2007 Jaguar XK Convertible Debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show

Protection against rollovers is provided by pop-up hoops which only activate if an eminent rollover is detected. (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

For the most part, the XK Convertible is identical to the XK Coupe, with the same nose, tail and elegant midsection. Where things differ is at the convertible roof, which takes on different styling than the Coupe. The triple-fabric top, which is able to raise or retract in a mere eighteen seconds, features a square glass rear window canted at a more upright angle, that to my eyes isn't as pleasing as the Coupe's sweeping fastback. Less emphasis is put on the bulging rear haunches in the Convertible. Protection against rollovers is provided by pop-up hoops which only activate if an eminent rollover is detected.

Power for the XK Convertible is provided by a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 motor that generates 300-horsepower. Performance of the open-topped version is nearly identical to the pace set by the hardtop XK: 100 km/h is attained in a tick over six seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Initially, this will be the only engine offered, mated to a six-speed automatic, although the supercharged 400-horsepower XKR will be offered sometime down the road. There's a possibility that Jaguar will introduce diesel power for the XK too, although it may be a few years down the road as the automaker's current production straight-six diesel doesn't fit. Of course, it is highly unlikely a diesel-powered XK will make it to North America.

The XK Convertible is probably the more important of the two Jaguars offered, and will play a critical role in preventing the luxury marque's sales

The XK Convertible is probably the more important of the two Jaguars offered. (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

from further decline. In the U.S., one of Jaguar's largest markets, the soft-top XK accounts for a massive 83 percent of total XK sales. Elsewhere, the drop-top is just as important, as it outsells the fixed-head version by a significant margin.

Look for the next-generation XK to arrive in showrooms early in 2006, with the convertible version arriving a few months later. Pricing will be set somewhere between 80,000 and 90,000 euro ($116,000 - $130,500 CAD, $98,000 - $110,500 USD).