The Crittenden Automotive Library

The Jaguar XK - Refreshed With New Models.

Topics: Jaguar XK

The Jaguar XK - Refreshed With New Models.

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
January 22, 2014

The first Jaguar car to be created under the leadership of Design Director Ian Callum, the dramatic and purposeful XK, is receiving a number of additions for the 2015 model year that add to its palette of impressive performance technologies and luxury features. Two special edition models will be available in exclusive Signature and Dynamic R specifications. The 2015 Model Year XK line-up now comprises

Signature, Dynamic R and R-S derivatives.

The luxury focused XK Signature model – with a 385PS 5.0L V8 engine – is fitted with a host of additional features including standard 20” Kalimnos wheels and Reverse Park Camera, while the performance focused 510PS 5.0L supercharged XK Dynamic R – based on the existing XKR – offers Black Dynamic Pack, which incorporates XKR-S suspension and dynamics and a 10mm reduction in ride height, plus Speed Pack, which equips the car with an Aerodynamic Pack and an increased top speed of 174mph. A Performance Active Exhaust is also standard equipment. First deliveries to UK customers of the new XK Signature and Dynamic R editions are expected in March.

XK POWERTRAIN AND DYNAMICS

Jaguar sports cars have a reputation for blending athletic high-performance with effortless cruising comfort. Nothing exemplifies this dual character more clearly than the supercharged 5.0L V8 engine fitted to both XK special edition cars.

Now in its third generation, this engine offers not only tremendous power but also great efficiency by incorporating the very latest technology including spray-guided direct injection (SGDI) and dual independent variable cam timing (DIVCT). Like the car itself, the engine is constructed from high-grade, lightweight aluminium, which in the cylinder heads is recycled to reduce the environmental impact of manufacture.

The XK Signature can reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds in coupé guise, and 5.3 seconds for the convertible, each car producing a meaty 515Nm of torque. The top speed for both variants is electronically limited to 155mph and both cars produce just 264 g/km of CO2. The XK Dynamic R’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8, offers power and torque figures of 510PS and 625Nm respectively, taking the car to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds with a limited top speed of 174mph. Extremely powerful but also efficient, the XK Dynamic R emits 292g/km of CO2.

Both XK Dynamic R and Signature models are fitted with a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles, which control the Jaguar Sequential Shift function for greater driver control.

The supercharged XK Dynamic R edition also benefits from Jaguar's Active Differential Control technology. This uses a multiplate clutch to vector torque to the driven wheel with the most grip. Allied to ABS and stability control, this allows for the ultimate in traction and precision both mid-corner and at its exit. The XK Signature model uses a mechanical differential, which delivers outstanding levels of grip and stability under power. Both cars feature Dynamic Stability Control system, which offers four modes: Normal, Winter, TracDSC and DSC Off, allowing the enthusiastic driver to choose the level of intervention dependent on road conditions.

The double wishbone front suspension on both cars features a fully-machined steering knuckle which significantly increases camber and castor stiffness by 0.13 degrees per kilo Newton, to transform the accuracy and weighting of the steering for greater levels of connection, feedback and precision. Rear suspension geometry benefits from rear wheel steer - optimised for maximum agility.

The XK Dynamic R features as standard the Black Dynamic Pack – incorporating suspension technology from the XKR-S – which adds a stiffer knuckle for improved steering precision, uprated spring and damper settings and Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics system, which performs three main functions; controlling vertical body movement, roll and pitch rates. One hundred times every second, Adaptive Dynamics analyses the thousands of inputs and variables which determine ride and handling characteristics. Additionally, the XK Dynamic R’s ride height is lowered by 10mm, giving the car more of an assertive presence on the road. The

Dynamic R also comes as standard with Speed Pack, which increases the maximum speed from 155mph to an electronically limited 174mph. In addition to the increased maximum speed, the pack also includes a body-coloured Aerodynamic Pack with front splitter and larger rear spoiler, as well as a body-coloured rear diffuser and side sill extensions. A Performance Active Exhaust is also fitted as standard.

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DETAILS

Standard on the XK Signature are Luxury seats available in Ivory or Charcoal soft grain leather. The interior also features Canvas Suede cloth headlining, Figured Ebony veneers and Bright Metal sport pedals. The XK Dynamic R boasts Jaguar’s new diamond sewn Performance seat in either Ivory/Charcoal soft grain leather with Ivory contrast stitch or Charcoal/Red soft grain leather with Red contrast stitch leather. Featuring integrated head restraints and increased lateral and squab support, the new seats hold driver and passenger securely and comfortably in place. The 16-way adjustment of squab, cushion, lumbar and bolster elements is supplemented by memory and heating functions. The interior Jet Suede cloth headliner is complemented with Piano Black veneers. Bright Metal sport pedals are also fitted as standard.

The central seven-inch touch-screen provides an intuitive interface for the extensive technology that is seamlessly incorporated into the XK, including iPod and USB connectivity and satellite navigation with DVD mapping. The central screen also projects the image from the new Reverse Park Camera, which is fitted as standard to both special edition cars.

The XK Signature comes with 20’’ Kalimnos wheels as standard, with 20” Takoba wheels available as an option, while the XK Dynamic R has 20” Vortex diamond turned wheels – with distinctive Red painted brake callipers – and the option of 20” Vulcan Gloss Black lightweight alloys. Both the XK Signature and Dynamic R editions are available with a choice of exterior body colours – Polaris White, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Italian Racing Red, Dark Sapphire and British Racing Green.