Top Gear - 2006 Jaguar XK8 REVIEW Part 2 By Jeremy Clarkson

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.

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 percent 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 percent stiffer and 180kg lighter than key rivals, with a kerb weight of just 1595kg.


ALL-NEW JAGUAR XK AT A GLANCE

All-new Jaguar XK 2+2 sports car
First of a new generation of beautiful, fast Jaguars
The most technically and technologically advanced Jaguar ever
Succeeds the Jaguar XK range introduced in 1996
All-aluminium construction forms a lightweight, incredibly stiff, strong car
All-new XK lighter than its predecessor and key rivals, at 1595kg kerb weight
Delivers a balance of superb performance, driving dynamics and Jaguar sophistication
Intuitive controls and driver-focussed technologies - such as keyless entry, push button start and active lighting - enhance driver enjoyment
Spacious, elegant sports car cabin exemplifies Jaguar craftsmanship, luxury and quality
Launched with latest generation naturally aspirated 4.2-litre Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, developing 300bhp (224kW) SAE / 298PS (219kW) EEC
New Jaguar Sequential Shift 6-speed automatic transmission system incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes
Reaches 60mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds and completes quarter mile sprint in 14.4 seconds - less than half a second off the pace of the previous 400bhp supercharged model*
Top speed of 155mph (electronically limited)