The all-new XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, powerful, ground-breaking sports cars, but behind its stunning looks, the all-new XK bristles with practical, intuitive, modern technology, clearly focussed on enhancing the driving experience. It delivers significant improvements in performance, dynamics, safety, exterior and interior design and equipment and it will launch with all the quality expected of a brand which is making great progress in independent quality audits. When it is launched in early 2006, this first of the next generation of Jaguars will signal the next exciting step for Britain’s most evocative car company.

By starting with a blank canvas, Jaguar was able to make use of the latest aerospace technologies alongside more traditional Jaguar skills to create a luxurious, powerful, highly advanced sports car. A major key to the all-new XK’s character is Jaguar’s industry-leading aluminum monocoque body structure, introduced with the latest XJ sedans.

With this unique high-tech construction method, the all-new XK’s bodyshell is 31 percent stiffer than the previous steel XK and significantly offers a 10 percent improvement in power to weight ratio. The all-new XK is up to 90 percent stiffer and 397lb lighter than key rivals, with a kerb weight of just 3671lb.

In the words of Jaguar’s Chief Engineer Mike Cross, in charge of developing the
all-new XK’s vehicle dynamics, "What the team has looked to engineer is a sports car with true all-round ability. That means it must be fast, outstandingly agile, and truly exciting to drive. It has to go quickly, stop quickly, and do everything in between in the way a Jaguar should. Yet it’s also a rational choice - the all-new XK will deliver a balance of superb driving dynamics and relaxed comfort that is the epitome of sophisticated sporting luxury."

All-new Jaguar XK at a glance

All-new Jaguar XK 2+2 sports car.

First of a new generation of beautiful, fast Jaguars.

The most technically advanced Jaguar ever made.

Succeeds the Jaguar XK range introduced in 1996.

Advanced all-aluminum construction allows a lightweight yet incredibly stiff and strong car.

Intuitive controls and driver-focussed technologies such as Keyless Entry and a push button starter enhance driver enjoyment.

Spacious, elegant sports car cabin exemplifies Jaguar craftsmanship, luxury and quality.

Launched with latest generation naturally aspirated 4.2-liter Jaguar V8 engine, developing 300bhp (SAE).

New Jaguar Sequential Shift 6-speed automatic transmission system incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes.

Reaches 60mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds and completes quarter mile sprint in 14.4 seconds – less than 0.5 seconds off the pace of the previous 390bhp supercharged model.*

Electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

The latest in entertainment with the option of an Alpine Dolby Pro-logic II 525 watt surround sound system and Sirius satellite radio.

Standard Bluetooth® wireless technology for mobile phones on all models.

On sale from early 2006. Pricing will be confirmed closer to sale, although the XK will be highly competitive in the luxury sports car segment.

Convertible model will also be available – details later this year.
*Manufacturer provisional test figures

Design

You only have to look at the all-new XK to know that this car is a giant leap forwards. The handsome, powerful looks are clearly a continuation of the style of the Advanced Lightweight Coupe concept first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2005.

The use of beautiful lines and clean surfaces was crucial in defining the all-new XK’s more sporting character. In design director Ian Callum’s words, "The fundamental values of Jaguar design do not change – not even since Sir William Lyons created the first Jaguar all those years ago. The entire design team worked with those values as we looked to create a car with clean lines, a purposeful stance and exquisite proportions. We took influences from our heritage and evolved them to produce a car that is beautiful, visually fast yet undeniably modern; just as Sir William’s own designs were in their day."

In one respect the all-new XK actually has more in common with earlier cars like the original XKs and the C, D and E-types than it does with the most recent XK, and that is the way in which the shape wraps much more tightly around the mechanical underpinnings. The way the well-toned skin stretches more tautly over the structure is timelessly modern, disciplined, sophisticated, and easy on the eye.

