The New Jaguar XK
January 9, 2006
JAGUAR ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW 2007 XK COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE PRICING
Jaguar North America today announces the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the all-new 2007 XK Coupe and Convertible.
Engineered
to exceed the high demands that consumers rightly expect from a Jaguar
sports car – complete with advanced aluminum chassis, sophisticated
transmission and exquisite exterior and interior design – the all-new
2007 XK Coupe will be priced from $75,500 (USD) and the 2007 XK Convertible
will be offered from $81,500 (USD). (Prices include destination and
delivery charges.)
"The 2007 XK
is a significant new sports car from Jaguar," says CJ O'Donnell,
executive vice president Sales and Marketing, Jaguar North America.
"It represents the very best in terms of modern engineering coupled
with exquisite Jaguar design and we're confident the all-new XK will
attract a very loyal following in North America ." 
The
launch of the all-new Jaguar XK marks an exciting new era for Jaguar
in terms of both design and engineering, and reinforces the marque’s
reputation for building beautiful, fast cars that are as rewarding to
drive as they are gorgeous to look at.
All-new Jaguar XK key points
All-new Coupe and
Convertible Jaguar XK, each designed as a 2+2 sports car
First of a new generation of beautiful, fast Jaguars
The most technologically-advanced Jaguar ever
Succeeds the Jaguar XK range introduced in 1996
All-aluminum construction assists best-in-class torsional rigidity in
Coupe form. In convertible form, there is a 50 percent improvement in
stiffness over the previous XK Convertible
All-new XK is lighter than its predecessor, with Coupe and Convertible
curb weight at 3,671 lbs (1,665 kg) and 3,759 lbs (1,705 kg) respectively
In Convertible form the Body-in-White weight, at just 633 lbs (287 kg),
is 19 percent lighter than the previous XK Convertible
Lightweight body offers a 10 percent improvement in power-to-weight ratio
Delivers a balance of superb performance, driving dynamics and Jaguar
sophistication
Intuitive controls and driver-focused technologies –Keyless Entry, Keyless
Start and available Active Front Lighting – enhance driver enjoyment
Spacious, elegant sports car cabin exemplifies Jaguar craftsmanship, luxury
and quality
Launched with latest generation naturally aspirated 4.2-liter Jaguar AJ-V8
engine, developing 300bhp SAE
AJ-V8 engine developed to satisfy ULEV II emissions requirements and features
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
New Jaguar Sequential Shift 6-speed ZF automatic transmission system incorporates
steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes
XK Coupe reaches 60mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.2
seconds) and completes quarter mile sprint in 14.4 seconds – less than
half a second off the pace of the previous 400bhp supercharged model*
XK Convertible takes just 6.0 seconds to reach 60mph (0-100 km/h in 6.3
seconds) – 0.3 seconds quicker than the previous model*
XK Coupe accelerates from 50-70mph (81 - 113 km/h) in just 3.1 seconds
– 0.2 seconds quicker than the previous model (Convertible XK also 0.2
seconds quicker from 50-70mph at 3.2 seconds)*
Electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250 km/h)*
Convertible roof operates electrically in less than 18 seconds to be stowed
below lightweight aluminum tonneau cover*
*Manufacturer provisional test figures
September 14, 2005
JAGUAR REVEALS ALL-NEW
XK CONVERTIBLE
All-new
2007 XK Convertible will go on sale in North America alongside the recently
announced XK Coupe in spring 2006
Following the World Premiere of the XK Coupe, Jaguar is proud to announce that it will be joined by the all-new XK convertible.
From the outset Jaguar knew it needed to create a convertible version of the XK and designed and developed it in parallel with the Coupe. The XK Convertible uses the same advanced aluminum body structure technology to achieve excellent body rigidity and torsional stiffness while minimizing weight: at just 3759lbs the new Convertible is one of the lightest cars in its competitive set.
A 300bhp (SAE), 4.2-liter V8 engine and Jaguar Sequential Shift steering-wheel-mounted gear change controls ensure rapid performance of 0-60mph in just 6.0 seconds (0-100kmh in 6.3 seconds) and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh)*.
