides in the 2007 XK coupe and convertible, showcased recently in South Africa.

Three months later and with only a few weeks of sales under its belt, it's too early to declare the new XK a success. But reaction from critics and dealers has been mostly positive. And last month, the XK was the only positive note in an otherwise grim set of sales numbers for Jaguar.

Compared with a year ago:


XK sales jumped 122 percent -- up to 544 units.


Sales of the XJ sedan, the marque's flagship, dropped 41 percent.


S-Type sales dropped 27 percent.


Sales of the X-Type, the entry-level luxury car, dropped 60 percent.

Overall, Jaguar's global sales in 2005 fell to 85,531 from 115,453 the previous year.

One problem for Jaguar, says CSM Worldwide analyst Joe Barker, is Jaguar's sister brand in Ford Premier Automotive Group -- Land Rover.

"Jaguar is in the unfortunate position of not being able to expand its portfolio into the profitable luxury truck sector because that is Land Rover's role."

The new XK will help, he says, but "it will take a lot more than this one model to turn things around at Jaguar."

At its peak, the previous generation XK model sold 14,000 units annually worldwide. Expectations for the 2007 model are more modest, with the U.S. market predicted to account for 6,000 sales per year out of a global total of 10,000.

In its favor, the new $75,500 XK coupe is priced a few thousand dollars below the competing BMW 650i and substantially less than its primary rival, the $94,675 Mercedes-Benz SL. But in wealthy neighborhoods across the country, the SL is entrenched as the two-seater of choice, so Jaguar still faces a tough challenge.

The XK's uphill battle is compounded by two factors seen as drawbacks by some critics. First, the car's 4.2-liter V-8 only produces 300 horsepower; the 2007 SL model comes with 386-horsepower from a 5.5-liter V-8. The British automaker also points to the XK's lightweight, all-aluminum body as an advantage that sets it apart from European rivals.

According to Jaguar body structure engineer Mark White, aluminum brings advantages not just in terms of performance, but also in creating a superior handling sports car. "If we had just done a conventional high-strength steel body shell, it would have been heavier than the old car with a similar powertrain, and therefore would not have given us the sporty character we wanted," White said.

Still, the XK's design elicits mixed reactions. Many critics have lauded the XK as Jaguar's most iconic design, but others have aimed barbs at the details.

Fortune magazine's Alex Taylor III described the grille as "simply a travesty, a plain oval with the Jag emblem in the middle; it recalls the recently departed Ford Taurus, an inappropriate homage if there ever was one."

Retorts Jaguar's chief designer, Ian Callum: "Get over it." Callum points out that the grille design is very similar to that of the 1960s E-Type, perhaps the most revered production Jaguar of all time.

The XK's design and what it portends for Jaguar is critical for the brand, which arguably relies more heavily on its appearance than any other. This has been evident with the 2004 XJ sedan, which has struggled in the market not because of its driving qualities, but because its design was changed almost imperceptibly from its predecessor.

Callum promises that dramatic change is on the way, starting with the new 2008 model S-Type sedan debuting later this year. The next XJ, due in 2009, will be "even more radical."


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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060513/AUTO01/605130385/1148/AUTO01

http://www.babez.de/arden/aj20/pic01.jpg


Arden AJ20
15-05-2006

Shortly Arden will offer the following for the new Jaguar XK:

- Body modifications
- Power increases
- Suspensions
- Light alloy wheels

A first picture - more information will follow soon....

source : babez.de

I feel the same way about this XK as I did about the previous one: I'm looking for an objective reason to buy this car. It looks good - but what else? Why would I really want to own and drive this over an SL500 or 650i? Over a 997? All of those cars have their own sensual appeal as well.

I feel the same way about this XK as I did about the previous one: I'm looking for an objective reason to buy this car. It looks good - but what else? Why would I really want to own and drive this over an SL500 or 650i? Over a 997? All of those cars have their own sensual appeal as well.

Great point and like JLSC4 said earlier what's up with those budget lights. Otherwise beautiful car.

Behind the Wheel
2007 Jaguar XK: A Low-Fat Cat

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/06/02/automobiles/04auto1.600.jpg
The new XK is elegant to behold, but it seems to lack the swagger and rakish charm of progenitors like the XK 120, XK SS, XKE and XJ 220.

