This is Jaguar’s new XK coupe, caught completely undisguised while testing in the UK ahead of next week’s official debut. As well as the obvious bodywork changes, the mid-life changes will include a raft of all-new engines, including a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel and a brace of direct-injection 5.0 V8s.
I spy a new front bumper on this tweaked-and-tucked Jaguar XK…
You do. The oval grille remains with an oblong air intake below, but there are now two new vertical (and chrome-highlighted) slats just below two bulging ‘eyebrows’.
The wing mirrors feature integrated indicators, while at the back you’ll find XF-inspired LED rear lights. But you won’t find that horrible 1980s-era pop-up aerial – it’s been replaced by a shark-fin aerial about the boot spoiler. About time too…
What about inside and under the bonnet?
Peer into the XK’s interior and you’ll spy the Jaguar Drive dial used to select the gears. It’s lifted from the XF, as is the latest multimedia system to control nav, climate and aural entertainment.
Under the pop-up bonnet of the car in our pictures you’ll find Jaguar’s new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8 (4997cc to be exact). We scoop the non-supercharged regular XK here with a mere 400bhp, but a V8 with a blower will produce 500bhp for the XKR. The XKR (along with the XF-R) will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show on 12 January 2009.
The facelifted XK will also see the introduction of the first diesel engine for Jaguar’s coupe/convertible range. Using the recently introduced twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, the oil-burner should produce 271bhp and 443lb ft, though a lower-power 236bhp version may be launced later if Coventry feels the need to chase volume.
In the aluminium XK expect the 271bhp engine to help the car sprint to 60mph in under six seconds, do a limited 155mph top speed, return over 45mpg on the combined cycle and pump out less than 180g/km. Pretty impressive figures for Jag’s first diesel sports car, we’d say.
