The
Jaguar
E-Type or XKE is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful, iconic
cars of all time. Introduced in 1961, it has been lusted after ever
since, appearing on teenage boys' bedroom walls, grown men's garages and
in movies like the "Austin Powers" series, where it served as the
international man of mystery's Shaguar. More than three decades since
the XKE went to cat heaven, its spirit lives on in a new breed of sleek
Jaguar coupes and convertibles. The latest Jaguar XK-Series maintains
classic design cues like the oval grille, but adds a thoroughly modern
all-aluminum body and high-tech features designed to better defend
Britain against German competition.
2008 Jaguar XK-Series XK Convertible
After 22 years of the unloved Jaguar XJS, the XK name and spirit were
revived in the late '90s with the stunning XK8 coupe and convertible.
Powered by an all-new 290-horsepower V8, it was quick and capable of
keeping up with the best of the sub-$100,000 luxury coupe rivals of the
time. As its 10-year life wore on, however, the competition predictably
began to surpass the XK8 and the high-performance XKR in terms of
refinement and comfort.
For 2007, the
Jaguar
XK ditched the "8" in its name and dusted off several layers of
old-school Jaguar heritage to reveal an all-new, more modern coupe and
convertible. Sharing components with the XJ sedan's aluminum structure,
the XK is lighter and more rigid -- actually 50 percent stiffer -- than
the old XK8, Jag says. Its interior is a drastic departure from the
typical Jaguar look, with a modern dashboard design featuring a more
intuitive control layout. The biggest interior change is the
availability of alloy trim in lieu of wood – although some may argue
that a Jag without wood is like Tom Selleck without the mustache.
Current Jaguar XK-Series
The new
Jaguar
XK and supercharged XKR are available as a two-door coupe and
convertible. The standard XK comes with a 4.2-liter V8 churning out 300
hp and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the XKR's supercharged version
of the same engine pumps out 420 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. Both
models come standard with a six-speed automatic with
steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for automanual control. Jaguar's
old "J-gate" shifter has finally been replaced with a new design that
could perhaps be called a Backwards L Gate or Upside-Down 7 Gate.
The XKR adds sportier interior trim, 19-inch wheels (versus 18s), a
firmer suspension, retuned steering, larger front brakes and exterior
modifications like an aluminum mesh grille. The XK's standard stability
control program is reprogrammed for the XKR to allow the driver more
leeway and the option of shutting it off completely.
In road tests and reviews, we've found the regular Jaguar XK to be a
little disappointing in terms of acceleration; the coupe's 0-60-mph time
of 6.4 seconds is about a second slower than some competitors' times.
Both XKR models are expectedly much quicker, going from zero to 60 mph
in 4.9 seconds. When driving calls for something other than a straight
line, both XKs display impressive composure through high-speed sweeping
turns. On tighter roads, though, they lack a nimble feel. One final
aspect to consider before a purchase would be reliability. In the three
XKs we drove, we discovered electrical gremlins involving the
touchscreen interface that operates navigation, stereo and climate
functions.
Past Jaguar XK models
They say cats have nine lives and quite appropriately, it takes a long
time for Jaguar coupes and roadsters to die. The XKE survived from
1961-'74 before being replaced by the very different XJS, which
languished in mediocrity for 22 years before being mercifully put out of
its misery. By comparison, the 10-year-old XK8 was practically a
kitten when it was replaced by today's XK.
The 1997
Jaguar
XK8 debuted in coupe and convertible body styles, with the XKR
arriving in 2000. The standard 290-hp 4.0-liter engine was Jaguar's
first-ever V8 and only the fourth all-new engine in its history. We
were impressed with its low-end torque and found that it accelerated
from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. We also thought it was "a hoot to
drive" with effortless acceleration, precise steering and a supple
suspension.
Inside, the XK8 featured a classic Jaguar look with lots of Connolly
leather and walnut trim. Although it began to look antiquated later in
life with unintuitive controls and subpar materials, in the retro-crazed
late '90s, it was certifiably chic. The car's cramped interior
dimensions and small trunk were never in style, however.
In 2003, the Jaguar XK-Series engine was upgraded to 294 hp and 303
lb-ft of torque (from 284 lb-ft), sending the coupe from zero to 60 in
6.1 seconds – which is better than the current model. That year also saw
a new six-speed automatic and more than 900 other mostly minor
changes, none of which touched the still-attractive sheet metal. After
that, the XK8 prowled about through 2006 without any significant
updates.
The high-performance XKR featured a supercharged version of the
4.0-liter V8, making 370 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 mph in
the coupe was accomplished in 5.1 seconds. The 2003 revisions also
applied to the XKR, including a power boost to 390 hp and 399 lb-ft of
torque.
Prior to the XK8, Jaguar offered the XJS coupe and convertible. The
latter appeared in 1989, replacing the odd "Cabriolet" model, which
featured a Jeep Wrangler-esque retractable roof that maintained the
window frames. By 1990, a 262-hp 5.3-liter V12 was the standard engine.
It was briefly replaced in 1993 by a 4.0-liter inline-6 making only 219
hp, but a new 278-hp, 6.0-liter V12 emerged in 1994 to complement the
standard six-cylinder. A four-speed automatic replaced the ancient GM
TH400 three-speed auto in 1993. In 1992, a new head- and taillight
design debuted.
The XJS was actually heavier than today's XK, making it all the more
slow, ponderous to drive and generally undesirable. Also, with its
1970s-era interior and Jaguar's notoriously poor reliability from this
era, used-car shoppers should avoid the XJS as if it were a rabid cat in
heat.