By JERRY GARRETT
Published: June 4, 2006

IAN CALLUM, who designed the new Jaguar XK, has a framed letter on the wall of his office in England. "Whoops!" the letter begins. "I am SO sorry!"

Emotion is more likely than pricing to seal a deal in the premium sports class. In that regard, the XK would seem to have an edge.

The apology came from Mr. Callum's younger brother, Moray, who is also an auto designer. (Moray recently became design director for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars in North America, after serving as head of styling for Mazda.)

In 1995, Moray Callum had just started to restyle the Ford Taurus. To add what he considered a sporting touch to the otherwise staid family sedan, he borrowed the elliptical grille opening of some classic Jaguars. He set Ford's blue oval emblem in the middle of it, atop a stripe of chrome.

That decision by Moray, now 48, loomed large when it came time for his brother Ian, who is 51 and Jaguar's director of design, to restyle the British automaker's 10-year-old sporty coupe and convertible.

"Everyone wants to know why the new XK has a 'Taurus nose,' " Ian lamented in an interview. "Done in by my own brother!"

Whatever the geneology of its nose, the new XK has arrived, like the eagerly anticipated scion of fading aristocrats, with the burden of great expectations. The car is expected to do nothing less than pull the revered English automaker out of its doldrums; give its parent, the Ford Motor Company, an overdue return on a very large investment; and put Jaguar back on the short list of great European luxury marques.

The new XK is elegant to behold, but it seems to lack the swagger and rakish charm of progenitors like the XK 120, XK SS, XKE and XJ 220.

The XK's teardrop-shape headlamps and taillights are one departure. "I looked at the old E-Type elliptical headlights and said, 'It's been done,' " the designer said. "Too obvious. Let's do something different."

The coupe's liftback, however, is pure E-Type. The convertible's rear haunches look a bit swollen, but that is because the trunk had to be big enough to hold the retracted softtop and some luggage.

The Jag does not have a retracting hardtop, like rivals from Cadillac, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. "There's more power and presence in having two cars — a convertible and a coupe," Mr. Callum said. "It's not just a choice; it's to challenge which one to buy."

The rear wing seems a little too large — it houses the mandatory center brake light. As a result, the spoiler provides more rear downforce than desired, and can cause the nose to lift at speeds over 130 miles an hour. That, happily, is not an everyday worry.

The hood line is not as low as Mr. Callum would have liked it to be; he is also not fond of the lower air dam, which gives the new XK a shovel-nose look. These touches were mandated by new European rules governing front-end design, intended to reduce injuries to pedestrians. "The dimensions are set by regulations," Mr. Callum said of the front end.

There are "gills," or side vents, behind the front wheels that augment the car's catfish face. These recall Mr. Callum's early career designing cars like the Interceptor for the British automaker Jensen.

And then there is that snout. "I believe the grille will continue to be a signature Jaguar styling cue long after the Taurus is gone," Mr. Callum said emphatically.

The Scottish-born designer said he deliberately sought a controversial look with a bit of "discord — and a sense of edge." If his goal was to do more than recycle well-established Jaguar themes and designs — taking the easy, noncontroversial path — it would seem he has been successful. "I wouldn't dumb the car down, just because it's a Jaguar," he said.

The interior styling is less contentious. The champagne-color convertible that I tested featured a sublime mix of real walnut burl veneer and creamy caramel leather.

The contoured front seats cocoon the driver and passenger, though the tiny rear seats are suitable only for very small children or leprechauns. The driver looks over the long hood like an airline pilot surveying the curvature of the Earth.

The remote keyfob doesn't fit into an ignition switch; it merely needs to be in the car. A starter button lights up the 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8. The restrained rumble of that engine won't disturb the neighbors, but it will warm the long-neglected cockles of an Anglophile's heart.

More powerful XK's are expected to come — with 420 and even 500 horsepower — at six-figure prices. The smooth six-speed ZF automatic transmission — this gearbox is not a choice but a given — is one of this car's finest attributes.

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/06/04/automobiles/04auto3.650.jpg
Can you find the Jaguar in these pictures?
Jerry Garrett for The New York Times
(That's a 2001 Ford Taurus above and a 2007 XK below.)

Early drivers have had notably mixed views about the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. Some drivers have described it as numb, and others as too heavy. I thought it was nicely weighted.

