| Jaguar has unveiled the all-new XK at Frankfurt
in September. The car, which is based on the Advanced Lightweight Coupé
concept first unveiled at Detroit 2005, heralds a new era for Jaguar both
in terms of design and engineering, and it is the most technically advanced
Jaguar ever built.
The all-new XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, powerful,
ground-breaking sports cars, but behind its stunning looks, it bristles
with practical, intuitive, modern technology, clearly focussed on enhancing
the driving experience. It delivers significant improvements in performance,
dynamics, safety, exterior and interior design and equipment, and product
quality. When it is launched in early 2006, this first of the next generation
of Jaguars will become the sporting flagship of the Jaguar brand.
The use of beautiful lines and clean surfaces was crucial in defining
the all-new XK’s more sporting character. In Jaguar design director
Ian Callum’s says: "The fundamental values of Jaguar design
do not change – not even since Sir William Lyons created the first
Jaguar all those years ago. The entire design team worked with those values
as we looked to create a car with clean lines, a purposeful stance and
exquisite proportions. We took influences from our heritage and evolved
them to produce a car that is beautiful, visually fast yet undeniably
modern; just as Sir William's own designs were in their day."
By starting with a blank canvas, Jaguar was able to make use of the latest
aerospace technologies alongside more traditional Jaguar skills to create
a luxurious, powerful, highly advanced sports car. A major key to the
all-new XK’s character is Jaguar’s industry-leading aluminium
monocoque body structure, introduced with the latest XJ saloons.
With this unique high-tech construction method, the all-new XK’s
bodyshell is 31 per cent stiffer than the previous XK’s and significantly
offers a 10 percent improvement in power to weight ratio. The all-new
XK is up to 90 pe rcent stiffer and 180kg lighter than key rivals, with
a kerb weight of just 1595kg.
"What the team has looked to engineer is a sports car with true all-round
ability. That means it must be fast, outstandingly agile, and truly exciting
to drive. It has to go quickly, stop quickly, and do everything in between
in the way a Jaguar should. Yet it’s also a rational choice –
the all-new XK will deliver a balance of superb driving dynamics and comfort
that is the epitome of sophisticated sporting luxury," says its chief
engineer, Mike Cross, in charge of the all-new XK’s vehicle dynamics.
A convertible model will follow, though details will be announced later
this year
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