PREVIEW
Driving the
2013 Jaguar XK is an event. You're enveloped in a snug cabin with long,
narrow windows that evokes the feel of an exotic grand touring
machine. The engine ignition button pulses red as if there's a heart
beating within. Press it and the silky-smooth V8 engine comes to life
while the rotary gear selector rises into your hand. There's not quite
the level of theater as you'll find in a Jaguar sedan, but with its soft
leather upholstery, copious electronic toys, sharp handling and
selection of magnificent engines, there is never a shortage of
entertainment on hand in the XK.
Truth be told, the Jaguar XK has always been somewhat of a forgotten pet in a kennel of sport coupes
and convertibles that includes the BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz
SL-Class and Porsche 911. Perhaps it's the reliability issues of the
past that have led the car to be overlooked, though none of the above is
exactly a Honda Civic in that regard, despite dramatically improved
ratings for all of them just recently. Perhaps the Jag isn't the
drop-dead gorgeous looker its predecessor was, though none of the above
is exactly an automotive Heidi Klum. Perhaps the XK simply got off on
the wrong foot, as the appearance of its cabin and the performance of
its engines weren't nearly as impressive when this car first appeared in
2007.
No matter
the reason, the Jaguar XK deserves a shot now. Its finely tuned
suspension delivers impressive handling, yet still manages a compliant,
poised ride. The steering is similarly praiseworthy. The car's lightweight aluminum
architecture not only makes the XK feel like a featherweight compared
to the rather hefty 6 Series and SL-Class, but also makes life easier
for the engines as well.
Not that
they really needed the help. The base, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8
provides a potent 385 horsepower, while the XKR bumps things up to 510
hp. The XKR-S puts out an absolutely wild 550 hp that'll overwhelm the
rear tires (and an inattentive, overly enthusiastic driver) with
exuberance. All are splendidly smooth, and produce a glorious bass purr
as you surge forward. (And we don't say purr just to use a pun when
writing about a car named after a cat. It's just the best word to describe the sound.)
Another
attractive point for the XK is its price. While the XK starts out at
about the same amount of money as the 911 and slots in between the
turbocharged-6 and turbocharged-8-powered 6 Series, those other cars
require multiple extra-cost options to match the Jag's generous list of standard equipment.
Meanwhile, the SL-Class costs significantly more to start, although its
performance, price and equipment actually line up with the XKR.
Finally, when you consider that the XKR-S can better the various Aston
Martins in terms of performance, the "value equation" becomes even more
compelling.
Yet the 2013
Jaguar XK obviously isn't just about value. It's about the event it
provides every time you slip into that driver seat and the ignition
button begins pulsating. We think it's an event that's at least worth a
test-drive.
FEATURES
The 2013
Jaguar XK is available in four trim levels: XK Touring, XK, XKR and
XKR-S. Each is available as a coupe and convertible.
The entry-level XK Touring comes well-equipped with 19-inch wheels, an adjustable suspension, keyless ignition/entry,
automatic bi-xenon headlamps, LED running lamps, rear foglamps,
power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a
rearview camera and automatic wipers.
Standard interior features on the Touring include leather upholstery,
heated 10-way power front seats, a power-adjustable
tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver and front passenger memory
functions, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Electronic features
include a touchscreen interface, a navigation system, Bluetooth phone
connectivity and a premium sound system with a CD player, satellite
radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface. The
convertible adds a power-operated roof and tonneau cover.
Stepping up
to the XK adds 20-inch wheels, upgraded leather upholstery, 16-way power
front seats (with adjustable bolsters and lumbar), cooled front seats, a
heated steering wheel and a 14-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound
system with a six-CD changer.
Optional on
the XK is the Advanced Technology package, which includes adaptive
headlights and adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning.
Also available is the Portfolio Pack, which comes with different wheels,
additional chrome exterior accents, a leather headliner and metallic
pedal accents. HD radio is also optional.
The XKR adds
a supercharged engine, different 20-inch wheels, upgraded brakes,
upgraded exhaust, adaptive headlights and HD radio. Options include the
Portfolio Pack, the Dynamic Pack and the Black Pack. The Dynamic Pack
adds different 20-inch wheels, a higher top speed, a lowered ride
height, an upgraded and more aggressively tuned suspension and a sport
body kit. The Black Pack adds unique 20-inch wheels, a larger rear
spoiler and gloss black trim on areas that would normally be bright or
chrome. Stand-alone options include an upgraded exhaust and adaptive
cruise control with forward collision warning.
The XKR-S
adds an even more powerful supercharged engine, wider 20-inch wheels in a
matte gray finish, an upgraded exhaust, a more aggressively tuned
suspension, a carbon-fiber front splitter and rear aero diffuser, a
partially carbon-fiber rear wing, an extensive aerodynamic body kit,
heated sport seats (ventilation function removed) and unique interior
trim. The Bright Pack adds some chrome exterior trim and bright polished
wheels in place of the standard darker components on the XKR-S.
INTERIOR
The 2013
Jaguar XK's cockpit is well-tailored and inviting, with special touches
here and there like the rotary gear selector that rises out of the
center console upon start-up. There are some ergonomic glitches,
however. The multipurpose touchscreen that operates audio, climate,
navigation and phone systems has been improved in terms of response and
functionality, but still isn't as user-friendly as some competing
systems. Another downside involves the backseats, which are cramped even
for small children. The cabin can also be a little claustrophobic given
its rakish greenhouse and slim windows, being more akin to an Aston
Martin than a BMW 6 Series.
The XK's
power soft top takes a scant 18 seconds to lower and is well insulated
for a quiet ride when deployed. The XK coupe's trunk can hold about 11
cubic feet of cargo -- much larger than the trunks in the 911 or
Mercedes SL-Class and just slightly smaller than the 6 Series or
Mercedes E-Class cargo holds. With the top down, the XK convertible can
still hold a respectable 8 cubic feet.
UNDER THE HOOD
The 2013
Jaguar XK is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 385 hp and 380
pound-feet of torque. As with every XK, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed
automatic are standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg city/24
mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. The convertible achieves 16/22/18.
More power
is available from the XKR, which gets a supercharged version of the same
engine to bring output up to 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. In
Autoexpress performance testing, an XKR convertible went from zero to 60
mph in a very rapid 4.5 seconds (the lighter coupe would be even
quicker). EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15/22/17 regardless of body
style.
The 2013
Jaguar XKR-S gets a more powerful version of the supercharged 5.0-liter
good for 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. In Autoexpress testing, the
coupe went from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. This may seem to show a
rather insignificant difference between the XKR-S and XKR, but the
capabilities of the former's prodigious power are limited at the drag
strip by traction. Believe us, it feels much quicker. Fuel economy is
identical to that of the XKR
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