The
luxurious triple-lined, fabric roof - which can be powered up or down
in less than 18 seconds – when retracted it stows fully out of
sight beneath an aluminum tonneau cover. A roll-over protection system
comprising two 'hidden' aluminum hoops that deploy in the event of an
incident is standard on all XK Convertibles.
"The all-new XK was designed from the outset to be a beautiful convertible. It is a statement of confident Jaguar design, elegant as well as powerful and with the performance and driving dynamics to match its looks", commented Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum.
The XK Convertible will be available from spring 2006. Full details of the car and pricing will be announced later this year.
The XK Convertible
is manufactured and assembled in a state-of-the-art production facility
at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant in the West Midlands region of the
United Kingdom. 
September 13 2005
THE ALL-NEW JAGUAR
XK PREMIERES WORLD - FIRST DEPLOYABLE BONNET SYSTEM
All-new XK Deployable Bonnet Systemable
bonnet animation
• Jaguar Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet is a world first
• System operates in less time than it takes to blink
• Advanced Sensing system can distinguish between different impacts
• Over 120 man years dedicated to system development
• Bonnet is raised in around 30 milliseconds using forces up to 50 times the force of gravity
In
an era of safety conscious motoring, Jaguar has managed to combine beautiful,
fast sports car design with the latest pedestrian impact technology
to create a world first with the all-new XK. Today at the Frankfurt
motorshow Jaguar engineers premiered the Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable
Bonnet System (PDBS) a state-of-the-art advanced safety feature.
Within the 'blink of an eye' In the unfortunate event of a pedestrian impact, the deployable bonnet on the new XK automatically ‘pops’ up a few inches, to create a cushioning effect between the engine and the bonnet. This helps to isolate the pedestrian from hard points in the engine compartment - and takes place in less than a tenth of the time it takes to blink an eye.
Jaguar is one of the first manufacturers to meet Phase One of new European safety legislation using an active deployable bonnet system. The new standards are designed to help mitigate the severity of injuries to pedestrians in the event of a collision with a car.
Legislation in the European market requires manufacturers to commit to a two-phase introduction of a range of active and passive safety improvements on all new cars to improve the protection of pedestrians in case of accident.
'The Jaguar design team embraced the idea of using a deployable bonnet when it was first considered during early concept discussions on the new XK. This clever feature saves between 50 and 65mm in height off the bonnet surface and a similar amount off the roofline, allowing the design team to maintain a very low, sleek Jaguar sports car profile on the new XK.' said Ian Callum, Jaguar Cars Design Director.
The Jaguar Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet provides an innovative solution to these legislative requirements whilst ensuring that the sleek lines that customers expect from Jaguar sports cars can be retained. The active system fitted to the all-new XK is complemented by a passive bumper system, the design of which helps to mitigate leg injury through the use of crushable foam and plastic covering. An advanced sensing system is mounted in the front bumper to help discriminate between a pedestrian collision and any other possible front-end collisions. The speed of the sensing time in the system is around one tenth of the time it takes to blink an eye.
Phil Hodgkinson Jaguar Programmes Director said: 'I take technology development at our product development centres very seriously and I am proud to be working with Jaguar engineers that can deliver this kind of safety system, which we believe to be a world-first. The fact that it also allows us to stay true to Ian Callum's core Jaguar design values is equally satisfying.'
The complex system has been extensively researched across wide-ranging scenarios, using 120 man-years and thousands of computer simulations, as well as tested in practice at Jaguar’s Engineering Centre at Whitley in Coventry, England. While all pedestrian impact research has been carried out using virtual tools, analysis of previous 'real world' incidents has played an important part in the development process.
One of the impressive points about the new XK's pyrotechnic deployable bonnet system is that it can lift the bonnet (which weighs 18kg) in around 30 milliseconds, which requires an acceleration rate of about 50 times the force of gravity (50g).
