New 2006 Jag XK with Pic
8/9/04, 01:03 PM
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from Auto Express
The spirit of Jaguar's E-Type is back! This cool new Cat is ready to pounce, and
Auto Express magazine has the first exclusive pictures. It takes its inspiration
from the Sixties sports car legend, and the company is applying the final
touches ahead of the model's debut as an XK-badged concept at January's Detroit
Motor Show.
Featuring an aggressive, muscular look, a longer wheelbase and shorter
overhangs, the two-seater will replace the current XK when it reaches showrooms
early in 2006.
Quad headlamps, huge 21-inch wheels and a more spacious cabin are all on the
agenda, as are new side vents and a lightweight body. It's not all change,
though. Unlike the Mercedes SL and forthcoming Maserati coupé cabriolet, the XK
will not have a folding metal roof. Instead, two distinct models will be
offered: a roadster and a coupé.
But that's where the link with the current range ends. To keep up with rivals,
Jaguar is reported to be developing a radical new XK family to include a
Mercedes AMG-bashing XK-RR and an affordable six-cylinder variant. All versions
will be based on a lightweight aluminium chassis, and built at the company's
Brown's Lane factory in the West Midlands.
The XK shares technology that underpins the acclaimed new XJ, and sources
revealed that building the chassis has been a demanding technical challenge. The
sheet aluminium system has been tough to work with, but engineers are now
confident the set-up has been perfected. This is thanks to hundreds of miles of
testing conducted in a specially designed XJ-based prototype.
News of a six-cylinder engine is a shock, particularly as rumours suggest it
will be a 3.0-litre straight-six. Because of Jaguar's reliance on the current
3.0-litre V6, it was thought the firm's long relationship with the famous
XK-based straight-six had ended in 1997. Our sources have said the unit will be
produced at the firm's Bridgend plant in 2006 - and could appear in a less
expensive model to rival the Mercedes SL350.
Higher up in the range, Jaguar's 4.2-litre and supercharged V8s will feature,
promising outputs of up to 450bhp. With the lighter bodywork, the modest
increase in power is certain to enhance performance. The 0-60mph sprint time is
likely to drop below five seconds, while the car could reach a top speed in
excess of 190mph. But it's not all about engineering. Bosses want the XK to be a
class leader in terms of style, so a more modern look is promised.
The facelifted S-Type and daring Concept Eight offer clues on cabin design, with
aluminium and leather featuring throughout. New bucket seats, up-to-date
communications, plus touch-screen sat-nav, audio and air-con, are also set to
feature.
Safety will be upgraded, too. The coupé is tipped to boast all-round airbags,
while the traction control and braking will be improved. Al-though diesel
editions of the Merc- edes SL and petrol hybrid versions of the Lexus SC430 are
rumoured to be on the way, Jaguar is sticking to unleaded units for now.
However, with a new 4.0-litre V8 diesel under development and pencilled in for
launch in 2006, that could change.
One thing is certain, though - a new six-cylinder XK makes Jag's sportster more
accessible than ever before. And with prices starting from £40,000, the car is
sure to be a hit. Dan Strong
The spirit of Jaguar's E-Type is back! This cool new Cat is ready to pounce, and
Auto Express magazine has the first exclusive pictures. It takes its inspiration
from the Sixties sports car legend, and the company is applying the final
touches ahead of the model's debut as an XK-badged concept at January's Detroit
Motor Show.
Featuring an aggressive, muscular look, a longer wheelbase and shorter
overhangs, the two-seater will replace the current XK when it reaches showrooms
early in 2006.
Quad headlamps, huge 21-inch wheels and a more spacious cabin are all on the
agenda, as are new side vents and a lightweight body. It's not all change,
though. Unlike the Mercedes SL and forthcoming Maserati coupé cabriolet, the XK
will not have a folding metal roof. Instead, two distinct models will be
offered: a roadster and a coupé.
But that's where the link with the current range ends. To keep up with rivals,
Jaguar is reported to be developing a radical new XK family to include a
Mercedes AMG-bashing XK-RR and an affordable six-cylinder variant. All versions
will be based on a lightweight aluminium chassis, and built at the company's
Brown's Lane factory in the West Midlands.
The XK shares technology that underpins the acclaimed new XJ, and sources
revealed that building the chassis has been a demanding technical challenge. The
sheet aluminium system has been tough to work with, but engineers are now
confident the set-up has been perfected. This is thanks to hundreds of miles of
testing conducted in a specially designed XJ-based prototype.
News of a six-cylinder engine is a shock, particularly as rumours suggest it
will be a 3.0-litre straight-six. Because of Jaguar's reliance on the current
3.0-litre V6, it was thought the firm's long relationship with the famous
XK-based straight-six had ended in 1997. Our sources have said the unit will be
produced at the firm's Bridgend plant in 2006 - and could appear in a less
expensive model to rival the Mercedes SL350.
Higher up in the range, Jaguar's 4.2-litre and supercharged V8s will feature,
promising outputs of up to 450bhp. With the lighter bodywork, the modest
increase in power is certain to enhance performance. The 0-60mph sprint time is
likely to drop below five seconds, while the car could reach a top speed in
excess of 190mph. But it's not all about engineering. Bosses want the XK to be a
class leader in terms of style, so a more modern look is promised.
The facelifted S-Type and daring Concept Eight offer clues on cabin design, with
aluminium and leather featuring throughout. New bucket seats, up-to-date
communications, plus touch-screen sat-nav, audio and air-con, are also set to
feature.
Safety will be upgraded, too. The coupé is tipped to boast all-round airbags,
while the traction control and braking will be improved. Al-though diesel
editions of the Merc- edes SL and petrol hybrid versions of the Lexus SC430 are
rumoured to be on the way, Jaguar is sticking to unleaded units for now.
However, with a new 4.0-litre V8 diesel under development and pencilled in for
launch in 2006, that could change.
One thing is certain, though - a new six-cylinder XK makes Jag's sportster more
accessible than ever before. And with prices starting from £40,000, the car is
sure to be a hit. Dan Strong
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