Test Drive Jaguar XK since 2006 coupe

"Return of the legend." Jaguar XK Car Overview, 2006

Japan is one of the leading car powers, but what is curious, it is considered to be in Russia, prestigious to ride in foreign cars. That's just not on any, but on the coolest - such as Japan itself is simply not producing. In their number, naturally, the expensive sports cars are Corvette, Lamborghini, Maserati and others. What are the Japanese sophisticated in cars think about such cars? We present to your attention this report about the latest model Jaguar XK.

Model Row XK The main stages of development.
Interestingly, what associations arise from an ordinary buyer when he has to hear the phrase of the Jaguar brand machine? It seems to me that the overwhelming majority, if not everyone, this expression should be associated or with a luxurious lounge, or with a pronounced sports car. Actually, it really is. On the one hand, Jaguar is known as the manufacturer of gorgeous cars, and on the other hand, there is a number of wonderful sports in its technical data in its fleet. To understand what is a luxurious Jaguar Salon, it is enough to be driving a car from the Jaguar XJ series. The freshest model of this series is in production for quite some time since 2003, so now it is safe to say that it has been brought to a high degree of perfection. At the same time, in the current year, the debut of the new model of the model range was held, which is indicated by the letters XK and which can be accurately recommended as a typical representative of the second, sports squad of the Jaguar brand.
In order to understand what this lineup represents this lineup, and how it was developed, a small excursion should be made. So, Jaguar received fame after in 1922, with a light hand of Her Founder of William Lions (William Lions), which suggested that the development and assembly of the Body CAR (Side Car) released its first Swallow CAR car. For this car there were characters a peculiar style, incredibly low weight and an acceptable price. These three features, namely, catchy appearance, low weight and relatively small price with equal specifications with competitors, have become a kind of business card of all subsequent developments that were conceived and embodied by Jaguar. It is clear that Villam Lions Machines acquired very high popularity. And it was these three trumps that ended up allowed the company created by him to rise to such a high place in the global car hierarchy.
Now let's turn to the facts to trace what way Jaguar has become a reputable manufacturer of sports cars. The first stage of this large path dates back to 1948 and is associated with the holding of the London Automobile Salon. To this event, Jaguar timed to show the show of his new brainchildren of the XK120 sports model, which, in fact, began a sports series XK. The next major achievement in this direction was the Jaguar E-Type model, which was first demonstrated in 1961 in Geneva. It should be listed here than exactly the contemporaries of contemporaries this sports car. So, in the Jaguar E-Type car, for the first time in the history of sports engineering, a frameless carrying carbon monoxide was used. Secondly, all 4 wheels were attached to the body independently from another (independent suspension type). Further, all 4 wheels were equipped with disk brakes. As for the engine, it was from the same series as the motor, which was developed by the XK120 model, but only a more perfect: 6-cylinder, with a vertically-in-line location of the cylinders, the working volume of which was 3.8 liters. It was combined with a mechanical 4-speed gearbox. Needless to say, in this car, as it should be in a sports car, the presenter was the rear axle. And, finally, as for the type of body, at that time the buyer was offered two varieties of the machine: a convertible with a removable roof and a piece of coupe with the number of places 2 plus 2.
It should be noted that the silhouettes of both cars, which, as they say, William Lions have been identified personally, differed in amazing smoothness of lines. Yes, what is there to talk, cars were simply beautiful. But by the time, namely, by the mid-60s of the last century, the Jaguar E-Type model has already become an only single sports orientation machine that has excellent technical data. Just remember Mercedes 300sl or Aston Martin DB4. Or the same Ferrari 250GT, - in one word, the driver who preferred an active driving manner was, from which to choose. But the fact is that having the main characteristics similar to competitors, the Jaguar E-Type model was sold at a significantly lower price. So, as you can see, the rule that was one of the components of success is still in the era of the release of Side Car Motorok's Type, Jaguar has always sought to follow, whatever the model be released. This rule is to take the cheapness. Did not become the last model Jaguar XK.
New new XK machine: everything is very serious.
What happened in the sports field then, when the Jaguar E-Type model became part of albeit nice, but still the past? Then there was a protracted period, which can be conditionally divided into two large stages: the stage, when the XJS model was produced and the XK8 car was launched into production, and after it was released the release of machines with a Supercharge engine (XKR model). And here the end of this second stage was marked by the release of a completely different car of the Jaguar brand, which on the one hand becomes a logical continuation of the XK model range, but on the other hand, it is so much different from its predecessor, which otherwise than New XK (XK, yes not that !) And you won't call him. But there is something like that that he relates him to a direct ancestor - the E-Type model, which, as already mentioned, was very much influenced by the development of sports automotive industry in the first half of the 60s of the last century. After all, no one argues that the E-Type car was very good for his time, I would say advanced in technical terms. But isn't it impossible to say the same about the Jaguar XK machine of a new sample? That's exactly what they relate to them: and the one, old, and this new both are similar in that they are a kind of reference cars, which are easiest to understand what the intentions and promising plans of Jaguar, and that, in fact, follows from Her expect in the near future.
