The XK series of 'grand tourers' is a successor to Jaguar's original XK sports cars. Resurrected in 1996, the XK replaced the aged XJS luxury coupe with a car more fitting of the XK nameplate: a pretty coupe or convertible with (optional) big engines driving the rear wheels.Ten years after its revival, Jaguar brought fans of the XK8 and XKR a new, high-tech take on the XK, proving that they can keep a good thing going.
Debut (Concept): 2005 North American International Auto Show (Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe)
Debut (Production): 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show (2006 Model Year coupe) ; 2006 North American International Auto Show (2006 MY convertible)
Lost in translation: Unfortunately, consumers lost the stand-out center-mounted exhaust, LED mirror-mounted turn signals, and the designer front air intakes.
But we got to keep: The concept's lightweight aluminum construction, a "minimalist" interior, the cutesy Baby-J shifter. The production model even retained that out-of-its-price-range cool hatch and trunk's floor rails.
Designer: Ian Callum and his team
Fun fact: Jag's latest XK is the first Jaguar to have wheel-mounted shift paddles, which have become an industry-wide option.
Did you know?: The new XK also debuted a world-first: its Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet System (PDBS). The system uses explosive charges to lift the car's hood away from the engine block if the vehicle senses someone's been hit. "The hood's sheet metal cushions the impact better than the solid engine block." I'll take their word for it.
Changing the game: For 2011, Jaguar improved its street cred when it comes to high-performing GTs with its XKR-based Speed Pack and Black Pack. The Speed Pack raises top speed to 174 mph (280 km/h), and the Black Pack provides blacked-out trim and side tape. Decals on a Jag? Why not.
Where is it now? The XK has been updated with nothing less than a third-generation, 385 horsepower direct-injection 5.0 liter AJ-V8 under the hood, while the range-topping XKR received a supercharged version of the same engine with 510 ponies.