Physical research carried out by the Jaguar development team has included investigation of various impacts including inanimate objects such as motorway cones. This is a vital part of the process to allow the system to differentiate a person from other impacts that can be experienced in day-to-day driving.
The Jaguar pyrotechnic pedestrian deployable bonnet system normally operates at vehicle speeds where it provides the most benefit and is automatically disabled outside of this speed range. The system is completely separate from any other crash protection system on the vehicle, including airbags.
'The Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet in the all-new XK is a leading safety technology that goes hand in hand with an advanced Jaguar sports car, sitting alongside a beautifully crafted luxury interior, aluminium technology and scintillating, dynamic performance.' said Russ Varney, Chief Program Engineer for the XK series.
September 12 2005
THE ALL-NEW JAGUAR
XK IS UNVEILED AT THE FRANKFURT AUTO SHOW
INTRODUCTION
Jaguar
is proud to announce a new era in its sports car lineage – the all-new
XK. Like all great Jaguar sports cars, the focus of the all-new XK is
firmly on the future, while acknowledging the marque’s rich history.
It heralds a new era for Jaguar in terms of both design and engineering,
and it is the most technically advanced Jaguar ever built.
The all-new XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, powerful, ground-breaking sports cars, but behind its stunning looks, it 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 product quality. When it is launched in early 2006, this first of the next generation of Jaguars will become the sporting flagship of the Jaguar brand.
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 aluminium monocoque body structure, introduced with the latest XJ saloons.
With this unique high-tech construction method, the all-new XK’s bodyshell is 31 percent stiffer than the previous XK’s and significantly offers a 10 percent improvement in power to weight ratio. The all-new XK is up to 90 percent stiffer and 180kg lighter than key rivals, with a kerb weight of just 1595kg.
In the words of Jaguar's Chief Engineer Mike Cross, in charge of 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 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 and technologically advanced Jaguar ever
• Succeeds the Jaguar XK range introduced in 1996
• All-aluminium construction forms a lightweight, incredibly stiff, strong car
• All-new XK lighter than its predecessor and key rivals, at 1595kg kerb weight
• Delivers a balance of superb performance, driving dynamics and Jaguar sophistication
• Intuitive controls and driver-focussed technologies – such as keyless entry, push button start and active lighting – enhance driver enjoyment
• Spacious, elegant sports car cabin exemplifies Jaguar craftsmanship, luxury and quality
• Launched with latest generation naturally aspirated 4.2-litre Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, developing 300bhp (224kW) SAE / 298PS (219kW) EEC
• 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 half a second off the pace of the previous 400bhp supercharged model*
• Top speed of 155mph (electronically limited)
• On sale from early 2006, with prices announced at the beginning of the year.
• Convertible model will also be available – details will be announced 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 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."
In one respect the all-new XK arguably 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 more tightly around the mechanical underpinnings. The way the well-toned skin stretches tautly over the structure is timelessly modern, sophisticated, and easy on the eye.
The all-new XK is visibly more assertive and sporting than the model it replaces – a future classic in its own right. 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.
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 sporting, with excellent ergonomics and body-hugging seats, set
low against the high waistline to give a strong ‘cockpit’ feel. With
a longer wheelbase, wider track and taller roofline, the 2+2 layout
has more interior space than the XK that it replaces. Indeed this flagship
coupe leads its 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 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 7-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
From launch the all-new XK will be powered by Jaguar’s renowned naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 engine which produces 300bhp SAE (298 PS EEC). This compact, lightweight engine is based on that fitted to the latest generation XJ saloon and 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 4 emissions requirements as well as stringent US emissions regulations.
