Jaguar: XK-Series news **Discontinued (page 6)**
07-13-2004, 11:55 AM
#41
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
but Gav, you can see the lines for the rear doors and there is no door handle.... 
That's the whole point. The XK8 is a 2 door car. This is a mule. Read the article again.
12-21-2004, 09:50 AM
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Spy Photo 1
Spy Photo 2
Spy Shots: ’06 Jaguar XK Coupe/Cabrio - - by Brenda Priddy - - Source: The Car Connection
Spy Photo 2
Spy Shots: ’06 Jaguar XK Coupe/Cabrio - - by Brenda Priddy - - Source: The Car Connection
The next-generation Jaguar XK coupe and cabrio are on their way to production - and apparently, they're getting there shrouded in black vinyl.
It was first thought that the new XK would make an appearance for the 2006 model year - and it still may - but final approval on some of the design characteristics has been slow to come and the project may be delayed six months, possibly forcing the remake to carry a 2007 model-year designation.
Codenamed X150, the new XK will be powered by a 320-hp 4.2-liter V-8, or with the supercharged XKR option, at around 450 hp. For the 2008 model year or perhaps 2009 Jaguar will add more horsepower, potentially pushing the XK to more than 500 hp total.
It was first thought that the new XK would make an appearance for the 2006 model year - and it still may - but final approval on some of the design characteristics has been slow to come and the project may be delayed six months, possibly forcing the remake to carry a 2007 model-year designation.
Codenamed X150, the new XK will be powered by a 320-hp 4.2-liter V-8, or with the supercharged XKR option, at around 450 hp. For the 2008 model year or perhaps 2009 Jaguar will add more horsepower, potentially pushing the XK to more than 500 hp total.
02-06-2005, 12:56 PM
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A Touch Of Class For Next XK - - Source: Autoexpress
Here's your chance to keep your finger on the 'Pulse' just by using the car radio! A touch-screen control system that replicates the feel of real buttons will feature in the next Jaguar XK.
The device is called PulseTouch, and it has been developed by audio firm Alpine. It also has electronic vibrations and sounds which simulate traditional controls.
PulseTouch was fitted to Jaguar's sensational Advanced Lightweight Concept (ALC), which starred at last month's Detroit Motor Show, but little was known about it until now. The Coventry firm has revealed the system will be fitted as standard on the production model - a world first.
The Alpine IVA-D300 unit is available as an aftermarket accessory, but it's not cheap at £1,499. However, the system in the ALC included previously unseen new software. A Jaguar spokesman explained: "It offers more flexibility with what can be displayed on screen, giving results similar to an Internet webpage." The two companies have worked together before. Jaguar's Eight concept, seen at last year's New York expo, featured an 860-watt Alpine sound system.
The device is called PulseTouch, and it has been developed by audio firm Alpine. It also has electronic vibrations and sounds which simulate traditional controls.
PulseTouch was fitted to Jaguar's sensational Advanced Lightweight Concept (ALC), which starred at last month's Detroit Motor Show, but little was known about it until now. The Coventry firm has revealed the system will be fitted as standard on the production model - a world first.
The Alpine IVA-D300 unit is available as an aftermarket accessory, but it's not cheap at £1,499. However, the system in the ALC included previously unseen new software. A Jaguar spokesman explained: "It offers more flexibility with what can be displayed on screen, giving results similar to an Internet webpage." The two companies have worked together before. Jaguar's Eight concept, seen at last year's New York expo, featured an 860-watt Alpine sound system.
02-06-2005, 04:48 PM
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horrible. just like the headrest monitors in the long wheelbase jag, it looks tacked on. it just looks like they got some wood, cut a hole out for the alpine head unit, and stuck it in there.
02-06-2005, 04:54 PM
#52
Pit Stop?
Originally Posted by CGTSX2004
Wait, so what is this Pulse Touch exactly? 
Is it supposed to simulate tactile feels on a touchscreen?
Is it supposed to simulate tactile feels on a touchscreen?
I have the Alpine unit in question, and it basically gives you a very slight shock (much like static electricity, though FAR less severe). It lets you know that yes, you hit the button....
