The Jaguar XK soldiers on into its eighth year then. Do you remember seeing these on an '06' numberplate? Anyway, Jaguar hopes to reignite some interest in its senior sports car with a couple of new models.
Cheaper than an F-Type; will anyone care?
Of most interest to PH is the XK Dynamic R. With the same 510hp as the standard XKR, it gets the Black Dynamic Pack which adds 'suspension and dynamics' from the
XKR-S
including a stiffer steering knuckle, uprated springs and dampers plus a recalibrated Adaptive Dynamics system for quicker response. Moreover, it sits 10mm lower than the normal
XKR
. The standard Speed Pack increases the top speed from 155mph to 174mph and adds some new aero tweaks outside without being quite as outlandish as the R-S. But a standard performance exhaust should ensure you don't go entirely unnoticed.
Inside the Dynamic R there are 'Diamond Sewn Performance' seats with contrast stitching. Jaguar's pics don't show how these lovely new pews look in the XK's interior, perhaps because it probably looks a bit old now. Just admire that stitching.
XK
Signature gets the plain old 385hp NA V8 and 'additional luxury features' including 20-inch wheels and 'Canvas Suedecloth headlining'. Again, there are plentiful mentions of interior luxury ('Figured Ebony veneers' anyone?) without any pics.
However, those nagging concerns about the XK's age can be slightly overlooked when the price is considered. The XK Dynamic R costs £69,950 as a coupe and the XK Signature £54,950. Both are available as cabrios too. For a 510hp V8 coupe that still cuts something of a dash (from the outside at least), that seems something of a bargain even before any negotiations. The Maserati GranTurismo, itself only a year younger than the XK, costs £82K in 405hp 4.2 V8 form.