Jaguar appears to be treading a fine line between retro-flavoured styling and state-of-the-art technology with the introduction of its 2010 model year XK Grand Tourer.

Sticking to the adage that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", Jaguar has only made a couple of subtle changes to the exterior styling of the XK. That means you still get the long nose, sweeping roof and muscular haunches that have made the Ian Cullum-styled car such a head-turner. The changes arrive in the shape of a new front bumper (the lower section of which features a chrome mesh on the XKR), restyled side mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters, a revised rear valance, distinctive LED brake lights, and colour-coded side vents.

The interior has similarly undergone more of an evolution in terms of changes over the existing model. The most noteworthy of which is the inclusion of the XF's rotary JaguarDrive gear selector. That means you'll still find figure-hugging leather seats with 10-way electrical adjustment, and a wealth of high-quality cabin finishes including walnut and knurled aluminium facia trims and stitched leather adorning many of the door and facia-top surfaces.

Under the skin, the XK is underpinned by a strong, yet lightweight, aluminium and alloy composite chassis riveted and bonded together using aerospace-inspired technology. This, combined with new engines built around an all-aluminium block, endows the XK with a good degree of torsional rigidity that ensures a fine balance between refined cruising and spirited driving are well within this car's sphere of ability.

It's in the engine bay that the most dramatic changes have taken place. The 4,2-litre AJ V8 engine makes way for an all-new lightweight 5,0-litre V8 in two states of tuning. The normally-aspirated version develops 283 kW and 515 N.m of torque - good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5,5 seconds. The XKR features a supercharged version of this third-generation AJ V8 which develops 375 kW and 625 N.m of torque, propelling the XKR to 100 km/h in just 4,8 seconds. Both engines are electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Both engines conform to stringent EU 5 and US ULEV2 emissions regulations, with the XK emitting 264g of CO2 per kilometre and the XKR 292 g/km. The supercharged engine features a high efficiency twin vortex supercharger to ensure an even spread of power, while the normally-aspirated unit's variable-geometry inlet manifold and cam profile switching further increases low- and high-end torque.

Jaguar's electronically-controlled 6-speed automatic transmission features steering wheel-mounted paddles and, in the XKR, an uprated torque converter and additional clutch plates to accommodate the extra power produced by the supercharged unit.

Another feature unique to the XKR is the new Active Differential Control (ADC), which is designed to give improved traction and dynamic stability. The electronically controlled differential continuously adapts to both the driver input and the amount of grip available at each individual wheel. Operated by an internal electric motor and ‘ball-and-ramp' mechanism, the differential contains a multi-plate clutch that transfers torque to the wheel with most grip to maximises traction. The multi-plate clutch assembly is designed to prevent excessive differential slip, but differs fundamentally from a conventional traction control system, which uses the brakes to counteract differential slip, after it has occurred.

Both naturally aspirated and supercharged versions of the new 5,0-litre V8 engine come with extended service intervals - now at one year or 24 000 km rather than 16 000 km. All new XKs now feature oil quality and brake pad wear indicators, allowing those critical areas to be easily monitored on a regular basis by the driver. And in the event of an accident, bolt-on front and rear sections to help minimise repair costs.

Pricing

Jaguar XK 5,0 - R990 000

Jaguar XK 5,0 Convertible - R1 070 000

Jaguar XKR - R1 170 000

Jaguar XKR Convertible - R1 250 000

 

Original article from Car