The 4.2-litre V8 develops maximum torque of 303 lb ft (411Nm) EEC 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% of torque all the way from 2,000 to 6,000rpm. Yet it still offers fine fuel economy and low emissions figures, with a drop in CO2 emissions of 6 percent.*
The naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 XK coupe has an electronically limited maximum speed of 155mph and a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds, plus instant throttle response and broad flexibility for punchy performance across the range. With the all-new XK’s weight savings, the new naturally aspirated 4.2’s standing quarter-mile time of 14.4 seconds is less than half a second off the pace of the previous supercharged 4.2 XKR.*
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 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. Thanks to this positive torque enhancement control, the shifts are faster and more responsive than before 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 fully automatic 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 a completely new, high-performance 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 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 drivers 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
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, driving 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, 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 Body Riveted and bonded aluminium
ENGINE Cylinders/valves per cylinder 8/4 Bore/stroke – mm 86/90.3 Capacity – cc 4196 Maximum power – SAE bhp (kW) 300 (224) EEC PS (kW) 298 (219) @ rpm 6000 Maximum torque – SAE lb ft (Nm) 310 (420) EEC lb ft (Nm) 303 (411) @ rpm 4100
Transmission 6-speed automatic. Jaguar Sequential Shift with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
PERFORMANCE (subject to confirmation) 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) - seconds 5.9 (6.2) Top speed – mph (kph) 155 (250) electronically limited
DIMENSIONS Length – mm 4791 Width – mm 2070 (incl. mirrors) Height – mm 1322 Wheelbase – mm 2752 Kerb weight – kg 1595
August 26 2005
JAGUAR UNVEILS ALL-NEW
XK SPORTS CAR
Britain's
newest and most beautiful sports car is coming to North America. Jaguar
North America today reveals details of its eagerly anticipated new sports
car – the all-new 2007 Jaguar XK.
Making its world premiere next month at the Frankfurt International Auto Show in Germany, the all-new Jaguar XK will go on sale in North America next spring as a 2007 model year product.
The all-new Jaguar XK is the first of a new generation of cars that reflect the best of everything that Jaguar is associated with – from gorgeous, contemporary design to renowned craftsmanship and quality, alongside the latest driver-focused technologies – and, of course, exhilarating performance.
Light and agile, the all-new Jaguar XK accelerates faster, stops quicker than the previous generation, steel-bodied XK8 and has exceptional dynamic abilities, as Jaguar's Chief Engineer Mike Cross, explains: "The XK may be the epitome of sporting elegance but it is also a true driver's car in which we have managed to combine a very special balance of superb driving dynamics and comfort."
Traditional Jaguar craftsmanship elements have been retained on the all-new Jaguar XK, but it's the use of aerospace technologies that have resulted in the most technically advanced Jaguar production car ever created.
One
of the key elements of the all-new Jaguar XK is the use of latest technologies
including Jaguar’s industry-leading aluminum body structures and rivet
bonding techniques, both recently introduced in the construction of
Jaguar's full-size XJ sedan. Both techniques make the XJ sedan significantly
lighter and stronger than its competitors, which benefits handling and
fuel economy.
Jaguar design director Ian Callum describes the XK as having 'clean lines, a purposeful stance and exquisite proportions'.
"The fundamental values of Jaguar design do not change," explains Callum. "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 Lyon's (Jaguar founder) own designs were in their day."
The all-new XK is manufactured and assembled in a state-of-the-art production facility at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich plant in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom.
ALL-NEW JAGUAR XK AT A GLANCE
All-new Jaguar XK
2+2 sports coupe
First of a new generation of beautiful, fast Jaguars
The most technologically advanced Jaguar production car ever
Succeeds the previous Jaguar XK coupe/convertible range introduced in
1996
All-aluminum construction forms a lightweight, incredibly stiff and
strong car (31% stiffer than the previous generation steel-bodied XK)
All-new XK coupe is lighter than its predecessor and key rivals, at
3671 lbs curb weight
Delivers a balance of superb performance, driving dynamics and Jaguar
sophistication
Intuitive controls and driver-focused technologies – such as keyless
entry, push button start and active lighting – enhance driver enjoyment
Spacious, elegant sports car cabin exemplifies Jaguar craftsmanship,
luxury and quality
Launched with latest generation naturally aspirated 4.2-liter Jaguar
'AJ-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 half a second off the pace of the
previous 390bhp supercharged model*
Top speed of 155mph (electronically limited)
On sale from spring 2006, with prices announced at the beginning of
the year
Convertible model will also be available – details will be announced
later this year
 |
 |
|
June 10 2005
During June Jaguar dealers in the UK were shown the new XK that is scheduled to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The first deliveries will take place early in 2006. By all accounts the car will feature the 4.2 and 4.2 supercharged engines.
