#02#The Mercedes-Benz SL simply
owns the high-end sports-luxury coupé/cabriolet segment. As well it should, what with its superb folding top and classic elegance. Changes for 2007 have sharpened the handling without crucifying the ride and the new 5.5-litre V8 is a belter. It's best though that the Germans don't rest on their laurels, because the latest Coventry cat has the Benz beat in several areas.
First off, despite accusations of Aston-lite styling from some members of the media (what, can there be too
many beautiful cars?), it really does work in the metal; especially the muscular rear haunches and detail work. And it's also tens of thousands less than the equivalent SL. Where the Jaguar XK really moves the game on though is in chassis comportment and transmission tech.
The six-speed automatic is so well sorted that it makes any desire for a robotised manual (a la
BMW) or three-pedal car more or less vanish. Perfectly slushed shifts in the auto mode (which can be overridden at any time with the wheel-mounted paddles) are complemented by an amazing 'Sport' program that rips off amazingly intuitive upshifts at speeds that'll match the latest twin-clutch systems. Rev-matched downshifts will have the driver using the paddles just to hear the rorty bent-eight bark from the twin pipes.
This split personality - wafting luxo-ride or hairy-chested sportster - is the XK's greatest strength and really shines through in the ride-handling balance. This is the goal of any car that claims to be a GT, yet no other has achieved it like the Jaguar, at a semi-affordable price that is.
#p##03#
A wonderfully damped ride - in fact, better than almost any contemporary executive car - combines with well-judged, feelsome steering and a rigid aluminium chassis to provide tactile rewards at profiling pace and at ten tenths. Body control is exemplary and the intuitive responsiveness of the XK so rewarding that one wonders if corporate parent Ford really did worry about offering most of the DB9 goodness for half the price.
Of course, now that Aston Martin is on the block, the folks in Dearborn are free to move Jaguar to the top of the totem pole. If the XK is any indication of what we can expect from the new S-Type and forthcoming XJ replacement, Jaguar may be able to regain its historical heritage of offering class-leading driving experiences at a value price.
Jaguar XK UK range overview
- Jaguar XK Coupe: £59,995
-
Jaguar XK Convertible: £55,995
- Jaguar XKR Coupe: £67,495
- Jaguar XKR Convertible: £73,495