02-08-2005, 04:52 PM
#54
_____ like a rabbit
Originally Posted by iNteGraz92
horrible. just like the headrest monitors in the long wheelbase jag, it looks tacked on. it just looks like they got some wood, cut a hole out for the alpine head unit, and stuck it in there.
03-16-2005, 09:59 AM
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I like the curve over the rear tires. The long hood is nice (and a must). The rear glass and shape is very Aston. The way the windshield slopes upward severly, peaks, and then tapers sharply reminds me of the G35C's greenhouse.
04-11-2005, 07:10 PM
#62
It looks like an ugly Aston Martin.
04-11-2005, 07:22 PM
#64
Originally Posted by jts1207
That car is 
04-12-2005, 12:25 AM
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Looks great! The front looks like the AL Concept they showed this year and the rear looks like another concept they showed last year.
04-12-2005, 11:38 AM
#71
Originally Posted by CGTSX2004
Definitely a little too much Aston Martin. They need to differentiate the Jags and the Astons before the Aston owners get upset.
04-13-2005, 04:08 PM
#72
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Jag Builds An Aston
10 February 2005
By Robert Farago
When Jaguar unveiled its “Advanced Lightweight Coupe” (ALC) at the Detroit Auto Show, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The concept car had to mollify exasperated Ford bean counters, already thinking the unthinkable. It had to burnish the brand’s fading reputation for jaw-dropping design and innovative engineering. So, at the precise moment when Jaguar needed a major hit to rescue the brand from oblivion, the company reveals… a copy of an Aston Martin.
Anyone who can’t see the resemblance between the Jaguar ALC and the 2003 Aston Martin AMV8 concept vehicle and/or the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, anyone who couldn't guess that the same man designed all three cars, is either blind or… no, that’s it. They’re blind. Compare the rear haunches, rectangular rear windows and curvy side glass. Note the identical front and rear overhangs. The Jag’s shape, stance and detailing are so obviously Aston that the only thing stopping Aston from suing Jaguar is the fact that Ford owns both companies.
Granted, the number of Americans who’d recognize an Aston Martin is smaller than the number of Aston owners who slap on Aqua Velva. Despite the British marque's recent production ramp-up, Astons are still as rare as those hot dog shaped vehicles Oscar Mayer used to run. And let’s face it: many stunning cars “borrow” heavily from previous designs. (Jaguar's XK120 and BMW's 1940 328 are automotive doppelgangers.) So it’s possible that the ALC’s derivative design would find a receptive audience despite its provenance. Ah, but what KIND of audience?
Elderly. Don’t be fooled by all the talk about the ALC’s aluminum construction and the plan to stuff higher-powered versions of Jag’s feisty V8’s under the hood. The prototype’s size virtually guarantees that Jag's new two-seater will be another triple-XK: a pricey GT rather than a credible 911-fighter. As such, the ALC will appeal to the XK's current audience: high-maintenance women of a certain age and warm climate males more interested in their car’s impact at the country club valet stand than its ability to make short work of an open road.
In case you missed the point, the XK drop-top outsells the coupe in the US by more than two to one. Of course, at this point, Jaguar would be forgiven for taking any customers it can get. The X-type fizzled, the S-Type bombed, the XJ is barely holding the fort and the current XK has been around since, gulp, 1996. Still, by devising an XK replacement that's aimed straight at the [weak] heart of an ageing market, Jag could eventually do an Oldsmobile, and die with its core supporters.
It’s sad. Jaguar keeps chasing Mercedes SL’s and Lexus sedans with wood, leather and snob appeal. If Jag's management truly understood the marque's heritage, they'd know that Jaguar should be building simple, striking motor cars that can best the AMG, M, S and V’s of the world. They'd also direct Callum and Co. to ash-can the whole black-tie luxury limo look in favor of something elegant that looks fast standing still. Think Ford GT, with class.
Meanwhile, Jaguar needs a car on the opposite end of the scale to generate cash and attract a younger clientele. (The mini-me XJ clone, the X-Type, was so not it it's funny.) The ideal solution would be a small, fast sports car with terrific handling, superb ride quality and looks that scream “Faster Pussycat; Kill, Kill, Kill!” If a Jaguar roadster hit the $35 - $40K sweet spot, it would fly off the forecourt fast enough to whisk the salesmen’s' toupees right off their heads.
That car was the Jaguar F-Type. The brand saver was deep-sixed because someone at Jaguar figured The Blue Oval’s cash would be better spent developing diesel versions of Jaguar sedans for DERV-crazy Europeans. Huh? Modern diesel engines may match or exceed the performance capabilities of their gasoline counterparts, but they literally stink of penny-pinching practicality. If the market calls for a frugal Jag, well, the market’s wrong. Take away the Jaguar’s animal roar and you’re left with a Mercedes. (At best.) A Jag that doesn’t deliver pure, unadulterated driving pleasure is about as alluring as a Hummer that can’t go off-road.
And that’s why Jaguar is in such deep shit. They keep putting grace over pace and getting their ass kicked all over the place. Sure, I might be wrong. Despite its unmistakable Astonness, the ALC might turn out to be a proper Jag. It might have delicious steering feel, fantastic handling poise, huge horsepower, monumental torque and a world-beating interior. If so, the cat will have lost one of its lives, but survived. If not, it’s time to euthanize the old tabby.
10 February 2005
By Robert Farago
When Jaguar unveiled its “Advanced Lightweight Coupe” (ALC) at the Detroit Auto Show, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The concept car had to mollify exasperated Ford bean counters, already thinking the unthinkable. It had to burnish the brand’s fading reputation for jaw-dropping design and innovative engineering. So, at the precise moment when Jaguar needed a major hit to rescue the brand from oblivion, the company reveals… a copy of an Aston Martin.
Anyone who can’t see the resemblance between the Jaguar ALC and the 2003 Aston Martin AMV8 concept vehicle and/or the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, anyone who couldn't guess that the same man designed all three cars, is either blind or… no, that’s it. They’re blind. Compare the rear haunches, rectangular rear windows and curvy side glass. Note the identical front and rear overhangs. The Jag’s shape, stance and detailing are so obviously Aston that the only thing stopping Aston from suing Jaguar is the fact that Ford owns both companies.
Granted, the number of Americans who’d recognize an Aston Martin is smaller than the number of Aston owners who slap on Aqua Velva. Despite the British marque's recent production ramp-up, Astons are still as rare as those hot dog shaped vehicles Oscar Mayer used to run. And let’s face it: many stunning cars “borrow” heavily from previous designs. (Jaguar's XK120 and BMW's 1940 328 are automotive doppelgangers.) So it’s possible that the ALC’s derivative design would find a receptive audience despite its provenance. Ah, but what KIND of audience?
Elderly. Don’t be fooled by all the talk about the ALC’s aluminum construction and the plan to stuff higher-powered versions of Jag’s feisty V8’s under the hood. The prototype’s size virtually guarantees that Jag's new two-seater will be another triple-XK: a pricey GT rather than a credible 911-fighter. As such, the ALC will appeal to the XK's current audience: high-maintenance women of a certain age and warm climate males more interested in their car’s impact at the country club valet stand than its ability to make short work of an open road.
In case you missed the point, the XK drop-top outsells the coupe in the US by more than two to one. Of course, at this point, Jaguar would be forgiven for taking any customers it can get. The X-type fizzled, the S-Type bombed, the XJ is barely holding the fort and the current XK has been around since, gulp, 1996. Still, by devising an XK replacement that's aimed straight at the [weak] heart of an ageing market, Jag could eventually do an Oldsmobile, and die with its core supporters.
It’s sad. Jaguar keeps chasing Mercedes SL’s and Lexus sedans with wood, leather and snob appeal. If Jag's management truly understood the marque's heritage, they'd know that Jaguar should be building simple, striking motor cars that can best the AMG, M, S and V’s of the world. They'd also direct Callum and Co. to ash-can the whole black-tie luxury limo look in favor of something elegant that looks fast standing still. Think Ford GT, with class.
