#02#The XK is not the most crucial model for Jaguar in terms of commercial success; the models following it have that dubious honour, but it will be a very good indication of what is in store. For Jaguar to return to happy times and instil some confidence in enthusiasts and buyers alike this car needs to be good.
Time has been kind to the
outgoing XK. It's almost 10 years old, but its appearance has aged well, until now at least. The new XK dates it instantly. Allegedly penned with inspiration provided by the actress Kate Winslet, the new XK is truly beautiful. Spending time walking around the car and drinking in the looks is well worth it. From nose to tail it verges on perfection. The small boot lip spoiler and strange electric aerial are the only blemishes on its voluptuous form.
There is more than a hint of Aston Martin in the shape (indeed many people mistook it for an Aston during our time with the XK), but this is no bad thing. The peculiar bulbous rear end of the old car has gone and the proportions are now spot on. In a class such as this where looks are crucial its beauty will be enough to set many cheque books fluttering. Compare the Jag to the
BMW 6 Series for example and in pure looks stakes the BMW is embarrassed into defeat.
These wonderful looks would be to no avail if the rest of the car hadn't been improved, but fear not; all of our reservations about the old car have been addressed. At the rear, a conventional lift back replaces the boot, offering increased accessibility and practicality, as well as more space. The cabin offers more room with improved access to the more generous rear seats particularly welcome.
The interior is very good indeed. Quality is excellent and the extra breathing space and improved layout is appreciable. The electrically adjustable and heated leather front seats are supportive and comfortable and the rears are usable (albeit for shorter journeys) by adults, unlike those in the previous car. The majority of minor controls are accessed via the touch screen interface that works well and is fairly intuitive, requiring the minimum of button presses and head scratches to work through, even at first acquaintance. This may be a real clincher for those who find BMW's I-drive too much to handle.
#p##01#
For me, there are two negatives with the new XK. The steering wheel is much like the item we moaned about in the
£25k X-Type; in a £60k XK it looks plain wrong, in this colour at least. The surround for the satnav screen is oddly cheap as well. Two areas where small amounts of money appear to have been saved perhaps as a false economy.
On the road, the XK is a revelation. It drives with an ease and composure that belies its size. The ride quality is very good indeed, even on the 20-inch rims fitted to our test car, eliminating the majority of road imperfections with zero fuss. This isn't at the expense of handling prowess either; there is some roll, but the body control is excellent and the grip levels are high. The steering is perhaps a little light, but direct and accurate nonetheless.
The revised 4.2-litre V8 is a fine engine boasting excellent manners and adequate power. I say adequate due to the fact that the XK maybe isn't as fast as some would expect. Where as 300bhp is enough to provide fine cruising and good on paper figures of 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds on the way to the electronic limit of 155mph, bear in mind that there are hot hatch upstarts capable of replicating these figures. It's swift enough for everyday use, for sure, but you do have to work it hard to get the best from it. Those seeking ultimate performance would find more available (at a lower price) in a BMW 650i. For individuals that want the ultimate, the XKR should suffice.
Even at idle, the rumble from the exhausts sounds marvellous, and the V8 revs with alacrity, offering more aural pleasure as it does so. We discovered it's one of the new breed of cars that sounds much better outside than it does within, which is a bit of a shame but very much in keeping with its GT role. The six-speed 'box shifts almost imperceptibly when left to its own devices, with the wheel-mounted buttons offering a more intimate experience should you wish to choose your own cog. A long-legged sixth helps give a deeply impressively refined cruise and also benefits economy. During a long test week we once achieved 350 miles on a single tank of fuel, which is a good result given the big cat's bulk. The optional active cruise control fitted to the test car was an excellent addition that proved a real boon.
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Overall, the new XK is a great car. The small detail lapses such as the retracting aerial and the steering wheel are small, and easily fixed, quibbles. The rest of the package is fantastic and more than enough to give the BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz SL some serious competition. The 6 Series outperforms the XK, but many will find more than enough compensation in the looks, ride and cosseting cross-continent cruising capability. The SL is a significant, and hard to justify, amount of extra cash.
This is a huge step in the right direction for Jaguar. For the brand to lift itself out of the shadow of rising debts, the quality of the execution of this new XK needs to be carried over into other models, perhaps most crucially the new XF due later this year. As it is the XK puts the Jaguar marque back where it should be; making good looking, comfortable, accomplished and above all desirable cars. It's been a while coming, but was well worth the wait.
2007 Jaguar XK UK range overview
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Jaguar XK Coupe: £59,995
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Jaguar XK Convertible: £65,995
- Jaguar XKR Coupe: £67,495
- Jaguar XKR Convertible: £73,495
