Test Drive Jaguar XK since 2006 coupe
Classic of Future
The new Jaguar XK is an example of how controversial qualities can easily get along with each other. In the technological plan, it is above the predecessor on his head, and looks like a natural classic.
Many cannot take the appearance of this coupe entirely. For them, he disintegrates on the details. One like more, the other is smaller. And the most ambiguous reaction causes the front part. Different people converge in the opinion that this is not the person of the leader of the Jaguar clan. I do not think so. Later, look into the eyes of the HC, tune in to the perception of their expression, follow the forms and lines elegantly developing from the front to the stern. Then scattering beautiful details will be gather together, and it will become clear why this option was approved and adopted at Jaguar long before it was seen by simple mortals. And what his hips of the rear wings embodied in the wing metal poetry of automotive design! You can confidently state that XK flesh from the jaguar flesh. And part-time is a very beautiful car, made according to the classic canons of the sports and tourist coupe. 
By the way, simple mortals could get an idea of \u200b\u200bthe new model of the company, when in 2005 the Detroit Auto Show was shown a spectacular conceptual Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe. In fact, it was a new XK, performed specifically for the exhibition a number of external solutions, which in the serial version were slightly simpler. An advanced lightweight compartment was interesting not only in terms of design. Fully aluminum body body test reported that a new technological era began in the history of the company. So it turned out xk became the crown of the technical thought of Jaguar.
Acquaintance with the car begins with the ignition key. Not bad key, beautiful, but not ignition. It only sends the signals to the car sensors. And then the door locks are unlocked by themselves, and to start the motor, it will only need to put the leg on the brake pedal and click on the red button in the chrome-plated rim, which is located on a high central tunnel.
The interior, as well as appearance, is made by classic canons. Attaching the front panel, covered with skin, is divided by half a powerful central console. The skin here is everywhere on the doors, an automatic transmission selector, steering wheel, armrest, chairs. Against this background, aluminum inserts look very appropriate. Plastic, as a rule, is very good and externally, and to the touch, and on the door panels, it simply imitates the skin. But there are exceptions. For example, a block of salon lighting on the ceiling Sample unification; Hard plastic and inexpressive buttons do not match the status of the car. However, these are pickles. Much more important quality. And it is height. In XK, everything meets the restrained English style. Some details for example, the handle of the intensity of blowing, cigarette lighter or steel chrome keys in the ends of the steering wheel switches can be simply admired. The designer team led by Jan Callum worked for fame. I liked the steering wheel and the automatic transmission lever, which runs along the L-shaped slot. The steering wheel is multifunctional, and rotating wheels are very comfortable.
Strongly broken front and rear glasses, low roof of a classic silhouette satellites. Despite the fact that the roof is compared with the previous XK, above 20 mm, for some time does not leave the feeling that it slightly presses. However, in any case, no inconvenience is connected with this, and in the end such landing begins to be perceived as the only true one. By the way, I strongly run forward, I will inform you that in the version of the Convertible (article about it you will find in the next issue of the magazine), spaces above your head is significantly more. However, back to ergonomics. The concise design of the central console has a justification of a practical sense. The center is a 7-inch color display with the touch-screen function. This is the main intermediary in contacts with car auxiliary systems. It is clear that some basic functions are duplicated by keys on the console, but they are a bit. The menu of the program is intuitive, it will immediately understand each, understanding English vocabulary (would translate into Russian, there was no price to the system). You can get into any subsection for two or three touch to the screen and immediately make the necessary settings. While competitors are fighting over the rotating wipers and the controls of the interfaces of their multimedia shells, Jaguar applied an elegant solution that, by the way, for a long time, no revelation for anyone.
XK chairs are simple only in appearance. They fix the body. They are canceled, the range of electrical adjustments is widely. You can change the degree of lateral support, which is rolled up with special pumps (when weakening the grip, the chair, like a living, barely audibly exhales). Gentlemen, who launched the motors of their racing Jaguar, probably pleased the sound with which the 4.2-liter eight xk is starting. Sound exhaust system is more than serious! At idle turns, the engine Basovito tambourity, but it is worth setting up a gas, and he will publish an uterine angry roar, and everything around will involuntarily turn around, shuddering. A serious sound is a sign of uncommon chassis. Well, you need to check what the HC is capable on the go.