These photos show the finished car in all its glory without any camouflage. Whilst the front is similar to the Advanced lightweight coupe the rear shows a design feature reminiscent of the E type coupe, namely a tailgate. Obviously this will give easy access to the rear luggage area.
 |
 |
 |
February 22 2005
ADVANCED
LIGHTWEIGHT COUPE POINTS TO JAGUAR'S FUTURE 
Jaguar
is using the North American auto show 'circuit' to gather key customer
feedback on its stunning Advanced Lightweight Coupe concept. After its
world debut at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit,
the Advanced Lightweight Coupe took center stage at this month's Chicago
auto show. In March, it makes a stop at the New York International Auto
Show. "The reaction from potential customers has been sensational. They
tell us they want it, and want it now," says C.J. O'Donnell, Executive
VP of Marketing, Sales and Communications, Jaguar North America. 
Created by the Jaguar advanced design team in Coventry, England under the watchful eye of renowned Design Director, Ian Callum, the sensuous 2+2 show car features lightweight aluminum body architecture similar to the one pioneered with the new XJ sedan. "Auto shows provide us with invaluable feedback from literally thousands of potential customers. Everyone has a viewpoint on what they like or don't like about the car," explains Callum. Laid out in a classic 2+2 sports car format, the interior of the Advanced Lightweight Coupe is more spacious and better packaged than any previous Jaguar sports car. Rich, hand-stitched tan leather and aluminum inserts give the cabin a modern, contemporary feel. "The Advanced Lightweight Coupe represents the very essence of Jaguar, its heart and soul. If you want to know what lies ahead for us, what direction we will take - this is Jaguar's answer," said Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars. "Its design is assertive and pure - a perfect symbol for our 21st century cars. And beneath that beautiful body lies the heart and soul of a true Jaguar," adds Greenwell.
January 11 2005
JAGUAR ADVANCED
LIGHTWEIGHT COUPE MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
AUTO SHOW
The
Advanced Lightweight Coupe is not just a show car. It is a company personified.
Like the iconic Jaguar XK120s and E-types that preceded it, the Jaguar
Advanced Lightweight Coupe heralds a new generation of stunning sports
coupes and saloons; cars that will remain true to Jaguar’s illustrious
past but more importantly will see the company leaping confidently forward
into the future.
Created by Jaguar’s advanced design team under the watchful eye of renowned
Design Director Ian Callum, this high-performance show car is indicative
of more than just the company’s evolving design direction – the Advanced
Lightweight Coupe represents the future of Jaguar, as an ambassador
for a marque whose reputation was founded on beautiful and dynamic sports
cars.
The Advanced Lightweight Coupe is a physical expression of Ian Callum’s direction for the next generation of Jaguar cars which, like this 2+2 show car, will have purposeful and seductive exteriors that bring Jaguar design firmly into the 21st century. And with the lightweight aluminium body architecture technology that was introduced with the new XJ saloon, in production form the Advanced Lightweight Coupe would be as dynamic and agile as it is desirable.
“This company has had many ground-breaking moments,” says Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars. “The XK120 was a ground-breaker and of course the E-type and XJ6 saloon in the 1960s helped to change the face of motoring. These were events in automotive design history that have stood the test of time and I would like to think that we will look back on the Advanced Lightweight Coupe as another of those moments in Jaguar’s lineage.”
Jaguar Cars Managing Director Bibiana Boerio concurs:
“This show car is a rallying call for Jaguar lovers the world over, who appreciate sporting luxury. We want them to know that we are committed to a product-led transformation of this company that will see us making Jaguars with great design and wonderful interiors that are fast, glamorous and evocative. A new Jaguar sports car is always an important event and we absolutely believe that the Advanced Lightweight Coupe demonstrates that the direction we are taking is the right one.”