Well, but what, in this case, in the new XK machine is such a remarkable? I think that the most characteristic phenomenon was the use of a Jaguar frameless carrier body of a monocook, and not simple, but entirely made of aluminum alloys. Of course, the benefits of aluminum body are known to each such a car much easier than its steel fellow. It is no secret that aluminum was used in the automotive industry before, the truth of its application was limited only to single machines designed to participate in sports races, and even sports cars, which for one reason or another, at any cost was needed by ultralight. In recent years, however, Audi sometimes uses a completely aluminum body in some machines of the A8 model range. However, the construction of the body provides for the presence in it so called spatial frame (Space Frame). The feature of the Jaguar car body is that when it is manufactured, the connection of individual parts is widely used using adhesion adhesion adhesion. Well, from the company of the manufacturer, who, since the 60s of the last century, successfully uses the body of such a design in its machines, even if the steel served for it, it was possible to expect anything, including the appearance in her arsenal such a specific product, as completely aluminum monoclies. Moreover, pay attention. Among other things, Jaguar manufactures the luxury series machines, that is, the sedan of the model range XJ. And, nevertheless, the fully aluminum carrying body was designed specifically for the Jaguar sporty variety, the XK car. Is this circumstance does not characterize the company from the most positive side by issuing a manufacturer in it, which takes care of its reputation? Although, if you look more wider, then all English technology is traditionally aimed at any cost to make body the body as easier. This is a kind of axiom that the body should be easy - be it a plane or a racing car, a certain incomplete rule that is not even subject to discussion.
Modern interpretation of a jaguar sports coupe.
It's no secret that, since the era, which can be conventionally designated as an era of E-type, or even not, from earlier times, when the company just started to deploy the release of its Side Car's motocoles, the Jaguar brand meant external sophistication, or, if otherwise, individual style. This is undoubtedly one of the most important features of Jaguar products. But it was a long time ago. What now? How can I evaluate the car model range of New XK? If we talk about silhouette, then in terms of proportions, especially in XK with a body coupe, its similarity with the E-Type Coupe machine turns out to be very noticeable. After all, as in two words describe what is the former Jaguar? Imagine the usual fastback (two-block with a smooth downward roof lines), but only with a folding lid of the rear trunk. Thus, you can confidently say that the new XK car is nothing more than the modern version of that, the former E-Type coupe. It is very, by the way to say, the front parts of the cars are similar: and there, and here the hood ends with a grid of a radiator, which looks like a linked mouth through which the car swallows air. That's just the shape of your eyebrows over the front, a new car gives a slightly diagony eye headlights. But maybe this difference is not so significant, maybe I am alone who drew attention to it.
As for the internal finish of the car, since it makes an opinion that the typical British salon must be finished and the tree and the skin, the new jaguar interior of a sharp displeasure should not cause, even on the contrary. But here is the design of the instrument part of the front panel, including the central console, you can call it a successful designer find or not, I do not know. After all, the fact that you see in the cabin of a new sample is significantly different from the front panel, which traditionally attended all the former Jaguar models. I mean the fact that before the front panel extended from the left to the right door, and at all its lengths there were no extraneous details that could serve as a visual separator of its left and right part. Although this metamorphosis is fully explained: before everything that concerned the design, he oversawned Jeff Lawson, but after his death, as is known, all his farm has passed under the Office of Jan Kalam, who also once engaged in the Aston brand design. It is easy to guess that after that, in the design style of Jaguar, some moves began to occur, which, if we look objectively, often turn out to be not deprived of meaning.
Someone can assume that the rear seats in the Salon Jaguar XK could be a little wider, since two adult passengers will be somewhat closed together there. But at the same time, what do you want from a sports coupe, the number of sedentary places in which is determined by formula 2 plus 2? Yes, indeed, seriously argue that the rear seats are designed for two seats and can take two passengers, it is unlikely possible. But the car has a fairly wide rear trunk with a folding lid. Doesn't it make it a sufficiently suitable means for everyday trips? And is it for those who are not at the back, but on the front chairs, may seem too close? I do not know who, how, but it seems to me that as a sports compartment, a new Jaguar XK car, which is called, took place, and in many respects it is due to the impeccable work of the design team. Or take the version of the machine with the topping top. See, in order to remove or return the roof back, you need only some 18 seconds of the electric drive. But even in an open form, when a part of the rear trunk turns out to be a busy roof, it still remains enough space. Thus, on the one hand, the technical equipment and the spaciousness of the salon or the trunk does not cause any complaints. And in a closed form, the car, besides, it looks very tightened, which should, in theory, very much like the drivers who are going to use this machine, including for business daily trips. So and here the designers hit the point. Well, it means, another successful shot more!
