Jaguar XK

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Jaguar XK
Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Parent company	Ford Motor Company (1996-2008) Tata Motors (2008-)
Also called	XK8, XKR, XK
Production	1996–present
Predecessor	Jaguar XJS
Class	Grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout

Mark I
Also called	XK8, XKR
Production	1996–2006
Assembly	Coventry, England
Engine(s)	4.0 L AJ26 V8 4.0 L AJ26S SC V8 4.2 L AJ34 V8 4.2 L AJ34S SC V8
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	101.9 in (2590 mm)
Length	1997-2004: 187.4 in (4760 mm) 2005-06: 4775 mm (188 in)
Width	1997-2004: 1830 mm (72 in) 2005-06: 1800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1997-98 Coupe & 1999-2006 XK8 Convertible: 1295 mm (51 in) 1997-98 Convertible: 1305 mm (51.4 in) XKR Convertible: 1288 mm (50.7 in) 1999-2006 XK8 Coupe: 1283 mm (50.5 in) XKR Coupe: 1278 mm (50.3 in)
Related	Aston Martin DB7

Mark II
Also called	XK, XK 4.2, XKR
Production	2007–present
Assembly	Birmingham, England
Engine(s)	4.2 L AJ34 V8 4.2 L AJ34S SC V8
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4790 mm (188.6 in)
Width	1892 mm (74.5 in)
Height	1320 mm (52 in) XK8 Convertible: 1328 mm (52.3 in)
Curb weight	1675 kg (3700 lb)

The Jaguar XK series (XK8 and XKR) is a grand tourer produced by British carmaker Jaguar since 1996. The car was introduced in Geneva Motor Show on March 5th 1996. It is the replacement of the XJS, and is available as a coupé and convertible. Currently in its second generation, the XK8 was the first 8 cylinder vehicle produced by Jaguar, when the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine was introduced.

Contents 1 1997 1.1 Power and performance 1.2 Limited Editions 1.2.1 XKR Silverstone 1.2.2 XKR 100 1.2.3 XKR Portfolio 1.2.4 XKR 4.2-S 1.3 XKR-R 2 2006 2.1 Engines 2.2 Design 2.3 Technology 2.4 Limited editions 2.4.1 XKR Portfolio 2.5 Awards 3 References 4 External links

[edit] 1997

The 1997 XK8 (project code X100) was available in coupé or convertible body styles and with either a supercharged 370 hp (276 kW) or naturally aspirated 290 hp (216 kW) engine. The supercharged variant is known as the XKR. The first-generation XK series shares its platform with the Aston Martin DB7. Both cars are derived from the Jaguar XJS, though the platform has been extensively changed.

[edit] Power and performance

Both the XK8 and XKR are electronically limited to a maximum of 155 mph (250 km/h), lower than the top speed of its predecessor. The XK8 heralded a change in direction for the company, resulting in the S-Type and X-Type.^{[citation needed]}

Both the XK8 and XKR come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, and 19 and 20-inch wheels are available for additional cost. A navigation system and self-leveling xenon headlamps come standard with the XKR and as options for the XK8. Jaguar's Adaptive Cruise Control is an optional feature available on both models. Both come with all-leather interior, burl walnut trim, and side airbags. In 2005 the grille design of the XKR was refreshed.

[edit] Limited Editions

[edit] XKR Silverstone

Only 600 Silverstones were made, in celebration of Jaguar's return to F1 racing in 2001. It featured a Platinum paint finish, high-performance package (with the same engine as the standard XKR, but improved transmission, suspension and brakes), 20" Silver BBS "Detroit" wheels and a custom interior.

[edit] XKR 100

Built to celebrate the centenary of Jaguar's founder, 500 'XKR 100' coupés and 500 convertibles were made in 2002.^[1] The XKR 100 featured an Anthracite paint finish, Recaro seats, 20-inch BBS alloys, Brembo brakes, and custom interior.

[edit] XKR Portfolio

The convertible-only Portfolios were produced in 2004 exclusively for the US market. Of the Portfolio models, 100 featured unique Red paint with matching Recaro sports seats and interior, whilst the remaining 100 had Blue paintwork and interiors.

There is also a 2008 Portfolio model planned which will be available worldwide, featuring the most powerful brakes featured on any production-line Jaguar.

[edit] XKR 4.2-S

In Europe the 4.2-S was unveiled at Geneva on March 1, 2005. This was the last XK to be rolled out that was based upon the original 1996 design. Features for the 4.2-S Four included new exterior and interior colours and two distinct veneer options for the instrument panel, polished door treadplates with chequered-flag emblems and embossed, leather-edged floor mats. The revised white Jaguar badge on the bonnet also feature chequered accents. New 19" Atlas wheels plus cross-drilled Brembo brake discs, red wheel badges and red brake calipers were also fitted.^[2]

[edit] XKR-R

Jaguar also produced a concept car called the XKR-R which was very similar to the production XKR, but boasting a more powerful 450 bhp (340 kW) engine, a manual gearbox, a limited-slip differential and improved handling. The naming convention is similar to that of the S-Type R special edition. Unlike the S-Type R, it will never be realised on a Mk.1 XK chassis although a model of the same name could appear on the Mk.2 XK later this year.