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Design Director Ian Callum’s vision for the next generation of Jaguars is clearly expressed in the Advanced Lightweight Coupe show car. Its exterior lines are beautiful yet powerful – a confident blend of curves highlighted by muscular detail, resulting in a car that could only be a Jaguar.
“I firmly believe that Jaguars should appear powerful as well as elegant,” Callum says. “Look back at the great cars from our past and you will see that they were as muscular and taut as they were subtle and curvaceous. That’s what confident Jaguar design is all about.”
This belief stems from Callum’s first sighting of the original Jaguar XJ6 saloon in the 1960s; an event that he describes as “the moment the penny dropped” when it came to his understanding of car design.
“As soon as I saw the XJ6 I realised what creating a beautiful car was all about,” he says. “It was a perfect example of what designers call proportion and stance, which simply means how a car sits on the road. The XJ6 was so structured and confident it was like nothing else – its wheels appeared huge, almost out of proportion to its body, and they were visually right at each corner of the car. It really looked as if it was hunkered down on the road.”
Those principles have remained with Callum ever since and played a pivotal role in the design of his previous Jaguar show cars, the R-Coupe and R-D6. Now the Advanced Lightweight Coupe continues that theme, but in an exhilarating sports car that has the visual agility to match its performance potential.
Echoing the lessons learnt from the XJ6, the show car’s distinctive stance and bold profile give it genuine visual dynamism – an effect that Callum describes as the car appearing to change shape in front of you.
The Advanced Lightweight Coupe’s distinctive tapering shape at both the front and rear means there appears to be no overhang beyond the wheels, giving the car a very exciting presence and a real sense of power and potency. When that is combined with beautiful surfaces that run across the entire bodywork you have the key ingredients for a sports car that gives a concise and clear statement about the look of future Jaguar models.
As Jaguar Cars Managing Director Bibiana Boerio explains:
“This car takes our coupe design onto another level. It is muscular without being over the top – a naturally honed athlete. Just like its predecessors, we believe the next generation of Jaguars should be different from anything else in the marketplace. We are not trying to copy our rivals because we have our own path to take. We know what that path is and we are showing the way.”
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Creating a sports show car that conveys the remarkable heritage of Jaguar with integrity while projecting the marque forward into the future was not a simple challenge. Ian Callum and his design team passionately debated how the Advanced Lightweight Coupe would strike that balance before settling on this stunning design.
Every curve of the bodywork and rise and fall of each surface is deliberate, concise and calculated. There is no design for design’s sake on the car, no extraneous sculpture or unnecessary surfacing; a point that Callum believes will separate future Jaguars from other cars.
“Nothing is superfluous on this car,” he stresses. “If you point at any part of the bodywork it is there for a specific reason or because it simply can’t go any further in. We have produced a skin that is drawn taut across the chassis; one that covers the bare essentials underneath and nothing else – that’s how a sports car body should be formed.”
The car rides on unique 21-inch alloy wheels with custom-made Pirelli tyres, which sit below wide, flowing haunches. The rear haunch is of particular note, its prominent shoulder helping to exaggerate the size of the wheels relative to the body. With the visual mass of the cabin also drawn back towards the rear haunch the car appears to be moving forward even when it is standing still.
The grille on the show car is also of prime importance as an indicator for the look of future Jaguars. As a pure geometrical form it draws its inspiration from classic Jaguars of the past like the E-type. Additionally, features such as the polished aluminium gills reinforce the engineering integrity that is present in all Jaguars.
“When Jaguar’s revered aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer created the E-type he didn’t sculpt that car, instead he devised that remarkable shape from pure geometry – it is a series of ellipses,” says Giles Taylor, Jaguar Senior Design Manager. “By designing the E-type that way he gave it a mechanical purity that we wanted to reflect in this car’s face. That meant the grille had to be perfectly symmetrical in both a horizontal and vertical plane, and by doing that we have made a focal point from which every line can stream backwards.”
