Sept. 15, 2006
ON THE ROAD: Jaguar Unveils Stunning Redesigned XK Sports Car
By Richard Williamson
Scripps Howard News Service
When you see gear-shift paddles on the steering wheel of a sports
convertible like the 2007 Jaguar XK, your first thought might be: "Oh, I'm
supposed to drive this car really fast."
Unless your house fronts a sanctioned speedway, don't take the bait. With a
top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited) and 0-60 mph time of 5.9
seconds, the XK could really get you in trouble.
Equipped with a 300-horsepower V8 and sequential shift six-speed ZF
automatic transmission, the redesigned XK allows its owners to shift gears
with their thumbs, just like the drivers at Le Mans.
Blessed with a throaty growl at low speeds, the devastatingly beautiful
convertible seems to invite its captain to push the envelope. Of course, you
can also just put the floor-mounted shifter in "D" and cruise comfortably
with the top down.
Six-years after its last redesign, the new XK convertible is making the
rounds in traditional Jaguar colors of racing green with a khaki top. While
Jaguar may not rank as the financial jewel in parent Ford Motor Co.'s crown,
it continues to win the beauty pageants with room to spare.
"The fundamental values of Jaguar design do not change," said Jaguar design
director Ian Callum. "We took influences from our heritage and evolved them
to produce a car that is beautiful, visually fast yet undeniably modern."
Notable for its aluminum body, the XK convertible followed the January debut
of the XK coupe.
With a base price of (take a deep breath) $80,835, the XK convertible is a
luxury car that flirts with the exotic.
The competitive set is what the auto industry classifies as large premium
sports cars. Between 1996 and 2004, the segment worldwide has more than
doubled, from 48,000 to 99,000 cars sold per year as the number of key
competitors grew from four to seven. Among those rivals are the BMW 6
Series, Lexus SC 430, Maserati Coupe and Spyder and Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.
With a base price $6,000 higher than the coupe's, the convertible features a
triple-lined, fabric roof that can automatically open or close in less than
18 seconds. The roof is stowed beneath an aluminum tonneau cover.
While convertibles must make sacrifices in safety, the new XK comes with a
rollover-protection system with two unseen aluminum hoops that deploy in an
accident.
Like the coupe, the convertible is technically a four-seater. But the rear
"seat" is hardly that and is more suited for a sack of groceries or a small
set of luggage.
The aluminum structure makes the XK one of the lightest in its class,
improving fuel economy along the way. City efficiency of 18 miles per gallon
and highway travel of 27 mpg is quite surprising for a car this powerful. Of
course, the Jaguar does require premium unleaded, so budget about $1,714 for
a year's worth of refills.
Because of the cabin's small size, interior redesigners were somewhat
limited in what they could do with the 2007 model. But some notable changes
did occur.
The driver enjoys more foot space, with the electronic parking brake moved
to the center console. This is a very welcome development. And following the
lead of other makers, Jaguar also installed push-button ignition, with the
button on the center console. You no longer need to turn a key; simply have
the key fob somewhere in the car or in your pocket. The new XK also comes
with remote starting, allowing you to warm up the car on cold mornings or
cool it off on hot afternoons before you get behind the wheel.
There are also more interior stowage spaces. The front seats travel farther
aft, creating more front legroom.
The instrument cluster in front of the driver is designed to mirror the
shape of the three-spoke steering wheel. Thin film transistor technology
gives the instruments a very high-tech appearance. The speedometer and
tachometer dials are backlit with green backgrounds and their pointers are
illuminated with white light.
A 7-inch center-console touch screen serves as a menu-driven
information-and-control system. Operating this system takes some
preparation, so don't take off until you have it down. Touch screens can
create real visual distractions if you have not adapted to them.
The screen also displays the standard DVD-based satellite navigation system
and provides a warning system for obstacles when you are backing up.
Standard features also include dual-zone climate-control system. When the
car is driven with the roof down, the system automatically shifts the
airflow to the face vents.
Buyers can option up to a premium-quality audio system. The standard
six-speaker high-spec system supports conventional audio CDs as well as
discs containing MP3 digital files. The premium system, by Alpine, has eight
speakers, a remote six-channel amplifier, 520-watt output and Dolby Pro
Logic II Surround Sound.
Two types of leather trims are offered in three color schemes, including a
two-tone combination.
You can also choose your wood veneers: burl walnut or lighter poplar.
WHAT'S NEW: Redesign for 2007 model.
PLUSES: Styling, performance, collector value.
MINUSES: Cost, safety concerns.
BOTTOM LINE: Simply dashing.
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News Service.