19-inch wheels? Easy!
The Jaguar model of the New XK model range is equipped with an earlier 8-cylinder V-shaped engine with a 4.2 liter working volume. It is able to develop the power of 304 horsepower and give a torque of at least 42.9 kg / m. This is a traction the force is transmitted through a 6-speed automatic transmission to rear drive wheels. But most importantly, this is the weight characteristics of the new car. So, due to the fact that the body, firstly, frameless, and secondly, is made entirely of aluminum alloys, the weight of the car is only 1690 kg, if it is a sports coupe, and 1730 kg if it is a convertible with a folding riding. Agree that for your class the car was surprisingly easy. It is easy to assume what runoff qualities can demonstrate a car in which such a heavy duty engine is combined with such a small mass. We look at the data characterizing the car dynamics. So, in order to achieve a speed of 100 km / h, the car requires no more than 6.2 seconds. Nominal speed is limited to 250 kilometers per hour. So, if you try to determine what exactly in the new car XK reliably testifies to his belonging to the glorious Jaguar family, then I would name, first of all, his high speed potential.
The engine's behavior is noteworthy when it has to work in medium speed. First, the smoothness of the rotation of the crankshaft is striking, although what, in fact, wonder if all 8 cylinders are twisted, located V-figuratively! Secondly, when he has to increase the revolutions to develop a large power, it does not give its voltage to a single sound, preferring to avoid increased tones. In many ways, it contributes to a well-chosen 6-speed automatic transmission, which acts smoothly and, most importantly, coordinated with the engine. And this, in turn, allows the driver to easily choose the tempo of the movement that it currently seems most acceptable. And be sure - the engine is calm and no apparent will fulfill what is required of it. But what did I notice? Yes, really, motor it works with no apparent, or, more precisely, to say, without audible tension. But at the same time, if you gazal on a complete coil, the characteristic sound of exhaust gases from the silencer will not be as usual in British machines. It recalls the rocus of the American car, which invariably acts on the driver exciting. In this regard, I can imagine how those lovers of the Jaguar brand are affected by unpleasant, who are accustomed to feel silence and peace. Yes, what is Yaguar, if he is so growing! - Such their reaction is quite expected. What to argue? Perhaps, only the fact that in the development of this model, which we were conditionally called Jaguar New XK, in front of the designers stood a difficult task to make your jaguar according to the real sports car, and to make it so that it really differed novelty. And novelty is always unusual. In any case, such sound support is not a flaw, it is a conscious step, planned in advance.
Now let's turn to such parameters as the manageability and stability of the Jaguar of the new development. Due to the fact that the bodyless body is made of aluminum, the steering mechanism demonstrates amazing immediacy, just a class! In fact, if the weight of the car is relatively small, then the first thing this affects its readiness to easily change its position. That is what happens with the new car Jaguar XK: he changes so well the trajectory of his movement, let's say when it goes along a winding road that it does not fit with it, in general, rather big dimensions. What else is satisfied, this is what along with low weight, body rigidity is amazing. Perhaps it is a combination of light weight and relatively durable bodies design determines the main advantage of the frameless carrier monocoise made entirely of aluminum. And where there is a hard body, there is a relatively high level of comfort. At least, the body rigidity is one of the prerequisites, without which the driver can hardly feel in complete comfort. But if such rigidity is achieved, then put at least 19-inch, even even 20-inch wheels, that is, tires with the largest diameter that are currently applied in the passenger machines, it will not have a significant value. In other words, the enlarged mass of the wheels will not lead to an increase in the impetus and shocks perceived by the body. True, if you are completely frank, then with 20-inch wheels the case is not so safe, as I noticed that from time to time, when there are too noticeable irregularities on their paths, it all goes the body and hesitated up and down. However, it is only worth moving into a 19-inch rubber, as these oscillations virtually disappear. Therefore, it can be concluded that the suspension design (in the new XK car and in front, and the pendant is used on double transverse parallel levers), and an electronic CATS suspension control system (this means Computer Active Technology System All this allows you to provide a high level of comfort. Of course, if we proceed from the previous idea of \u200b\u200bthe comfort of Jaguar, which is known to be figuratively compared with soft feline paws, then the machine of the new sample will be not so perfect. In particular, you can negatively appreciate the fact that now the car shows a rather hard time when driving At low speed. Such critics would have recommended not to be limited to small, but to reach the operational space and dial the speed again. And then, I am sure they will immediately be able to appreciate the ability of the new XK car without visible shocks to overcome, for example, road areas covered shallow ripples. And then it is possible to decide. Jaguar, or not. And I would like to look at the one who says not!
