Jag shows off lighter and faster XK coupe
Jaguar has released pictures of its latest attempt to better the shape of its legendary XKE two-seater, and while the 2007 XK Coupe and its aluminum body fall short of that goal, it's still a great looking car.
The car that will debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September and go on sale next spring is also supposed to be a lot better as a car rather than a design statement than the great looking version of the XK that's been on the world's roads since 1996.
Mike Cross, Jaguar's chief engineer, explains that the new model is "light and agile" and accelerates faster and stops quicker than the previous steel-bodied model, and has "exceptional dynamic abilities" to boot.
"The XK may be the epitome of sporting elegance," says Cross, "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."
Cross says "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."
As a result, Cross maintains, "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."
By far the most important thing about the 2007 XK is that it will use the aluminum body structure and rivet bonding techniques that debuted on the current XJ sedan, since that reduces weight, which benefits acceleration, handling and fuel economy. The new coupe is expected to weigh 1,665 kg, which is about 120 kg lighter than the current model.
Combine the familiar 4.2-litre V-8 (300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque) with the reduced weight and a new six-speed automatic transmission and you end up with a coupe that will do 0 to 100 kmh in a shade over six seconds and turns a quarter-mile (0.4 km just doesn't have the same magic) in 14.4 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds more than the current model takes with the supercharged version of the V-8.
Jaguar has also managed to make the new Jaguar 31 percent stiffer than the current XK, which will have positive affects on noise, ride smoothness, and handling.
Jaguar design director Ian Callum describes the XK as having "lean lines, a purposeful stance and exquisite proportions," all of which are in keeping with the brand's mystique.
"The fundamental values of Jaguar design do not change," says 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 (the founder of Jaguar) own designs were in their day."
Jaguar has released pictures of its latest attempt to better the shape of its legendary XKE two-seater, and while the 2007 XK Coupe and its aluminum body fall short of that goal, it's still a great looking car.
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| 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe (Photo: Jaguar Cars) |
Mike Cross, Jaguar's chief engineer, explains that the new model is "light and agile" and accelerates faster and stops quicker than the previous steel-bodied model, and has "exceptional dynamic abilities" to boot.
"The XK may be the epitome of sporting elegance," says Cross, "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."
Cross says "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."
 |
| 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe (Photo: Jaguar Cars) |
By far the most important thing about the 2007 XK is that it will use the aluminum body structure and rivet bonding techniques that debuted on the current XJ sedan, since that reduces weight, which benefits acceleration, handling and fuel economy. The new coupe is expected to weigh 1,665 kg, which is about 120 kg lighter than the current model.
Combine the familiar 4.2-litre V-8 (300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque) with the reduced weight and a new six-speed automatic transmission and you end up with a coupe that will do 0 to 100 kmh in a shade over six seconds and turns a quarter-mile (0.4 km just doesn't have the same magic) in 14.4 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds more than the current model takes with the supercharged version of the V-8.
 |
| 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe (Photo: Jaguar Cars) |
Jaguar design director Ian Callum describes the XK as having "lean lines, a purposeful stance and exquisite proportions," all of which are in keeping with the brand's mystique.
"The fundamental values of Jaguar design do not change," says 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 (the founder of Jaguar) own designs were in their day."