The XKR features an inflated supercharged version of the same engine that creates 420 hp and 412 lb-ft of torque. During testing, we accelerated the coupe from zero to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, whilst the convertible sprinted in 6.3 seconds. Our test of an XKR Convertible revealed an occasion of 4.9 seconds at 0-60, and the coupe was a couple of clicks faster. The typical 2023 Jaguar XK is powered by way of a 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 300 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. Power is provided for a corner wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
Its first postwar offering was 1948’s Mark V. The true luxury sedan was joined that year by the XK 120, a sports car that has been the fastest production automobile of its day — its name indicating its top speed. Created just for the American market, the Mark VII Saloon was introduced in 1951 and was a winner with stateside motorists. In 1956, the vehicle took the prize at the Monte Carlo Rally. The XK 120 proved quite popular and Jaguar XK helped Jaguar set up a strong presence in the low rider market. By the 1950s, Jaguar had begun exporting luxury vehicles to the United States. Meanwhile, the XK became the XK 140 as performance increased. After World War II, SS Cars switched its moniker to Jaguar whilst never to be related to the Nazi paramilitary organization that bore exactly the same initials. Then came the XK 150 which was obviously even faster, though nearly as curvaceously alluring because the 120/140 models. Later in the decade, Jaguar added the Mark VIII and Mark IX to its lineup.
At one point, the XJ12 was the fastest production sedan of its day. Without much capital to work well with to improve matters, the business decided to pursue a partnership with another company. This decision ultimately resulted in a full buyout of Jaguar by Ford in 1990. Increased competition from German automakers and adverse exchange rates didn’t help matters either. Ten years later, Jaguar introduced the XJ6C and XJ12C coupes to join the sedans. By the mid-’70s the lovely E-Type was replaced by the relatively bland XJ-S. The 1980s saw Jaguar continuing to enhance the bar in performance with the launch of the XJ-S HE and a true-world supercar, the XJ220.
By this time around, however, Jaguar’s cars had also built up a reputation for questionable reliability, electrical problems being the principle source of owners’ angst.
Standard equipment on the XK includes 18-inch wheels, adaptive suspension damping, xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, electrically heated front seats with driver memory, Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen navigation system, and an integrated six-speaker audio system. The 2023 Jaguar XK is really a luxury sports coupe and convertible obtainable in standard XK and performance-focused XKR form. The Jaguar XK is a two-door 2+2 grand tourer manufactured and marketed by British automaker Jaguar XK Cars. Six-dash CD/MP3 changer. Alongside the supercharged V8, the Jaguar XK adds 19-inch wheels, a stronger suspension with retuned adaptive settings, retuned steering, larger front brakes, adaptive headlights, a metal mesh grille, quad exhaust pipes, and more aggressively padded front seats.
This serves to bring the Jaguar into the 21st century, but some might argue that a jag-less Jag looks like a mustacheless Tom Selleck. The Jaguar XK interior is a remarkable departure from the original Jaguar look, with a contemporary dashboard design and the presence of aluminum cladding instead of wood. With an on-screen interface which was simple and intuitive in concept, but neither sensitive enough nor accurate found it frustrating in practice. Unfortunately, Jaguar’s trend towards lower-market plastics continues, adding to an overall ambiance that doesn’t quite match the purchase price tag. Also, the multi-purpose touchscreen, which controls the audio, navigation, and air-con systems, could work a bit.
The 1960s saw the launch of one of Jaguar’s most well-known models. The success of groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and icons like Twiggy the fashion model made British culture a warm commodity during the ’60s — a well known fact that likely had positive implications for Jaguar’s popularity in the U.S. The newest sports vehicle, available as whether coupe or convertible, provided performance and refinement wrapped up in an unquestionably sexy package. The E-Type (or XK-E because it was known in the U.S.) debuted for 1961.
Ford’s influence (and financial support) was evident with the 1997 launch of Jaguar’s XK8 and supercharged XKR sports cars. A couple of years later, Jaguar made an effort to broaden its product line with the introduction of a lower-priced, entry-luxury compact sedan referred to as the X-Type. Unfortunately, this model sold poorly, as its modest European Ford sedan underpinnings proved to be a liability. Around this time, Jaguar’s old-school traditional styling grew stale as competitors moved into the brand new millennium with cutting-edge, modern designs inside and out. Powering both was Jaguar’s new AJ-V8, a compact yet powerful engine which was also used in certain Land Rover vehicles.