2007 Jaguar XK

The all-new XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, powerful, ground-breaking sports cars, but behind its stunning looks, the all-new XK 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 it will launch with all the quality expected of a brand which is making great progress in independent quality audits. When it is launched in early 2006, this first of the next generation of Jaguars will signal the next exciting step for Britain's most evocative car company.

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 aluminum monocoque body structure, introduced with the latest XJ sedans.

Specifications
Engine		V8, 4.2 liter
HP		300 BHP@ 6000 rpm
Displacement		4196 cc (256 cu. in.)
Torque		310 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
Weight lb (kg)		3671 (1667)
Acceleration 0-62 mph		5.9 sec.
Top speed		165 mph (270 km/h)
Driveline		--
Price (approx)		--

You only have to look at the all-new XK to know that this car is a giant leap forwards. The handsome, powerful looks are clearly a continuation of the style of the Advanced Lightweight Coupe concept first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2005. The use of beautiful lines and clean surfaces was crucial in defining the all-new XK’s more sporting character. In design director Ian Callum’s words, "The fundamental values of Jaguar design do not change – not even since Sir William Lyons created the first Jaguar all those years ago. The entire design team worked with those values as we looked to create a car with clean lines, a purposeful stance and exquisite proportions. We took influences from our heritage and evolved them to produce a car that is beautiful, visually fast yet undeniably modern; just as Sir William’s own designs were in their day."

In one respect the all-new XK actually has more in common with earlier cars like the original XKs and the C, D and E-types than it does with the most recent XK, and that is the way in which the shape wraps much more tightly around the mechanical underpinnings. The way the well-toned skin stretches more tautly over the structure is timelessly modern, disciplined, sophisticated, and easy on the eye.

Inside the cabin the minimalist instrument cluster houses two prominent round dials either side of an advanced high-resolution colour display based on thin-film transistor technology. This 256-color display is split into several zones showing vital information such as gear selection, cruise control information, low tire pressure warnings and satellite navigation instructions, dependent on market. A centrally mounted 7-inch touch-screen allows intuitive selection of climate, audio, navigation, telephone and vehicle personalization settings.

A host of new driver aids have been introduced to make the all-new XK’s interior the most welcoming cabin imaginable. The Jaguar Smart Key System, for example, provides keyless start and keyless entry simply by carrying the Jaguar Smart Key in your pocket, case or bag.

Powertrains

From launch the all-new XK will be powered by Jaguar's renowned naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine which produces 300bhp (SAE). This compact, lightweight, high performance AJ-V8
engine is based on that fitted to the latest generation XJ sedan and has undergone significant development compared with the engine used in the previous XK family, including new fuel-injection technology. The latest 4.2-liter engine satisfies Euro 4 emissions requirements as well as the most stringent US emissions regulations, ensuring it meets ULEVII status – an improvement over the previous generation XK8 coupe which was certified as LEVII.

The naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 develops maximum torque of 310 lb ft SAE at 4,100rpm. Again, the spread of torque is an important ingredient in the XK's effortlessly sporty character, and this engine delivers more than 85 percent of maximum torque from 2,000 to 6,000rpm. Yet it still offers fine fuel economy over the outgoing XK8 coupe and low emissions figures, with a drop in CO2 emissions of 6 percent over the previous model.

Other specifications:

The all-new XK has a completely new braking system, tested extensively over many hundreds of laps at the gruelling Nürburgring test track in Germany where Jaguar has a dedicated research facility. The result is greater braking power and more responsive feedback to the enthusiastic driver. Larger, ventilated discs contribute to better pedal feel, optimum stopping distances and resist fade during extended use. The system also includes four-channel ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Assist to increase brake pressure during an emergency stop, and Jaguar's Electronic Park Brake function.

The all-new XK's Bosch Servotronic 2 steering is also adapted for a sports car from the XJ sedan, to give easy low-speed manoeuvring with optimum high-speed feedback under all conditions.Unlike conventional digital ABS systems used on many cars, the all-new XK's ABS system can vary the brake pressure at each wheel using analogue valves in the hydraulic control unit. This gives more refinement to the hydraulic pressure control and allows drivers to benefit from increased steering input during heavy braking.

The all-new XK also includes a host of other safety features designed to empower rather than overpower the driver. These include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, run-flat tires, Jaguar's Protec dynamic headrest system to protect against whiplash injuries, Forward Alert which uses the optional Adaptive Cruise Control system's forward-facing sensors to scan the road ahead 10 times every second to warn of a potential collision, and the new switchable TRAC DSC Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System.