Rising from the radiator grille, a prominent bulge in the hood runs to the base of the windscreen and invokes a notion of real power beneath the skin. From there the cabin flows back in a clean, spontaneous line to the car’s rear end which tapers sharply to a focal point of two, centrally-mounted tailpipes.
The headlights are a departure from the simple elliptical lenses on current Jaguars. Instead a more contemporary, angular design gives the Advanced Lightweight Coupe an edgy look and helps to draw your eye around the corner of the car to the new chrome gills that sit behind the front wheels. These would aid engine cooling and also improve aerodynamic flow to the rear.
INTERIOR DESIGN
In keeping with the understated and contemporary feel of Jaguar’s previous recent show cars, this car’s interior is restrained yet undeniably luxurious and welcoming. The task for the interior design team was to produce a cabin that wasn’t over-powering or fussy.
“We all agreed that our interiors should be clean, simple and straightforward,” says Ian Callum. “There is an honesty about the car’s interior which I really like.”
Laid out in a classic 2+2 sports car format, the car’s cabin is more spacious and better packaged than previous Jaguar coupes, with impressive headroom and multi-directional sports front seats and individual bucket seats in the rear. The interior is trimmed throughout in a tan leather which has visible stitching on the hides that line the doors and the dashboard. Aluminium inserts are spread throughout the car to act as jewellery that accentuates the contemporary feel of the cabin. Its focal point is the central dashboard console that houses an advanced Alpine telematics screen which provides user-feedback in the form of a ‘pulse’ when you touch the on-screen buttons.
The instrument binnacle has been designed to relate to the shape of the steering wheel and houses a high-resolution screen between its dials that provides the driver with a secondary source of infotainment and satellite-navigation information. Behind the steering wheel sit the gearshift levers that operate an automatic paddleshift transmission – the first time this technology has appeared on a Jaguar. The paddles are mounted to the wheel itself, rather than the steering column, to ensure that whatever angle the wheel is held at, the driver doesn’t have to take his concentration away from the road. Just the kind of touch you’d expect in what is, first and foremost, a driver’s car.
ENGINEERING
What if we let our minds wander for a moment? What if this show car was a road-going reality? Well, the Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe would be the most potent 2+2 the company has ever created. Thanks to a technologically advanced aluminium architecture – which is around 40 percent lighter and 60 percent stiffer than a standard steel body – and renowned V8 powertrain assembly, the car would be capable of compelling performance, reaching 60mph from standstill in less than five seconds and breaking the 180mph mark at maximum velocity.
Yet it is not simply straightline speed that would make the car so notable. It would also demonstrate an agility that reaffirms Jaguar’s commitment to producing the best-handling sports coupes and saloons in the world.
“The Advanced Lightweight Coupe is the sort of Jaguar we want to build,” says Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars. “But that means we must do much more than just come up with a beautiful design, we must have the tools in place to turn that creative spark into something tangible. What people should recognise is that we have the people in place to allow this to happen. The company’s engineering team is as strong as it has ever been and this new generation of engineers is all set to follow in the footsteps of great names from Jaguar’s past.
“Today’s team, with extraordinarily talented people such as Phil Hodgkinson, Jon Carling, Russ Varney and Mike Cross, will drive Jaguar’s product direction. These are the people who will take Ian Callum’s designs and ensure that the end products are as desirable as the concept cars that precede them.”
The engineering excellence that abounds at Jaguar is reflected in this car’s impressive technical specification. An aluminium chassis similar to that used in the new XJ saloon is constructed using many of the same advanced technologies. It is not just lightweight but also incredibly strong and stiff, which is of immense benefit to a car’s handling and ride as well as fuel economy and exhaust emissions. The lighter body also means responsiveness is improved whether you are talking in terms of steering feel, traction or power delivery. Jaguar’s V8 engines are admired as much for their impressive low-down torque as their peak power outputs and with a lighter aluminium body to propel, that torque is even more noticeable.
