If the Brits made a Mustang
Do not be fooled by the title. I say this with the utmost respect for Jaguar products. The Ford Mustang is a legend, an icon in its own right and is revered by automotive enthusiasts regardless of their background, heritage or preferences. The XK is also a legend, an icon and a storied car from a historically important manufacturer.
The Mustang hit the stage in 1964 ½ and the American car scene has never been the same. There were ups and downs (Mustang II anyone?) and since 2005, the Mustang is in its rightful place as the perfect touring Pony car. The Jag XK's origins date as far back as 1948 with the near-mythical XK120. In 1961, the XK was replaced by the ultra-sexy world-famous E-Type. The younger crowd will remember the XJ from the mid-sixties from the posters that covered the walls of their bedrooms. The XK returned in 1996 but the oval shape was lost on me. However, since 2006, the XK has also re-established itself as a sexy, sleek and desirable near-exotic car. So you see, they could be considered as distant cousins... altough one wear Armani and the other, Levis.
What a body!
How do you describe a car that is so easy on the eye and so mouth
wateringly beautiful without using some slightly obscene words? This is a family show after all. As best as I can put it, the Jaguar engineers and designers (including Ian Callum of Aston Martin fame) have managed to stretch and wrap the aluminium chassis with some very evocative body panels. The best view from ¾ back with the top down. The rear haunches look like a miniskirt being pulled down by its owner to hide the knees. The rest of the car, headlights, hood, doors, trunk and optional 20" wheels look good enough to stare at until the sun goes down. The only item that throws me is the power antenna that would be more at home on a mid-eighties American sedan.
The one thing that struck the most about the car is its size; it is really big. I remember seeing the Aston Martin V8 at car shows and thinking that it was a nice compact coupe and I can also recall looking at and sitting in the XK. When I took possession of the Jag, I could not get over how long it was, much larger than the V8. It really does not matter in the end but if you do see one on the road, measure it up and see if you feel the same way. Maybe I am just crazy or over-worked.
Opulence: Jaguar interior
The moment I stepped or, better yet, dropped into the car, I was surrounded in some of the nicest materials I have ever seen. The poplar wood veneer was simply crackling with life and the softgrain leather, sumptuous. The dashboard, covered in stitched leather that is second to none in craftsmanship. Its ergonomics are simple and direct and Jaguar gets away with (thankfully) not offering a complex menu system like i-Drive. Every command is accessible through the touch-screen menu and all items are easily accessible.
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| 2007 Jaguar XK Convertible (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The Mustang hit the stage in 1964 ½ and the American car scene has never been the same. There were ups and downs (Mustang II anyone?) and since 2005, the Mustang is in its rightful place as the perfect touring Pony car. The Jag XK's origins date as far back as 1948 with the near-mythical XK120. In 1961, the XK was replaced by the ultra-sexy world-famous E-Type. The younger crowd will remember the XJ from the mid-sixties from the posters that covered the walls of their bedrooms. The XK returned in 1996 but the oval shape was lost on me. However, since 2006, the XK has also re-established itself as a sexy, sleek and desirable near-exotic car. So you see, they could be considered as distant cousins... altough one wear Armani and the other, Levis.
What a body!
How do you describe a car that is so easy on the eye and so mouth
 |
| 2007 Jaguar XK Convertible (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The one thing that struck the most about the car is its size; it is really big. I remember seeing the Aston Martin V8 at car shows and thinking that it was a nice compact coupe and I can also recall looking at and sitting in the XK. When I took possession of the Jag, I could not get over how long it was, much larger than the V8. It really does not matter in the end but if you do see one on the road, measure it up and see if you feel the same way. Maybe I am just crazy or over-worked.
Opulence: Jaguar interior
 |
| 2007 Jaguar XK Convertible (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |