Jaguar's models lineup is completed with the XK Convertible: from the Coupé version it borrows the same design philosophy, together with the lightweight technology. It will be available with a fabric roof only, in order to maintain the exterior lines and the luggage space.

Jaguar XK: Exterior Design

The new XK is more assertive and sportier than the model it replaces: in hard-top guise it has classic, ground-hugging Coupe proportions, with a long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and rear window, arch-filling wheels, and minimal overhangs.

The front-wing power vents are a new Jaguar styling signature recently seen on the special edition XJ Super V8 Portfolio.

The oval grille opening, prominent bonnet power-bulge and practicality-enhancing rear Liftback all echo the classic E-type, while details like the sweeping front and rear light shapes and powerful stance catapult Jaguar sports car design into the 21st century.

Jaguar XK renderings show the inspiration from the past

Inside the new XK, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary luxury materials, like finely stitched leather, contrast with a choice of more high-tech trim surfaces including metallic finishes.

The layout is driver-focussed and sporty, with excellent ergonomics and body-hugging seats, set low against the high waistline to give a strong ‘cockpit’ feel. With the new XK’s longer wheelbase, wider track and taller roofline, the 2+2 layout has significantly more interior space for front seat occupants than the XK that it replaces.

Jaguar XK Convertible

Both the Coupe and Convertible forms were developed in parallel under one umbrella programme. The decision to give the Convertible version a classic soft-top rather than a folding hard-top means the open option offers exactly the same 2+2 seating layout, without compromising the lines of the rear body, the strong, rising waistline or the light weight of the car.

The roof is made with fully-lined triple-layer to achieve good wind and road noise isolation. It opens in less than 18 seconds, and when dropped it stows below an aluminium tonneau cover without intrusion into the large luggage space. Furthermore, the loadspace can be increased by 83 litres by stowing the retractable loadspace separator when the Convertible roof is up. The use of a soft-top has also allowed the exterior body to be designed with much cleaner lines and a relatively low deck, meaning the door waistline can be carried right through the vehicle from the front of the car to the tail.

The rear window is toughened glass, with a heating element, and is bonded into the roof. The door glass automatically drops slightly as the doors are closed, and rises again to seal inside the roof water channels. Additionally, the Convertible’s rear windows can be lowered even when the roof is up.

The soft-top is raised and lowered by a single press of a button, using hydraulic actuators and electronic controls. It can even be operated on the move, at speeds up to 10mph. It will go from fully open to fully closed in under 18 seconds, which includes automatically raising the side windows and rear quarter glasses at the end of the cycle.

When the soft-top is up, the profile has sleek, elegant lines and the ‘C’ pillar area visually fits comfortably over the rear wheels. Attention to detail is continued with a chrome finishing strip fitted to the door capping and continuing around the soft-top base.

The all-new XK was created by Jaguar’s design team under the leadership of Design Director Ian Callum.The new XK’s lines are bold and beautiful, powerful but elegant. In Ian Callum’s words, it looks "just like a Jaguar should – powerful and exciting. That power comes from a sense of tension, muscle and form and is very much part of the new design language we are creating."

The new XK Coupé and Convertible

That new language begins with the proportions and stance, which are different from those of the previous XK. The new car sits on a longer wheelbase but it has markedly shorter overhangs, so it is very little longer overall. Its width, strong, high waistline and short, powerful haunches give an impression of a car crouched ready for action. With its dynamic bonnet and roof lines it looks much more compact, more contemporary, and extremely muscular and athletic - suggesting movement, power and agility even when it is stationary.

Although the new XK looks very compact, it has good luggage space. The rear overhang is 122mm shorter than on the previous XK, but the rear luggage volume is only 8 litres less, or actually 22 litres more when the optional runflat tyres are specified – and of course it has gained the enormous benefit of the all-new Liftback design, which provides excellent access to the loadspace area. The Convertible will also carry two medium sized golf bags.

"I am very proud of the new XK," says Ian Callum. "It is contemporary with wonderful modern proportions yet we have succeeded in integrating design cues from our heritage. The front grille, for example, is pure E-type, and makes the perfect statement that this is, first and foremost, a Jaguar."

Technical Details

The XK Convertible uses the same advanced aluminum body structure technology to achieve excellent body rigidity and torsional stiffness while minimizing weight: at just 3759lbs the new Convertible is one of the lightest cars in its competitive set.

A 300 HP, 4.2-liter V8 engine and Jaguar Sequential Shift steering-wheel-mounted gear change controls allow to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds), while the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph (250kmh).

The XK Convertible will be available from spring 2006. Full details of the car and pricing will be announced later this year.

(Source: Jaguar)