The coupe is based on the all-metal carrier body from aluminum. The technology of its manufacture is called Jaguars Lightweight Vehicle Technology. In the same principle, a representative sedan XJ was made, but for XK, the technology was improved. It turned out extremely light and rigid on twisting design. XK body, according to his creators, is 31% tougher than the predecessor, and 90% of the modern competitors, in addition, the car is easier than rivals by an average of 180 kg. Pendant independent, each wheel on double transverse levers. The operation of active shock absorbers controls the electronics This CATS system (Computer Active Technology Suspension). Racks are equipped with valves by means of which stiffness changes. Unlike the previous XK, where the characteristics of the shock absorbers could only change in pairs on the same axis, in the new version there is a separate control of each shock absorber.
Automatic gearbox, in theory, should not attract attention, but how its work is organized, makes it makes it up. Switching occur very quickly. This is especially noticeable when the accelerator pedal is recessed to the floor. The tachometer arrow is collected to the red zone, falls and immediately repeats the route. But most of all the automatic transmission struck the work on ahead when the driver squeezes the maximum from the car. With intense slowing down, the automatic with the help of an electronic-controlled throttle instantly makes low-altitude transmissions, which is accompanied by short verified penalties! Undoubtedly, this is the most racing machine from all that I dealt with. Drive are convenient switches for manual control of the box. 
In the movement of Jaguar XK a multi-picker car. He understands the driver's mood and is successfully adjusted to him. So, the HC can be extremely impuluate. The engine will be cooled under the base exhaust on low revs, the machine will pretend to be a variator, the shock absorbers are sorely and gently become working out, and the sounds of the surrounding world will turn out effective noise insulation. The picture of relaxation and comfort will be completed slightly recapined accelerator drive responses. But it is worth moving the left selector to the left, turn off the stabilization system (you can half off the anti-slip TRAC DSC halfway) and dramatically drown the gas pedal, as the beast is being attached, the muscles will rush and rushing forward. The fuel response will become a lightning room, the transmission selected by automatically will always provide the maximum torque. Rose stiffness of shock absorbers, more clearly and sharper will be the car reaction.
Cooking around the city, I realized that I studied the car far from the full program in the city it is simply impossible. This coupe needs air, space, you need a high-speed rustic track. That night I made a bitter to the area, overcoming a total of about 200 km. First, it was rushed along the even multibound Kiev highway. At high speed, the coupe showed excellent stability, as well as a tendency to distort the reality, it seems that the speed of about 140 km / h, and on the speedometer 190! Having rolled to Vnukovo and back, I went towards Dmitrov. The highway of the same name pleases a good coating and high-speed viys. What pleasure to fly turns on this super-jaguar! It is a feline gently and tenaciously keeps the road cover, clearly prescribes arcs and correctly worries irregularities, while remaining on the faithful trajectory. 
The brake system was tested together with others on the legendary Nürburgring, and there were no complaints about the test. This big cat is good in all its manifestations! Adaptive lighting turned out: Headlight diffusers turn to a certain angle, and if necessary, additional sections of lateral lighting are included. The new XK car created by perfectionists for those who appreciate the style, quality, tradition, but not frightened and the newest technologies. Holding to the future, XK did not forget about his roots!
Prices and equipment Jaguar XK
The price of a coupe in the basic equipment with a motor 4.2 liters (300 hp) and a 6-speed automaton is $ 132,500. Equipment includes airbags and side curtains, ABS, EDB, Brake Assist, power steering with a variable characteristic, electronic Parking brake, DSC and Trac DSC, Separate climate control, audio system with steering wheel control, bi-xenon swivel lights, headlight washers, light and rain heated, heated seats, heated engine, anti-theft system with immobilizer, alloy wheels R18 (Rubber 245 / 40 Front and 275/40 Behind), Navigation System (Europe) with Touch-Screen monitor, CD changer on 6 disks, preparation for installing the phone, Bluetooth, salon decoration Waln tree, rear parking sensors.
After surcharge, you can get an improved audio system, front parking sensors, without key access, adaptive headlight, wheels R19 (as on a test instance), tire pressure control sensor, steering wheel with combined trim (leather / wood) and heated, stiffery CATS shock absorbers, etc.
Text: Leonty Tyteleev
A source: Motor magazine [June 2006]
