Faster, Lighter, Stronger, Better and More Beautiful
When the current generation XK appeared on the sports car scene nearly a decade ago, it marked a return of a Jaguar sports car full of feline grace - something that seemingly skipped over the middle-generation XKS. Ten years down the line, and we're faced with a new Jaguar sports coupe, one
that Jaguar has put to market with some of the most impressive technological advancements, showing that Jaguars are more about being serious road cars than merely classy motor vehicles to head down to the country club in.
The upcoming XK replacement, once again dubbed XK, is a big cat, complete with grand-touring dimensions, but make no mistake it's not fat. The new car weighs in at 1595 kg, about 100 kg lighter than the previous generation. Much of the weight reduction is to do with an aluminum-intensive construction, made possible by new technologies founded by Jaguar and its suppliers. The car has an aluminum monocoque structure, similar to the one established for Jag's latest XJ full-size sedan. The manufacturing process takes a cue from the aircraft industry, where the extruded and cast structure is assembled with rivets and epoxy. Body panels are pressed aluminum. Not only is the car lighter, it's more rigid by 31 percent. As we've seen with the XJ, the transition to aluminum has made a crucial step forward for class-leading handling and road manners.
On the surface, the new XK is very similar to the ALC concept which foreshadowed it. Head stylists Ian Callum attempted to convey years of rich heritage through the latest XK, while keeping it modern and contemporary, cutting back on the feline shape. Unlike the XJ which has been criticized for being too retro, the historical influences here are subtle such as the hood-long power bulge, oval grille and hatchback - the last of which has been missing since the E-Type. While the aperture is narrow,
and the trunk's volume is small, the double-hinged hatchback that moves away from the operator's head is an improvement on practicality. Gone are the lengthy overhangs, and flat hood, giving the new XK a tauter looking skin, while new-shaped headlamps and tail lamps take this sports coupe in a new direction for Jaguar.
Adding to the standard crumple zones, and side impact protection, this latest Jaguar also is the first full-size sports coupe to focus on pedestrian protection. EuroNCAP crash testing mark's a car's performance for both occupant and pedestrian safety. Its impact on the industry is so great, it's forced manufacturers to re-style their cars, leading bluntly-shaped noses - many of which aren't pretty. Jaguar's solution was to introduce the world's first active pedestrian protection, a system that props the upper half of the hood within milliseconds of an impact to soften and reduce head injuries to a pedestrian. It'll save countless lives, all while keeping the XK's lines beautiful.
When the current generation XK appeared on the sports car scene nearly a decade ago, it marked a return of a Jaguar sports car full of feline grace - something that seemingly skipped over the middle-generation XKS. Ten years down the line, and we're faced with a new Jaguar sports coupe, one
 |
| We're faced with a new Jaguar sports coupe, one that Jaguar has put to market with some of the most impressive technological advancements. (Photo: Jaguar) |
The upcoming XK replacement, once again dubbed XK, is a big cat, complete with grand-touring dimensions, but make no mistake it's not fat. The new car weighs in at 1595 kg, about 100 kg lighter than the previous generation. Much of the weight reduction is to do with an aluminum-intensive construction, made possible by new technologies founded by Jaguar and its suppliers. The car has an aluminum monocoque structure, similar to the one established for Jag's latest XJ full-size sedan. The manufacturing process takes a cue from the aircraft industry, where the extruded and cast structure is assembled with rivets and epoxy. Body panels are pressed aluminum. Not only is the car lighter, it's more rigid by 31 percent. As we've seen with the XJ, the transition to aluminum has made a crucial step forward for class-leading handling and road manners.
On the surface, the new XK is very similar to the ALC concept which foreshadowed it. Head stylists Ian Callum attempted to convey years of rich heritage through the latest XK, while keeping it modern and contemporary, cutting back on the feline shape. Unlike the XJ which has been criticized for being too retro, the historical influences here are subtle such as the hood-long power bulge, oval grille and hatchback - the last of which has been missing since the E-Type. While the aperture is narrow,
 |
| Unlike the XJ which has been criticized for being too retro, the historical influences here are subtle. (Photo: Jaguar) |
Adding to the standard crumple zones, and side impact protection, this latest Jaguar also is the first full-size sports coupe to focus on pedestrian protection. EuroNCAP crash testing mark's a car's performance for both occupant and pedestrian safety. Its impact on the industry is so great, it's forced manufacturers to re-style their cars, leading bluntly-shaped noses - many of which aren't pretty. Jaguar's solution was to introduce the world's first active pedestrian protection, a system that props the upper half of the hood within milliseconds of an impact to soften and reduce head injuries to a pedestrian. It'll save countless lives, all while keeping the XK's lines beautiful.