In 1948, Jaguar presented the automotive world with a gift, the exciting XK120. Based on the XK engine, the car would blaze to five historic victories in the Le Mans 24-hour race. Nearly 60 years later the latest incarnation might not be able to go 175mph, as did its namesake, but the ’07 version is exciting, classy and classic nonetheless.
Succeeding the last version of the XK that was terminated in 2005, the 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe is a testament to Jaguar’s new lightweight vehicle technology, bringing Coventry’s classic design cues into the 21st century with state-of-the-art techniques and sophistication. The last edition of the XK was Jag’s fastest-selling sports model in history, so a lot is riding on the stellar Cat’s lithe and athletic shoulders.
My test vehicle, adorned in Liquid Silver paint, sported architecture second to none. An indisputable head turner, I found people smiling at the car as I cruised by. Angular, energetic and sporty in demeanor, the XK is lissome and catlike with a length of 188.6 inches, width of 81.5 inches and height of 52.0 inches on a wheelbase of 108.3 inches. A long nose and ground clearance of only 4.7 inches make it necessary to watch those curbs and stanchions in parking lots.
It is a genuine beauty, but above that, the XK Coupe is a true driver’s car. Sitting in an advanced aluminum chassis that cuts its mass by about 20 percent, the slinky Cat weighs in at 3671 lbs. That relatively light weight for this quality a vehicle, aids the fuel consumption and speed ratings as well as handling attributes. The XK offers a 420hp turbocharged model, but my standard Coupe had power to spare with a throaty, brawny 4.2-liter V-8 engine that purred out 300hp and 310 lbs.-ft. of torque. While non-turbo versions have been tested in 5.9 seconds, my test vehicle, tuned as if it were driven off the car lot, managed to smoothly and effortlessly get me from zero to 60 in the mid-6s. I flew down the quarter-mile in a tick under 15-flat, but I never felt the allusion of speed. On the highway as well, the XK hugs the road with a low center of gravity and spacious interior that alters the perception of velocity and creates an umbrella in which 80mph feels like 60 and rides like 50.
Since classiness is at the center point of Jaguar, and since burning rubber would be less than civilized to some, the XK’s 32-valve V-8 is endowed with a European torque curve, meaning it is not as explosive off the line as I would have expected, and you get a bit of over-rev at low speed. But at high-speed, the XK Coupe passes like a champion with quick, smooth and powerful acceleration.
As a true race car should, the ’07 XK starts with the push of a button (keep the key fob in your pocket). Letting the husky-sounding engine take over, there is a bit of torque steer, and the car can lurch forward a bit, but taking the Cat on a tour along Maryland highways and mountain passes, I found smooth acceleration, gentle hugging of winding roads and wonderful balance and stability. On the autocross, in tight turns and drifting exercises, I noticed a bit of yaw, but for non-competitive driving, this is a superb driver’s car. Dynamic stability control, speed-sensitive steering and variable cam phasing serve to create a confident ride.
Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the XK is EPA rated 18 mpg/city and 27mpg/hwy. My weeklong tests throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland produced an average of 24.4mpg.
Safety and security are a Jaguar focus, as evidenced by computer active tech suspension, anti-theft engine immobilizer, driver and passenger front and side airbags, front-side, head-chest, seat-mounted driver and passenger airbags, rain sensing wipers, reverse park control, security system with remote central locking, whiplash reduction system, roll-over protection system and emergency trunk release with phosphorescent inside trunk.
The interior is a home comfort room, bedecked with leather seating surfaces, high-gloss burl walnut veneer, 16-way power-adjustable, driver and front passenger seats, 3-stage heated cushions, 3-spoke, leather trimmed steering wheel, automatic, dual-zone climate control with air filter and humidity sensor, outside temperature indicator, electrically adjustable tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory entry/exit feature, Alpine premium sound system with 6 speakers, 160-watt output, DSP, power amplifier, subwoofers, cassette player and in-dash 6-CD changer, Denso DVD-based navigation system and Bluetooth® wireless connectivity telephone system.
The second row of seats CAN seat two …if they are children. While head room is 37.4 inches up front and 33.3 behind and leg room is a comfy 43.0 up front and a very charitable 23.7 behind, I found virtually NO leg room behind if two six-footers occupy the front seats.
Other than the fact that this 2+2 is better served as a coupe for two, the 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe, base priced at $74,500, and fully ornamented at $85,500, is a luxury sedan for the ages, carrying on the proud tradition of a 59-year old marque.
Visit http://www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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