At the same time, if the body began to possess increased strength, then what could prevent engineers more freely choose the scheme of fastening the parts of the suspension to the body and the permissible parameters of this suspension? Thus, possessing the freedom of choice, the designers were able to work more tightly over the most important handling. And the result was not forced to wait long. I want to say that on the road, repleasing turns and shortages, when, nevertheless, you don't want to lower the speed at a given pace and reduce the speed, the current XK car behaves much more obediently and demonstrates the best handling, rather than the car Jaguar of the previous generation (that is, , XKR models). And it is out of doubt!
Not so much for a sporting ride as for walking with a lady of the heart.
Well, well, imagine that the XK car has a new sample really became another step towards perfection. But did the best sports form bought from this new Jaguar - this is what is the question! As I understand it, the process of technical improvement and the increase in sports merit is not at all the same. So in this case, to raise your authority as a sports car, a new jaguar was clearly failed.
I dare to assume that, despite the excellent running qualities that the new Jaguar XK demonstrates both on a high-speed track and on ordinary roads, it is not perceived as a car created exclusively for the sake of getting driving pleasure in a sports manner. Yes, it's really nice to manage this car in comfort, he will not refuse. But at the same time, driving this seemingly a sports car, the driver, can afford to think about what does not matter to the control process. In other words, although, of course, my assessment is subjective in nature, the driving itself of a new XK car occupies the thought of 40 percent driver, no more. And all the rest is the Duma about how tomorrow's working day will be held, how to hold another summer holiday, how to win the heart of a satellite satellite, etc. Signally speaking, the readiness of the car is completely and without a rest to captivate the driver ride I rate 40 percent.
Meanwhile, by analyzing such an emotional state of the steering wheel of the Porsche 911, say the Carera or Carera S model, come to the conclusion that the level of sports training of these cars ranges from 50 to 60 percent, depending on which At the car transmission. We go further. I remember how he felt when he managed also, like, the sports car Mazeratti Gran Sport. With her, I must say, you need to be very attentive, paying attention to any little things in behavior. The fact is that her engine is constantly trying to exit from under control to show how powerful it is. Does not lag behind the motor and the steering mechanism, - Togo and Look, will lead the car is not there. Thus, the management of this car requires increased concentration of attention to the machine itself, to how she behaves and to the fact that you are doing with her. I believe that the level of sports preparation of the car Mazeratti Gran Sport can be estimated for all 70 percent. Now again I will allow myself to return to the Jaguar XK car of a new model, which on my system can capture the driver's attention only by 40 percent. And then the moment of truth comes. I understand that the desire to have a powerful and fast car is a completely natural desire. However, in order to decide to acquire a new Jaguar, you need to have an annual income of at least 30 million yen. That is, this car can only be a well-advised, solid person. I came to the conclusion that if a person is looking for anything jogging, then the new Jaguar XK with its conditional 40 percent of sports training is not the most successful option. Only style and handling remains. But will he want a serious, dear man every day to sit behind the wheel of a sports type car to then go to work? And for this to be ready to lay out a bunch of money? I believe that something is wrong here, something does not converge.
As you can see, criticize the new Jaguar and not leave the stone on the stone from his sportiness turns out quite easily. And this, despite the fact that, essentially, this car is a typical representative of the sports trader Jaguar sports direction. So, lovers of Jaguar brand cars with such high demands, I would recommend only one not to rush and not despair. It is possible that not today, tomorrow the company will start issuing in addition to the already existing Jaguar XK base model, with the same 8-cylinder V-shaped engine, but only a re-equipped supercharger. Maybe then, under the wondrous sound of the working supercharger, in conditions when it is worth doing something wrong, and the car with dizzying speed will be released from under control, maybe then we, lovers of sharp sensations, solve that the car is now quite sports. And that the car was diverted to the missing happiness for another 20 percent of our attention. I believe that this version of the development of events is quite real.
Technical characteristics of the Jaguar XK model:
Length 4790 mm x Width of 1895 mm x Height 1320 mm.
Wheel base: 2750 mm.
Machine weight: 1690 kg.
Drive: on rear wheels
Engine: 4.2-liter, 8-cylinder with V-shaped cylinder arrangement, DOCH gas distribution mechanism, Maximum developed power 224 kW (304 hp) at 6000 rpm, the largest torque 421 Nm (42.9 kg / m) at 4100 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
Machine price: 11 million 800 thousand yen (approximately $ 10.2000 USA)
 
 

A source: Carview.co.jp.