Curtis Turner, the late stock car driver, used to say the ultimate test of a car's turning prowess was whether it could make a U-turn on a two-lane bridge (presumably, in Turner's experience, with a revenuer in hot pursuit). The XK can come exhilaratingly close to nailing that standard — quite a feat considering its 11-inch-wide tires rated for high speeds. The XK has a turning circle of 33.3 feet, compared with 39 feet for the latest Chevrolet Corvette or the Cadillac XLR.

Still, the XK is the least aerodynamic convertible in the over-$50,000 class. The Jag's drag coefficient of 0.36 compares with 0.32 for the BMW 650i, 0.31 for the XLR and 0.29 for both the Mercedes SL and Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet.

Previous XK's have been referred to euphemistically as sporting cars — a backhanded compliment for Jaguars that didn't cut the Grey Poupon in the handling department. This new cat feels light on its paws. It sinks its claws into the pavement and springs eagerly out of the turns.

Its suspension — unequal-length double wishbones, front and rear, plus coil springs — have been more precisely tuned for performance that is closer to a true sports car's. Computers provide four-corner control of pitch, yaw and damping of the Bilstein shock absorbers. The faint of heart will appreciate driver's aids like traction and stability controls; brake force distribution for panic stops; and better antilock brakes.

The newly invigorated ride is also steadied by a wheelbase stretched six inches. While the new XK is virtually the same length as the old XK8, it is 3.7 inches wider and 4.7 inches taller. In its effort to set itself apart from high-prestige German and Japanese cars, Jaguar has developed an aluminum strategy: the XK, like the latest XJ sedan, has an all-aluminum chassis and body. (The Audi A8, built with an aluminum space frame, is the only mainstream competitor that can make a similar claim.)

If the XK feels tightly put together that is because it is. Sections of the car are both riveted and joined with high-strength aerospace adhesives, much as modern aircraft are put together. The aluminum construction helped Jaguar cut 263 pounds from the coupe and 375 from the convertible. That's a good 500 or so pounds lighter than the steel-body Mercedes SL500 or BMW 650i.

This, in turn, helps the Jaguar to laudable, class-leading fuel economy. In my testing, the convertible averaged 24 m.p.g. over all.

The coupe is, understandably, slightly more taut and quiet than the convertible, although it provides far less hedonistic pleasure. The convertible's semi-rigid canvas-covered top drops and stores in the trunk in 18 seconds. A couple of thin roll-on suitcases might fit in the drop-top's cramped trunk, if they don't get in the way of the folded top or its mechanism.

The coupe's trunk is almost 50 percent larger; optional run-flat tires eliminate the spare, freeing a bit more luggage space.

The XK is the first Jaguar convertible with rollbars that pop up in a rollover.

The convertible has a price premium of about $6,000 over the coupe, which starts at $75,500. The convertible I tested had a sticker of $85,200, including the $665 shipping charge. This represents a price bump of about $6,000 over the discontinued XK8, but the Jaguar is still priced some $14,000 below the Mercedes SL.

Of course, emotion is more likely than pricing to seal a deal in the premium sports class. In that regard, the XK would seem to have an edge; some shoppers are put off by the BMW 650i's styling and complicated iDrive controls. The Mercedes SL may no longer seem so exclusive, given that some 12,000 of them are now sold each year. The Lexus SC 430 is — forgive me for putting this so delicately — rather homely.

True, the XK is far from the most handsome Jaguar ever; that title was retired with the glorious E-Type, the standard for British sports car styling since 1961. And while the new XK doesn't quite have the movie-idol good looks of the recently departed XK8, it is, for my money, the sexiest sports car under $100,000. Even with the proboscis of a Taurus.

source : nytimes

Those 2 pics back to back almost made me puke. I really love this car. It is getting some RAVE reviews thus far, the first truly sporty Jag in ages.

Some of the styling up front is to be blamed on idiot European Save dumb pediastrians in the road laws. Cars have to protect pedestrians, thus look for more ugly noses to come.

I still think the car is gorgous though, one of the best looking coupes today

umm..... damn....... i have no problem with them trying to go after the styling of aston martin, but they could have done a better job....

I don't care if his brother stole Jag cues for the Taurus. They had plenty of time to revise the front-end after the early 200x Taurus design changes. The front end looks Mickey Mouse to me.

M.