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Jaguar is proud to announce a new era in its sports car lineage – the all-new XK. The focus of the all-new XK is firmly on the future and heralds a new era for Jaguar in terms of both design and engineering. The all-new XK is the most technologically advanced Jaguar ever.
The XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, athletic sports cars. Beneath its stunning exterior, the XK bristles with practical, intuitive, modern technology, clearly focussed on enhancing the driving experience. It delivers significant improvements in performance, dynamics, safety, quality and equipment.
Jaguar began XK's development using the latest aerospace technologies
alongside more traditional Jaguar craftsman skills to create a luxurious, highly
advanced sports car. The extensive structural use of aluminium results in many
essential positives. The XK’s bodyshell is 31 percent stiffer than the previous XK’s
and offers a significant 10 percent improvement in power-to-weight ratio. The XK is as much as 90 percent stiffer and 180kg lighter than key rivals, with a kerb weight of just 1595kg.
ALL-NEW JAGUAR XK AT A GLANCE
On sale from mid 2006 in Australia. XK Roadster model will also be available
*Manufacturer provisional test figures
DESIGN
Beautiful lines and clean surfaces visually define the all-new XK. In Jaguar 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."
The way the well-toned skin stretches tautly over the structure is modern, sophisticated, and athletic. The all-new XK is visibly assertive, and in true Jaguar tradition the all-new XK is also elegant and understated. It has classic, ground-hugging coupe proportions, with a long bonnet, 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 bonnet 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.
The interior and exterior pose clean, modern lines. The design uses traditional craftsmanship and contemporary luxury materials like finely stitched leather, contrasting with a choice of high-tech trim surfaces including metallic finishes. The layout is driver-focussed and sporting, with excellent ergonomics and body-hugging seats, set low against the high waistline to give a strong ‘cockpit’ feel.
The all-new XK's longer wheelbase, wider track and taller roofline better accommodate the 2+2 layout with more interior space. The all-new XK leads its class in 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 a high-resolution colour display based on thin-film transistor technology. This display is split into several zones showing vital information such as gear selection, cruise control information, low tyre pressure warnings and satellite navigation instructions, depending on market. A centrally mounted seven-inch touch-screen allows intuitive selection of climate, audio, navigation and telephone settings.
Amongst the user-friendly advanced technologies in the all-new XK is the Jaguar Smart Key System, which provides keyless start with a push-button starter, and also optional keyless entry simply by carrying the Jaguar Smart Key in your pocket 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-aluminium architecture that was introduced with the latest generation XJ saloon.
It is unique in the industry as a complete aluminium monocoque body structure, as distinct from an aluminium spaceframe with separate aluminium 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 aluminium castings and extrusions as well as pressed aluminium panels. Its remarkable 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-aluminium 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 – 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 bonnet, plus a completely new technology, the pedestrian deployable bonnet. This is deployed upwards away from its rear edge, in milliseconds, in the event of a pedestrian impact. This forms a safety zone between the bonnet and the engine and other under-bonnet hard areas to reduce significantly the potential for injuries.
With lower weight and higher strength, Lightweight Vehicle Technology is the starting point for improved performance, safety, refinement, economy, emissions performance 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 aluminium monocoque body structure, it delivers great advantages in terms of weight and strength and we were determined to utilise those benefits to produce a sports car with a blend of stunning vehicle dynamics and outstanding comfort."
POWERTRAINS
The all-new XK is powered by Jaguar’s renowned naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 engine producing 224kW. This compact, lightweight engine has undergone significant development compared with the engine used in the previous XK, including new fuel-injection technology. The latest 4.2-litre engine satisfies Euro IV emissions requirements as well as stringent US emissions regulations.
The 4.2-litre V8 develops maximum torque of 411Nm at 4100rpm. 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 2000 to 6000rpm. Yet it still offers fine fuel economy and low emissions figures, with a drop in CO2 emissions of 6 percent.*
Delightful to drive, the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 XK coupe is electronically speed limited to 250km/h and impressively quick from 0 to 100km/h – timed at 6.2 seconds. Shedding 90kg and greatly improving torsional rigidity have enhanced the all-new XK's agility. The all-new XK responds quickly to throttle and the V8 offers broad flexibility for punchy performance across the range.
For the first time in a Jaguar, drivers are 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 gear 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. The shifts are quicker and the transmission is more responsive regardless of the mode the driver has selected.
The XK’s six-speed 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 an even more responsive shift strategy, also utilising the automatic blip of the throttle to maintain ultra-smooth gear shifts.
*Manufacturer provisional test figures
TECHNOLOGY
The all-new XK has an entirely new, high-performance braking system. The result is greater braking power and more useful feedback to the enthusiast driver. Jaguar tested and punished the braking system extensively over many hundreds of laps at the gruelling Nürburgring test track in Germany, where Jaguar has a dedicated research facility.
Larger, ventilated discs contribute to better pedal feel, optimum stopping distances and resist fade during extended hard use. The braking 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 the driver to benefit from increased steering input during heavy braking.
The all-new XK’s Servotronic 2 steering is adapted for a sports car from the XJ saloon, to give easy low-speed manoeuvring with optimum high-speed feedback under all conditions.
Beyond the exceptional new pedestrian impact safety systems, the XK also includes a host of other safety features. These include the option of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and run-flat tyres, Jaguar’s Protec dynamic headrest system to protect against whiplash injuries, Forward Alert which uses the optional Adaptive Cruise Control’s forward-facing sensors to scan the road ahead 10 times every second to warn of a potential collision, and the new switchable Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System (Trac DSC).
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 higher speed cornering by swivelling the dipped beam lens depending on road speed and the angle at which the steering wheel is turned.
CONCLUSION
As have the great Jaguar sports cars of the past half century, the all-new XK firmly pushes the boundaries of sports motoring. The all-new XK 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, agility, braking ability, occupant and pedestrian safety, and quality.
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, the product of advanced engineering and fine craftsmanship. It offers style, comfort and luxury. But it also keeps true to what sports car motoring is about – and that is the undiluted thrill of driving.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CHASSIS
Monocoque: Riveted and bonded aluminium
ENGINE
Cylinders/valves per cylinder: 8/4
Bore/stroke: 86/90.3mm
Capacity: 4196cc
Maximum power: 224kW at 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 420Nm at 4100rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic.
Jaguar Sequential Shift with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
PERFORMANCE (subject to confirmation)
0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h, electronically limited
EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS
Length: 4791mm
Width: 2070mm (incl. mirrors)
Height: 1322mm
Wheelbase: 2752mm
Kerb weight: 1595kg