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By Anita LienertDetroit Newspapers
June 21, 2006
They photographed people and their cars and then asked a group of students to try to match them up. Most of the time, they were right on, pairing up wealthy, older drivers with BMWs and Audis, and linking younger drivers to their Fords and Volkswagens. Participants got the correct answer almost 70 percent of the time, leading the researchers to conclude that it was easier to match people with their cars than to match people with their dogs. To me, it's no surprise that your car says a lot about your image. That's why a certain amount of care must be exercised if you're thinking seriously about shelling out $75,000-plus for the redesigned 2007 Jaguar XK coupe, the latest descendant of the storied Jaguar E-Type and a controversial, if not tepid, offering that has been likened to everything from a glorified Ford Taurus to a poor man's Aston Martin DB7. Think of the confusion that the XK's identity crisis could stir up with onlookers, not just at rest stops, but in your own driveway. I recently spent a week in a "radiance red" XK that was beefed up with a $2,500 advanced technology package, which included adaptive headlights, and a $3,300 luxury options package that included a heated steering wheel and aluminum alloy wheels. Bottom line: $81,300, including a $665 destination charge. The 2+2 XK has a base price of $75,500, including shipping, and is on sale now. That is a $5,000 price hike over the outgoing '06 XK8. When I ran down the list of vehicles that compete with the new XK, it included everything from the Porsche 911 and the BMW 6-Series to the Chevrolet Corvette. Of the bunch, the Jaguar, with its sleek lines, long hood, side vents and gaping grille, comes off as the most feminine in flavor and feel, with no rough edges. Even though the company literature describes the car as "the most technologically advanced Jaguar ever," it doesn't feel like a science experiment -- and it doesn't even have adjustable cup holders. In fact, maybe because the XK looks so evolutionary, it comes off having something of an old-fashioned feel that's part romance, part old money and part Ford parts bin. If you believe the critics, the British marque was too conservative and almost timid in the sports car's redesign, opting for an evolutionary approach, rather than revolutionary one. If you're looking to shake things up, the polished XK probably won't punch your buttons, and if you're looking for the most performance car for the money, I'd suggest sticking with the homegrown Corvette. In practical terms, I had a couple of visibility problems with the UK-built Jaguar's new design. The narrow backlight and thick rear pillars block the view, and you have to exercise some care when turning left because the left side-view mirror can obstruct your vision, too. On the plus side, I was impressed with the high quality of workmanship in the XK, a bugaboo on previous Jaguars. The cabin of my test car was swathed in what seemed like acres of caramel leather. The front seats were comfortable, with such top-drawer touches as power adjustable side bolsters on the seat back to hold you in place when cornering. And the steering-wheel controls used elegant, knurled knobs that had a rich, satisfying feel. Wood trim in the cabin is a no-cost option, which seems somewhat odd in a luxury car; mine was outfitted with a rather old-fashioned burl veneer. I also liked the new instrument cluster, which features a high-resolution color display based on thin-film transistor technology. The display is split into several zones, which are surprisingly intuitive to use and show such information as fuel level and gear selection. A house icon takes you back to the home page on the screen, where it's easy to begin again without being too distracted to pay attention to the road. And despite the car's slim lines and the fact that there is virtually no room for rear passengers, the trunk is big enough to hold two suitcases. There's very little to gripe about when it comes to the XK's road manners. For a sports car, it is powerful and very easy to drive, gets decent fuel economy and proved to be a wonderful companion on long trips. The rear-wheel-drive Jaguar coupe is equipped with Jaguar's superb twin-cam 4.2-liter V-8. The engine delivers 300 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque and is powered up via a pushbutton start. It is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes. The XK feels pretty energetic, but not nearly as muscular as a Corvette, which pulls a lusty 400 horsepower from its beefy 6.0-liter V-8. Jaguar says the XK coupe reaches 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 5.9 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour. I say it's a confidence-inspiring performer when you're trying to merge or pass on the freeway. Another plus is the fuel economy. The new XK returns 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, which is not bad for a performance car with a V-8 and automatic. The XK has a new all-aluminum chassis, which is stiffer and lighter than the car's predecessor. I found the ride to be supple and comfortable, with none of the stiff or bouncy feel that you sometimes get in a sports car. Standard speed-sensitive steering helps you feel connected to the road. Safety features are just what you'd expect in this price category and include standard antilock brakes, a dynamic stability control system that keeps you from fishtailing on wet or icy roads and side air bags. As I ended my week in the new XK, I read a comment by David Jones, the CEO of Jaguar's advertising agency, Euro RSCG Fuel Worldwide. In reference to the XK, he said that "this is a world where 'gorgeous' is in danger of dropping off the agenda." If that description suits you, the XK may be a solid choice. But if you're looking for macho, groundbreaking or mind-blowing, better keep shopping.
Find a USED 2007 XK for SaleFind used car inventory in your area.
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