[edit] 2006

Jaguar unveiled an all-new 2006 car (project code X150), called simply the "XK", at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005. It uses the new all-aluminium monocoque chassis developed from the 2005 Advanced Lightweight Coupé (ALC) concept car and is offered as both a coupé or convertible.

In the opposite manner to the way convertibles are traditionally designed, the coupé is based on the convertible. This meant that the engineers could design the convertible without the drawbacks of the car looking like, and actually being, a coupé with the top chopped off. It also meant that minimal additional weight was required to maintain the structural rigidity lost with the removal of the roof (1,635 kg (3,600 lb) kerb weight for the convertible versus 1,595 kg (3,520 lb) for the coupé).^[3] This makes the XK convertible exceptionally rigid and lightweight for a car of its type, offering an extremely impressive driving experience.

The XK convertible was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It features a conventional cloth top that will open or close in 18 seconds.

The XK series is priced from £60,085.^[4]

[edit] Engines

Initially, the XK was powered by a 300 hp (225 kW) version of the 4.2 L AJ-V8 petrol engine. In October 2006, a supercharged version of that engine was added with a maximum output of 420 hp (300 kW). For model year 2008 has been presented the 3.5l V8 version with 258 hp (192 kW).

There have been rumours that an XKR-S with a 5.0-litre 550 hp engine and an even more involving drive is on the way. This is an open secret among Jaguar dealerships in the UK who will confirm that it's on its way as early as the summer of 2008.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Design

The new XK closely resembles the ALC Coupe concept which was first seen at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The designer, Ian Callum, was also responsible for Aston Martin's DB7 and Vanquish coupés, which explains the similarities in design among the three cars.

The new XK's grille is inspired by that of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type.

[edit] Technology

The new XK has introduced a world first in pedestrian safety, PDBS (Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet System). In numerous pedestrian collisions with vehicles, head injuries occur when a pedestrian's head impacts with the bonnet of the vehicle. However, the injuries are not usually sustained from the bonnet itself, rather the bonnet deforming and the pedestrian's head colliding with the engine block underneath. European Pedestrian Safety Regulations are also responsible for some of the similarity between the XK and some of Callum's other designs.

Jaguar's innovation is to have sensors in the front bumper that determine if a pedestrian has indeed been struck and this then triggers two pyrotechnical charges that instantaneously lift the bonnet, providing extra distance between engine and head. In effect, the bonnet becomes the exterior equivalent of an airbag: The hood's sheet metal may not be soft, but it is much more accommodating than a solid engine block.

This device has awarded the all-new Jaguar XK the Engineering and Technology Award at the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards in London.^[5]

In addition, the XK features an advanced paddleshift gearbox that enables the driver to either use it as one would a standard automatic gearbox, or an automatic gearbox featuring faster shifts by using the sport mode. Alternatively, the driver can take full manual control of the gears by means of two paddles situated behind the steering wheel, affording the driver optimum control in fast driving.

[edit] Limited editions

[edit] XKR Portfolio

The XKR Portfolio was released in early 2007 featuring exclusive Celestial Black paint and 20-inch (510 mm) Cremona five-spoke alloy wheels. Interior enhancements included, as standard, an engine-spun aluminium veneer, or an optional Satin American Walnut veneer.

The XKR Portfolio also benefits from an upgraded sound system from Bowers & Wilkins, featuring high-output, low-distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminium-dome tweeters.

There were no performance enhancements to the 4.2-litre supercharged engine, however the brakes were substantially upgraded with the use of Alcon 6-piston calipers on 400 mm (16 in) crescent-grooved discs at the front, and 4-piston calipers on 350 mm (14 in) discs at the rear.^[6]

[edit] Awards

• The XK won the respected Top Gear magazine "GT of the Year" and "Car of the Year" awards in 2006.^[7]

[edit] References

• Patrick Bedard. "Preview: 2007 Jaguar XK". Car and Driver (March 2006): 58–59. 

[edit] External links

• XK8/R Enthusiasts Club

• XK Official website

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Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Sports car		XJ-S HE										XJS					XK8 / XKR										XK / XKR
Compact exec																							X-Type
Executive car																					S-Type								XF
Full-size	XJ6 S3								XJ6 (XJ40)							XJ6			XJ8 / XJR					XJ8 / XJR
	XJ12 S3													XJ12		XJ12
Halo model													15	XJ220
Racing					XJRs									C							R1/2/3/4/5								XKR GT3
Ownership	British Leyland			Independent					Ford																				Tata Motors