EDMUNDS.COM 2005 JAGUAR XK-SERIES
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Smooth, sleek and sexy, the XK maintains considerable appeal despite its advanced age.
Pros
Divine exterior shape, smooth V8 engine, good balance between luxury and performance.
Cons
Some low-grade interior materials, cowl shake in the convertible, useless rear seats.
What''s New for 2005
Subtle refinements for the XK-Series this year include freshened exterior styling elements, new wheel designs and a standard driver-controlled automatic speed limiter.
Overview
Introduction:
When Ford acquired struggling Jaguar in late 1989, no one could have predicted the modern-day reformation that is now upon us. Jaguar had been cranking out luxury sedans along with the aged XJS for years under the management of British Leyland Motors, and more recently, as an independent company. Under the guidance of the Blue Oval, the XK was unleashed upon the world and heralded a new era for the British brand. When Jaguar introduced its XK coupe in 1996, hearts quavered and salivary glands went into overdrive as we witnessed one of the most beautiful vehicles ever introduced. Replacing the 21-year-old XJS, the XK hearkened back to the sinuous lines of the spicy E-Type and XK120 (the former residing in the Museum of Modern Art as an example of the pinnacle of automotive design). Also debuting was the impressive AJ-V8 engine, only the fourth all-new engine in Jaguar''s history, which is the unit that powers the current XJ8 and S-Type 4.2. Like other Jaguars, the XK coupe and convertible offer a more luxurious driving experience than a sporting one. If you can envision yourself seated in the soft leather driver seat, surrounded by rich wood surfaces, while enjoying a smooth ride down a coastal highway and the purr of the V8, you won''t be disappointed in the least.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Available as a coupe or a convertible, the XK offers a lengthy list of standard equipment. Among the highlights are 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, 12-way power-heated seats with memory for the driver, automatic climate control, reverse-parking sensors, one-touch power windows and a 320-watt Alpine stereo with a six-disc CD changer in the trunk. The convertible has a power-operated top. Options include xenon headlamps, adaptive cruise control and a DVD-based navigation system.
Powertrains and Performance:
All XKs get a smooth 4.2-liter V8 engine rated for 294 horsepower and 303 pound-feet of torque. A standard six-speed automatic transmission routes power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy is good for a V8-powered car -- expect about 18 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Reining in the horses are four-wheel ventilated disc brakes at all four corners, supplemented by ABS and BrakeAssist. Stability and traction control are standard, as are seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants. Missing from the equipment list of this $70,000 vehicle are side curtain airbags and a rollover protection system for the convertible. The XK has not been crash tested.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The 4.2-liter V8 offers plenty of acceleration in just about any situation, and the six-speed automatic delivers smooth shifts without fail. The double-wishbone suspension provides a luxurious, well-controlled ride that is perfect for highway cruising. Want to take a quick drive up the coast or into the mountains with that special someone? We can think of few cars more romantic than an XK8. At the same time, those who want a sporting driving experience should look elsewhere at cars like the Mercedes SL500, Cadillac XLR or even Jaguar''s own performance-tuned XKR.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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