The all-new XK is visibly more assertive and sporting than the model it replaces, but in true Jaguar tradition it is also elegant and understated. It has classic, ground-hugging coupe proportions, with a long hood, steeply raked windscreen and rear window, arch-filling wheels, and minimal overhangs. The front-wing power vents are a new Jaguar styling signature; the distinctive oval grille opening, prominent hood power-bulge and practicality-enhancing rear liftback door all echo the E-type; while details like the sweeping front and rear light shapes and powerful stance establish Jaguar sports car design firmly in the 21st century.

Inside as outside, the all-new XK features clean, simple, modern lines. It uses traditional craftsmanship and contemporary luxury materials like finely stitched leather, contrasting with a choice of more high-tech trim surfaces including metallic finishes. The layout is driver-focussed and sporty, with excellent ergonomics and body-hugging seats, set low against the high waistline to give a strong ‘cockpit’ feel. With the all-new XK’s longer wheelbase, wider tracks and taller roofline, the 2+2 layout has more interior space than the XK that it replaces. Indeed this spacious sports car leads the luxury coupe class in terms of front legroom and shoulder room and boasts a 20mm increase in front seat headroom over the previous Jaguar XK coupe.

Inside the cabin the minimalist instrument cluster houses two prominent round dials either side of an advanced high-resolution colour display based on thin-film transistor technology. This 256-color display is split into several zones showing vital information such as gear selection, cruise control information, low tire pressure warnings and satellite navigation instructions, dependent on market. A centrally mounted 7-inch touch-screen allows intuitive selection of climate, audio, navigation, telephone and vehicle personalization settings.

A host of new driver aids have been introduced to make the all-new XK’s interior the most welcoming cabin imaginable. The Jaguar Smart Key System, for example, provides keyless start and keyless entry simply by carrying the Jaguar Smart Key in your pocket, case or bag.

Lightweight Vehicle Technology

While the first striking impression of the all-new XK is delivered by its looks, its real essence is in what lies under the skin. The most far-reaching engineering feature in the all-new XK is its use of Jaguar’s Lightweight Vehicle Technology, the all-aluminum architecture which was introduced with the latest generation XJ sedan.

It is unique in the industry as a complete aluminum monocoque body structure as distinct from an aluminum spaceframe with separate aluminum exterior panels. Developed from aircraft industry methods, where strength and light weight are critical, Jaguar’s manufacturing process produces a massively strong but very light structure that is both riveted and epoxy-bonded.

The new XK takes the Lightweight Vehicle concept a step further with extended use of lightweight aluminum castings and extrusions as well as pressed aluminum panels. Its strength and light weight come from both the way the bodyshell is constructed, and the use of new jointing technologies developed by Jaguar and its suppliers.

The all-aluminum rear liftback door is strong, light and simple to operate. It pivots on two hinges ensuring the edge of the liftback moves away from the operator’s head as the lid is raised. It also provides excellent rear visibility for the driver – rare in the sports coupe field.

Beyond the exceptional body integrity and built-in deformation zones, the all-new XK is also available with a host of other safety solutions for protecting pedestrians as well as car occupants. Those include the shape and construction of the bumpers and hood, where great attention has been paid to the shape and positioning of air-intake openings to help protect against pedestrian lower-leg injuries.

With lower weight and higher strength, Lightweight Vehicle Technology is the starting point for improved performance, safety, refinement, fuel economy, emissions and driving dynamics. Russ Varney, Chief Programme Engineer, Sports Range, explains how a ‘no compromise’ mentality was applied when it came to engineering the ultimate grand tourer: "As a team we worked from day one to ensure that the all-new XK delivered on every target set for the vehicle. In the case of the aluminum monocoque body structure, it delivers great advantages in terms of weight and strength and we were determined to use those benefits to produce a sports car with a blend of stunning vehicle dynamics and outstanding comfort."

Powertrains

From launch the all-new XK will be powered by Jaguar’s renowned naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine which produces 300bhp (SAE). This compact, lightweight, high performance AJ-V8
engine is based on that fitted to the latest generation XJ sedan and has undergone significant development compared with the engine used in the previous XK family, including new fuel-injection technology. The latest 4.2-liter engine satisfies Euro 4 emissions requirements as well as the most stringent US emissions regulations, ensuring it meets ULEVII status – an improvement over the previous generation XK8 coupe which was certified as LEVII.

The naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 develops maximum torque of 310 lb ft SAE at 4,100rpm. Again, the spread of torque is an important ingredient in the XK’s effortlessly sporty character, and this engine delivers more than 85 percent of maximum torque from 2,000 to 6,000rpm. Yet it still offers fine fuel economy over the outgoing XK8 coupe and low emissions figures, with a drop in CO2 emissions of 6 percent over the previous model*.

The naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 XK coupe has a (limited) maximum speed of 155mph and 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds, plus instant throttle response and broad flexibility across the range. With the new XK’s weight savings, the 4.2’s standing quarter-mile time of 14.4 seconds is less than half a second off the pace of the previous supercharged XKR coupe*.

For the first time in a Jaguar, drivers will be able to use steering wheel-mounted paddles to change gear with the new Jaguar Sequential Shift transmission. In either Drive or Sport Manual modes, very fast shifts are achieved by combining the use of one-touch paddles with an automatic blip of the throttle from the drive-by-wire engine management system during downshifts. Thanks to this positive torque enhancement control, the shifts are faster and more responsive than before, regardless of the mode selected.

The XK’s six-speed ZF transmission introduces a new generation of automatic gearshift for Jaguar, replacing the familiar ‘J’ gate with the new Jaguar Sequential Shift system with Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Sport modes. The fully automatic Drive mode adapts to individual driving styles, while a Sport Auto mode can also be selected. This offers a more responsive pattern, utilising the automatic blip of the throttle to maintain ultra-smooth shifts.

*Manufacturer provisional test figures

Technology

The all-new XK has a completely new braking system, tested extensively over many hundreds of laps at the gruelling Nürburgring test track in Germany where Jaguar has a dedicated research facility. The result is greater braking power and more responsive feedback to the enthusiastic driver. Larger, ventilated discs contribute to better pedal feel, optimum stopping distances and resist fade during extended use. The system also includes four-channel ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Assist to increase brake pressure during an emergency stop, and Jaguar’s Electronic Park Brake function.

Unlike conventional digital ABS systems used on many cars, the all-new XK’s ABS system can vary the brake pressure at each wheel using analogue valves in the hydraulic control unit. This gives more refinement to the hydraulic pressure control and allows drivers to benefit from increased steering input during heavy braking. The all-new XK’s Bosch Servotronic 2 steering is also adapted for a sports car from the XJ sedan, to give easy low-speed manoeuvring with optimum high-speed feedback under all conditions.

The all-new XK also includes a host of other safety features designed to empower rather than overpower the driver. These include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, run-flat tires, Jaguar’s Protec dynamic headrest system to protect against whiplash injuries, Forward Alert which uses the optional Adaptive Cruise Control system’s forward-facing sensors to scan the road ahead 10 times every second to warn of a potential collision, and the new switchable TRAC DSC Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System.

A new active front lighting system is also offered as an option on the XK, enhancing the bi-xenon intelligent lighting that is standard on the car. This feature provides enhanced visibility in the dark during cornering by swivelling the dipped beam lens depending on road speed and the angle at which the steering wheel is turned.

Conclusion

Like any of the great Jaguar sports cars of the past fifty years and more, the all-new XK pushes the boundaries of sports motoring. It is the most technically advanced Jaguar ever, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. It is lighter, faster and better equipped than the model it replaces, with substantial improvements in performance, dynamics, braking, safety and economy.

Being a Jaguar, it combines the comfort, style and craftsmanship of a luxuriously equipped grand tourer with the driving dynamics of a true sports car. It captures the unique joy of driving that Jaguar drivers expect. In the finest Jaguar tradition, it is a truly beautiful, fast car, with advanced engineering and fine craftsmanship. It offers style, comfort and luxury. But it also keeps true to what sports car motoring is really about – and that is the undiluted thrill of driving.