Test drive Jaguar XK8 2002 - 2006 compartment

The top of happiness

The new Jaguar XK looks flawless in the back of the compartment and the color of the silver metallic. Now imagine what this car will look like if it is deprived of the roof and change the color to bright red
 

It will look like the new Jaguar XK Convertible, and I tell you, such external data is the prerogative of only the best cars of our time!
 

Looking at the graceful profile of the convertible, the least I want to talk about the technical filling. Yes, and there is no reason - a detailed report on the XK coupe test was in the last motor issue, and cars differ from each other minimally (if you do not take into account the roof and some elements of the power structure of the body).
 

I would like to talk about the beautiful! Red color added the appearance of emotionality. In addition, the convertible can also boast of a magnificent, framed by chrome, salon. What he, in fact, does, putting him on public display with the riders. The latter is worthwhile to put on something in the color of the body.
 

However, the roof can be raised. Red bottom, black top. The effect, of course, is no longer like that, but the stylish look is preserved, this cat in 19-inch boots with Pirelli soles looks amazing in a black hat.
 

Inside the XK Convertible is somewhat different from the compartment - for the better. Instead of unconditionally fashionable aluminum, a classic decoration with wood has been used, which, admitted, is very annoying in most modern cars. However, a tree in Jaguar cannot be considered a monoton. The result is a convertible salon aristocratic, more comfortable. And, by the way, more spacious - when the roof is raised, the stock above the head is greater than in the compartment. And when removed
 

If you want to drive a car without a ceiling in a large city in Moscow, then there are two options for you. The first is to stand under the shower after each trip. The second is to use the convertible for its purpose selectively, for example, on weekends, when there are at least cars on the streets. And in general, the stereotypical habitat for the convertible is some well -groomed seaside territory.
 

However, it is packed (especially at first) at the first signs of good weather to press the coveted button and hear the promising buzz of servo drives. Which I did right away as soon as I received the keys to the car. True, it was on Monday during the day and not in the principality of Monaco, but at the intersection of the Leningradskoye Shosse and MKAD
 

The roof is removed in just 18 seconds, and if you have a car with the car for the first time, then the strong sensations are guaranteed - as soon as the upper section of the cloth top is leaning back, noise, wind and sun rays burst into the salon.
 

In the ergonomics of the compartment and convertible parity - they copy each other. Convenient steering wheel, comfortable chairs that perfectly fix the body. What else? Cool audio system. Management of most car functions by means of a display with Touch-Screen. There is only one serious difference. In the convertible, when the top is removed, an adult can stand in the back. True, the one who is in front will have to be squeezed. However, if we are talking about two girls (not basketball players), then the compromise will be found quickly, and now you can start a smooth defile through the streets on a warm summer day of the weekend. And you should not accelerate much - the rear passenger is not protected from the wind, and he has nothing to hold on to.
 

The gentlemen who launched the engines of their racing Jaguar would probably be pleased with the sound with which the 4.2-liter eight XK wakes up. The sound of the exhaust system is perfect! At idle speeds, the motor bassuis, but it is worth giving gas, and it will publish a uterine evil roar, and everyone around involuntarily turns around, startled. A serious sound is a sign of outstanding running qualities. I wonder if the convertible from the compartment is very different here?
 

Despite the lack of a roof, the convertible body is tough, not an example to many genre colleagues. The widespread use of aluminum, as well as the strengthening of the power design, especially for the open version, led to the fact that on the move, in urban conditions, the convertible does not lose the compartment at all. Even if you specially ride on serious irregularities, the body will not think to play door openings, there will be no creaks and tapping. Open XK is worked out uncompromisingly technologically and efficiently.
 

Here with the raised roof, the convertible on the go gives the same sensations as the coupe. However, he can strengthen them so much if you decide to fold the cloth top. Forward, on a suburban highway!
 

Tearing the space with the aluminum body of the convertible, you understand that true racing romance is the destiny of open cars. After all, if you think about it, even the Formula -1 car - a convertible!
 

The noise of the wind, the engine of the engine and the song of the exhaust system merge into a single sound symphony indescribable by the printed word - the sensation of speed increases significantly! You push the accelerator pedal, the roar becomes louder, the acceleration presses into the chair - the sensations intensify exponentially, and I don’t want to stop this process so! But a hindrance appears in front, the pads in powerful calipers cover the brake discs with hot arms, and the convertible reduces the rhythm, goes down from heaven to Earth - and I, with it, if you distract from emotions, it is worth noting that even at the highest speed the front riders are reliably protected From the wind. Aerodynamics are thought out extremely well. Well, for additional protection, you can install a special screen behind. Particularly unlucky will help to remain unharmed protective arcs that the car shoots during the coup. They are located behind the second row of seats, and if the roof is raised, they rip it off at the time of the accident with special entities.
 

Is the new Jaguar convertible all? The answer is positive. Although the owner of Convertible is unlikely to roll out this miracle to the streets in severe frost. More importantly, another question is - does the cloth top provide proper sound insulation? Provides. With the raised roof, XK Convertible is practically no different from just XK. Unless at high noise speeds.
 

You can’t get anywhere from the prose of life. Over time, emotions subside, the hand stretches less and less to the cherished button in the ceiling, the desire to constantly clean the interior after city dust baths disappears, however, you need to remember and understand that even a momentary desire to give yourself a good mood with the help of a car can only be realized by a convertible. And the devil with her, with dust, damn it, with a shower! Pressing the button, 18 seconds, and behind them - happiness!
 

Prices and equipment
 

A convertible in the basic equipment with a 4.2 liter engine (300 hp) and a 6-speed automatic costs $ 144 500. By default, the car has the following: ABS, EDB, Brake Assist, GUR, Electronic parking brake, DSC and Trac DSC, Separate climate control, an audio system with control on the steering wheel, bi-xenon swivel headlights, headlight washers, light and rain sensors, heating of seats, engine heating, an anti-deposit system with an immobilizer, all-luminous discs R18, a monitor with a Touch-SCREEN function, a CD chamber On 6 disks, Bluetooth, decoration of the salon with a nut tree.
 

Text: Leonty Tyutelev

 
 

Source: Magazine Motor