In my initial review of the new XK last May, I intimated that, with the new generation, Jaguar finally made it a proper sports car. I drove an XK convertible the other day, and I still haven't changed my mind. The XK is fast, tightly sprung and responsive, yet maintains an absolute feeling of luxury and style that makes it undeniably Jaguar. In reconstructing the XK for the new millennium, I feel Jag really hit its mark.
Doubtless some will argue the XK is not as hardcore sporty as, say, a 911, and heck, it's probably not. It's built more as a posh boulevard cruiser than a potent track-day weapon, but again, that's just more signature Jaguar. It's still pretty sporty. I did all my driving on surface streets and consequently left traction control in the 'on' position. Judging from the seat of my pants, the car feels pretty tail-happy. No doubt with the traction control switched off, you could slide this thing around for days.
There are still those who make fun of the grille and how it 'copied' that of the Ford Taurus. When people say things like that, it makes me sad and want to punch them. Saying this car looks like a Taurus is like saying Angelina Jolie looks like John Voight because she inherited his mouth. For the record, Jag chief designer, Ian Callum,claims the guy who designed the Taurus took a page out of Callum's book, so to speak. The ovoid grille is an original Callum design cue adapted from his work at Aston Martin. So there. -Karl Funke
From The Hip
+ Lively rear end, growly V8 soundtrack
- Contentious front end may cause finger-pointing
2007 Jaguar XK Convertible
Layout
Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine
4.2-liter V8, dohc, four valves per cylinder
Transmission
Six-speed automatic
Performance
Peak Power: 300 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Peak Torque: 310 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.9 sec.
Top Speed: 155 mph (limited)
Fuel Economy: 18 city/27 hwy
Price as Tested: $88,800