Wednesday 22nd January 2014

New Jaguar XK models added

The Jaguar sports car that isn't an F-Type gets some more kit and dynamic tweaks

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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.

Mmm, contrast stitching

The 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.

[hondansx]

Looks great. Seems odd that the bigger brother is cheaper - or is it a case of the F Type being too expensive...

[anonymous-user]

hondansx said:

Looks great. Seems odd that the bigger brother is cheaper - or is it a case of the F Type being too expensive...

I think it is probably because it doesnt have long left! Id guess that the replacement will be bigger and more expensive and go baiting Aston Martin

[kambites]

MonkeyMatt said:

hondansx said:

Looks great. Seems odd that the bigger brother is cheaper - or is it a case of the F Type being too expensive...

I think it is probably because it doesnt have long left! Id guess that the replacement will be bigger and more expensive and go baiting Aston Martin

As far as I can see, whatever Jaguar claim, the F-type is basically a replacement for the XK (how many people use the rear seats anyway?); the new XK will presumably be markedly bigger, more expensive and even more GT-ish than this version.

Or perhaps fairer to say that the F-type and new XK will sit roughly equidistant either side of the current XK.

[Gorbyrev]

To my eyes that still looks amazing.

[Axionknight]

The red car in the picture at the top of the article still looks stunning to me - I can't believe these things are knocking on for eight years old, to my eyes they've always looked smart and fresh.

Good deals to be had if this is some sort of swan song???

[smilo996]

Extending its life and getting every last possible sale before they replace it. Any rumours as to when that will be. it is the last of the old Jags.

[HeMightBeBanned]

I still think the XK looks great, although the 'hotter' versions of the XKR with the frontal addenda that gives them a mouth like a catfish aren't quite so lovely.

I'd gladly have a 5 litre XK8 on my driveway as an everyday proposition. It will age very well as the styling and proportions are pretty timeless. I don't much care that the basic car is getting a bit leggy. If it still looks and drives right and makes you feel good, who cares?

[anonymous-user]

smilo996 said:

Extending its life and getting every last possible sale before they replace it. Any rumours as to when that will be. it is the last of the old Jags.

Was it not the first of the 'new' Jags?

[LuS1fer]

Beautiful car and a worthy complement to the F-Type.

Now if they could just make the XF look like this.

[npf20]

Axionknight said:

The red car in the picture at the top of the article still looks stunning to me - I can't believe these things are knocking on for eight years old, to my eyes they've always looked smart and fresh.

Jaguar are remarkable that way. Their designs often even look better after several years. Hard to think of another manufacturer that achieves this so consistently.

[andyxxx]

I don't like the look of it now and didn't 8 years ago.
It lacks 'class'
It looks more dated than the first gen XK8 (that I have always liked and seems to look better by the year)

[soad]

Gorbyrev said:

To my eyes that still looks amazing.

Makes you want one.

[Krikkit]

MonkeyMatt said:

smilo996 said:

Extending its life and getting every last possible sale before they replace it. Any rumours as to when that will be. it is the last of the old Jags.

Was it not the first of the 'new' Jags?

Indeed it was - they were still selling the X350 alongside this car before the XF and new XJ came in. Lovely cars, and still look great today imo.

[Dunclane]

I've just checked on Drive the Deal and there's £6k to be had off the Signature and nearly £8k off the Dynamic R!

[BRMMA]

I think the XKR at 70k is good value, shame the rear seats are unusable otherwise it would give it some clear distinction from the F-Type

[300bhp/ton]

Since when is 8 years old for a production platform???? You folks at PH Towers not taking your meds again...

[ewenm]

BRMMA said:

I think the XKR at 70k is good value, shame the rear seats are unusable otherwise it would give it some clear distinction from the F-Type

It'll be interesting to see if Jaguar replace the XK with a proper 2+2 so having a model range F-Type (2-seater), new XK (2+2), XF (4), XJ (4 Lux). If the new XK isn't a proper 2+2 it's hard to see where the differentiation will be from the F-Type.

[forzaminardi]

It is thoroughly outclassed now in terms of looks and performance by its smaller stablemate, but it's still a very desirable car.

[dukebox9reg]

Sales have increased massively for the XK recently. People go in looking for a F-Type and go hang on I can get the same engine in that slightly bigger more usable car for how much less...

[Kong]

andyxxx said:

I don't like the look of it now and didn't 8 years ago.
It lacks 'class'
It looks more dated than the first gen XK8 (that I have always liked and seems to look better by the year)

I thought it looked ok 8 years ago but the facelift finishes it off nicely. The opposite of the Aston V8V in my view which started off as perfection but they've added too much tinsel over the years.