RE: Jag XK ragtop emerges
Friday 13th January 2006
Jag XK ragtop emerges
New boulevard cruiser on show in Brussels
We've all seen the new Jaguar XK by now, either in the metal or in pictures -- but the convertible is only just emerging. PHer Jo Hemelsoet snapped the new soft-top at the Brussels Motor Show.
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Using the same aluminium bodyshell technology as the coupé, the Ian Callum-designed smooth-mobile weighs 1,635Kg -- an improvement on its predecessor which weighs 1,775Kg.
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Performance is said to be six seconds to 60mph from the familiar 300bhp 4.2-litre V8, only 0.1 seconds behind the hard-top, driving into a sequential shift 'box operated by steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Like its good-looking coupé sibling, it'll include technologies such as keyless entry, push button start and active lighting. The roof is made of triple-lined fabric and stows out of sight under a tonneau.
Related story
Discussion
I won letter of the month in Car magazine twelve months ago when the new XK first appeared, based on my comment that the XK was a lazy re-work of the DB9 ("Its the same Effin Car" for anyone that reads Car magazine). BTW - if you do, don't be fooled by the 'letter of the month winner gets a PS2 and a copy of GT4' nonsense. A year down the road I still haven't got my PS2 despite several emails to/from Car and a face to face chat with Jason Barlow at Goodwood mid-year. Talk about destroying the faith of a 20+ year Car reader and subscriber ...
Now, there's nothing wrong with the new XK looking like the gorgeous DB9 (but it was a cop-out cost-saving exercise), but with the transition to the convertible they'ce somehow lost some of the glamour and style of the coupe. Some may not appreciate the Hyundai comments, but if the cap fits.
And that interior - has anyone ever seen that light burr wood look good in a car? Why build a car that could move Jaguar on and open up a whole new raft of customers and then lumber (sorry ...) it with that tacky rubbish wood. And suddenly the gaping grill opening just looks wrong.
Jaguar is in a lot of trouble at the moment. Messing up the XK opportunity won't help it.
>> Edited by vinceh on Friday 13th January 15:48
Now, there's nothing wrong with the new XK looking like the gorgeous DB9 (but it was a cop-out cost-saving exercise), but with the transition to the convertible they'ce somehow lost some of the glamour and style of the coupe. Some may not appreciate the Hyundai comments, but if the cap fits.
And that interior - has anyone ever seen that light burr wood look good in a car? Why build a car that could move Jaguar on and open up a whole new raft of customers and then lumber (sorry ...) it with that tacky rubbish wood. And suddenly the gaping grill opening just looks wrong.
Jaguar is in a lot of trouble at the moment. Messing up the XK opportunity won't help it.
>> Edited by vinceh on Friday 13th January 15:48
silverspeed said:
Didn't know Hyundai made rag tops?
Amazing - some people think it looks like an Aston and some like a Hyundai. Perhaps it looks like a Jaguar?
If the XK8 is to be seen as the mutant spawn of an Aston/Hyundai coupling, maybe that is what a Jaguar should be thought of these days. Thinking about it, that's not a bad explanation.
I should declare my cards as someone that wants Jaguar to do well. The first car I ever got sideways was a Series 3 XJ12 saloon. A truly beautiful car of its day
>> Edited by vinceh on Friday 13th January 17:00
vinceh said:
I won letter of the month in Car magazine twelve months ago when the new XK first appeared, based on my comment that the XK was a lazy re-work of the DB9 ("Its the same Effin Car" for anyone that reads Car magazine). BTW - if you do, don't be fooled by the 'letter of the month winner gets a PS2 and a copy of GT4' nonsense. A year down the road I still haven't got my PS2 despite several emails to/from Car and a face to face chat with Jason Barlow at Goodwood mid-year. Talk about destroying the faith of a 20+ year Car reader and subscriber ...
Now, there's nothing wrong with the new XK looking like the gorgeous DB9 (but it was a cop-out cost-saving exercise), but with the transition to the convertible they'ce somehow lost some of the glamour and style of the coupe. Some may not appreciate the Hyundai comments, but if the cap fits.
And that interior - has anyone ever seen that light burr wood look good in a car? Why build a car that could move Jaguar on and open up a whole new raft of customers and then lumber (sorry ...) it with that tacky rubbish wood. And suddenly the gaping grill opening just looks wrong.
Jaguar is in a lot of trouble at the moment. Messing up the XK opportunity won't help it.
>> Edited by vinceh on Friday 13th January 15:48
Think you should tell it like it is, Vince...
Gorgeous looking car!
Awesome technological advance by Jaguar. At last a new generation vehicle that gets substantially LIGHTER.
Terrific performance as well (and remember, this is the 'base model')
Imagine what the XKR will look like and perform like.
Light years ahead of any offerings by BMW MB VAG
Good luck Jaguar!
Awesome technological advance by Jaguar. At last a new generation vehicle that gets substantially LIGHTER.
Terrific performance as well (and remember, this is the 'base model')
Imagine what the XKR will look like and perform like.
Light years ahead of any offerings by BMW MB VAG
Good luck Jaguar!
Spend time looking into the facts rather than reacting on impulse and you will realise that there are three interior trim options - brushed aluminum, burr walnut, and the pale wood trim that appears to have caused some controversy. Also, as for the Hyundai comments, maybe these people should take time out to look at the overtly Ferrari-esque and over detailed styling of the Hyundai coupe and then compare realistically to the clean, sharp, expressive lines of the XK. And as for comparing to the Aston, I have never heard anyone sitting in a bar moaning, "I love my girlfriend, its just such a shame she looks so much like Cameron Diaz".
DannyT said:
Spend time looking into the facts rather than reacting on impulse and you will realise that there are three interior trim options - brushed aluminum, burr walnut, and the pale wood trim that appears to have caused some controversy. Also, as for the Hyundai comments, maybe these people should take time out to look at the overtly Ferrari-esque and over detailed styling of the Hyundai coupe and then compare realistically to the clean, sharp, expressive lines of the XK. And as for comparing to the Aston, I have never heard anyone sitting in a bar moaning, "I love my girlfriend, its just such a shame she looks so much like Cameron Diaz".
Blimey - I think I've just been patronised. I think you are missing the point, Danny. Shouldn't Jaguar be innovating? Wouldn't it be great if they were offering something new and original? Something us patriotic Brits could be proud of? I hate Bangle's decimation of the BMW range, but for heaven's sake it is original and forward thinking, and has even made plagiarists out of Mercedes. I for one would love to want to buy a Jaguar.
And again for the record, I love having wood in the car. :-) Just not that hideous stuff.
>> Edited by vinceh on Friday 13th January 19:38
Well, it looks like Ford has finally left it's mark on the Jag. You don't suppose they're going to sell this under the Tauras nameplate here in the States do you? Or perhaps they're going to sell it with a badge change-over somewhere within the Mazda lineup.
I just have one word for it.............."hideous"
Dogsharks
I just have one word for it.............."hideous"
Dogsharks
800 said:
Gorgeous looking car!
Awesome technological advance by Jaguar. At last a new generation vehicle that gets substantially LIGHTER.
Terrific performance as well (and remember, this is the 'base model')
Imagine what the XKR will look like and perform like.
Light years ahead of any offerings by BMW MB VAG
Good luck Jaguar!
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