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| Road Test: Jaguar XK (2006-) |
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| Exotic Sports |
by: Gavin Conway |
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Jaguar XK (2006-) Gallery
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| PERFORMANCE RATING: |
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The new XK's 4.2-litre V8 develops 300bhp at a rather high 6,000rpm and 303lb-ft of torque at an equally peaky 4,100rpm. As a consequence, the XK feels just a tad sleepy when the revs are low - tyre-smoking, low-speed performance is just not on offer.
That's a bit disappointing, because this Jag offers up a simply wondrous engine noise. In fact, Jaguar engineers have gone to quite extraordinary lengths to ensure that the experience for both occupants and outside observers is first-rate. Ironically, the company describes the engine note as being that of a 'classically British sports car'. It's not: it's classically American, with a woolly woofle at low revs and then the most perfect NASCAR snarl as the engine speed races to redline. Beautiful.
The performance experience is enhanced no end by the latest generation of Jaguar's six-speed automatic transmission, which features Bosch Mechatronic (isn't that a marvellous word) adaptive shift. This means that in automatic mode, the system senses how you're driving and adapts the shift pattern to suit - which means if you're driving very hard, it'll hold onto gears to avoid any upsetting mid-corner upshifts, as well as shifting down earlier to ensure that you stay in the right bit of the rev range for press-on driving. In manual mode, the shifts are lightning-quick and we love that little blip of throttle as you shift down (it does that in auto mode, too).
For the record, the XK coupe will get to 60mph in 5.9secs and on to a top speed limited to 155mph. The convertible manages 60mph in 6.0secs and the same top end.
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Introduction This new XK is lighter, faster and roomier than the car it replaces... |
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