“The next generation of Jaguars will be remarkable drivers’ cars,” says Phil Hodgkinson, Director, Product Engineering. “Whether you want to relax behind the wheel on a long journey or head out simply for the pleasure of driving there will be no need to compromise. Our cars will be the perfect blend of performance and luxury.”
Jaguar’s array of intuitive technologies – features that make life easier for the driver, not more complicated – also sit easily with the Advanced Lightweight Coupe ethos. Dynamic aids such as Computer Active Technology Suspension work in conjunction with safety systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control and the Active Restraint Technology System – all features that Jaguar already has on its production cars.
And like Jaguar’s XJ and S-TYPE saloons, this car has an adjustable pedal box to ensure that drivers are seated in optimum comfort. As with all Jaguar’s technologies these systems operate discreetly, without intruding on the unparalleled Jaguar driving experience – they are there when you need them but never impose themselves.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the Advanced Lightweight Coupe is a beautiful, fast Jaguar that is true to the brand’s past and heralds an exciting future. It combines the talents of Ian Callum and his design team with brilliant engineering expertise – a combination that will ensure every upcoming Jaguar model delivers both dynamically and visually.
“This car is as clear a statement on the strength and confidence of the company as we could possibly make,” concludes Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars. “Its design is assertive and pure – a perfect symbol for our 21st century cars – and beneath that beautiful body lies the heart and soul of a true Jaguar sports car.”
“The Advanced Lightweight Coupe marks a return to the core values of Jaguar,” says Bibiana Boerio, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars. “There is a determination in every department of this company to produce a new range of cars that provides the total Jaguar experience and this car is the first evidence of that determination.
“Aspirational and exclusive, with contemporary design and stunning performance, the Advanced Lightweight Coupe is conceived as a special car for special people. It represents the unique position that Jaguar holds in the market place – and even more it tells the world that we are set to make another bold leap forward. For Jaguar, the future begins now.”
March
12 2003
Rumour
has it that the replacement for the Jaguar XK8 will take some of its
styling and technical features from the R-type coupe. Scheduled for
launch in 2005 the replacement version of the Jaguar XK sports car will
probably be made from aluminium, according to a source in the company.
David Scholes, programme director for Jaguar’s aluminium XJ sedan who
favours the use of aluminium, declined to confirm whether a decision
had been made. But he indicated Jaguar is going strongly in that direction.
“Ideally we’d like to have another year to absorb the lessons we’ve
learned on the XJ," he said. But we probably won’t have that luxury."
The replacement for the XK8 is due sometime during the second half of
2005. Mike Beasley, retiring Jaguar managing director, said the major
debate over the use of aluminium at Jaguar would come on the next new
model after the XK. "The area where the jury is really out is the S-type,"
he said. Jaguar is part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group and aluminium
will probably feature prominently in other luxury vehicles from the
division, Scholes said. Land Rover models such as the Range Rover could
one day be made of aluminium, Scholes added. Ford, which also owns Land
Rover, is putting the British sport-utility specialist together with
Jaguar in one organisation within Premier Automotive Group. Jaguar decided
to make the new XJ out of aluminium in order to save weight. The weight
savings allowed the company to reintroduce the Jaguar XJ6, powered by
a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine - the first six-cylinder installed
in Jaguar’s flagship car since 1997. The introduction of the aluminium
XJ has been costly. Ford President Nick Scheele told reporters last
year Jaguar would lose $500 million for 2002, due to delays in getting
the body shop in Castle Bromwich, England, up and running. But Jaguar
believes the benefits will be worth it in the future. The new car is
up to 200kg lighter than the old version despite being taller, longer
and wider. Scholes said unknown factors will still play a role in future
decisions about aluminium such as the price of the lightweight metal
and the aggressiveness of the steel industry in meeting the aluminium
challenge. Metals spring back when stamped, and Beasley said Jaguar
had a lot to learn about the behaviour of aluminium during stamping.
"None of us had good enough simulations to know how aluminium would
perform in the stamping die," Beasley said. "It’s probable that
large cars will be made of aluminium," he added.
XK Registrations for sale