Meanwhile, Jaguar needs a car on the opposite end of the scale to generate cash and attract a younger clientele. (The mini-me XJ clone, the X-Type, was so not it it's funny.) The ideal solution would be a small, fast sports car with terrific handling, superb ride quality and looks that scream “Faster Pussycat; Kill, Kill, Kill!” If a Jaguar roadster hit the $35 - $40K sweet spot, it would fly off the forecourt fast enough to whisk the salesmen’s' toupees right off their heads.
That car was the Jaguar F-Type. The brand saver was deep-sixed because someone at Jaguar figured The Blue Oval’s cash would be better spent developing diesel versions of Jaguar sedans for DERV-crazy Europeans. Huh? Modern diesel engines may match or exceed the performance capabilities of their gasoline counterparts, but they literally stink of penny-pinching practicality. If the market calls for a frugal Jag, well, the market’s wrong. Take away the Jaguar’s animal roar and you’re left with a Mercedes. (At best.) A Jag that doesn’t deliver pure, unadulterated driving pleasure is about as alluring as a Hummer that can’t go off-road.
And that’s why Jaguar is in such deep shit. They keep putting grace over pace and getting their ass kicked all over the place. Sure, I might be wrong. Despite its unmistakable Astonness, the ALC might turn out to be a proper Jag. It might have delicious steering feel, fantastic handling poise, huge horsepower, monumental torque and a world-beating interior. If so, the cat will have lost one of its lives, but survived. If not, it’s time to euthanize the old tabby.
06-09-2005, 05:01 PM
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Victory Edition Added
2006 Limited Edition Jaguar XK Victory - - Posted by: kak on Saturday, January 08, 2005 - 12:20 AM -- - Source: Kar.net
Making their world debut at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2006 model year Jaguar XK 'Victory' editions celebrate Jaguar's four championship wins in the North American Trans-Am road racing series and add to a successful lineage of special and limited edition XKs introduced since its launch. Now a familiar sight on the racetracks of North America, the racing version of the XKR coupe has achieved three of four outright Manufacturer's Championship wins in the Trans-Am Series for Jaguar. For the 2004 season, Jaguar claimed its fourth title - second in a row - when the Jaguar R Performance XKR, driven by Paul Gentilozzi, propelled him to his 29th career Trans-Am victory, tying the legendary Mark Donohue's career Trans-Am win record.
From the landmark XK120 sports car that first introduced the famous XK name in 1948, through the current range of XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles, the XK nameplate has become synonymous with style, luxury, performance and grand touring ability. Just 1,050 of the special 'Victory' edition XKs will be sold in the U.S. beginning in June 2005.
"The XK 'Victory' edition is not only a celebration of the XK's success in Trans-Am, but also its enduring success as one of the world's most refined GT cars," adds O'Donnell.
All four XK models - XK8 Coupe and Convertible and supercharged XKR Coupe and Convertible - will be offered as 'Victory' editions when the line-up goes on sale next summer. The new exterior styling changes introduced for the 2005 models continue to give the car a bolder, more aggressive and more muscular look.
The XK8 coupe and convertible continue to be powered by the normally aspirated, 294 bhp, all-aluminum AJ-V8 Jaguar engine, while the supercharged XKR derivatives again pack a potent 390 horsepower. For the AJ-V8-powered XKR Trans-Am racecar, power comes from a highly-tuned version of the normally aspirated 4.2-liter AJ-V8 road car engine developing a massive 650 bhp.
The special XK 'Victory' edition road cars will arrive in four exclusive, limited edition exterior colors - Black Copper Metallic, Frost Blue Metallic, Bay Blue Metallic and Satin Silver Metallic - (other standard XK colors will also be available on 'Victory' models) with four interior colors and two distinct veneer options for the dashboard to create 18 possible combinations for the buyer to choose from. 'Victory' editions will offer Carbon Fiber interior trim on all XKR models, as well as feature a new Elm wood veneer on the XK8 models.
The 2006 Jaguar XK 'Victory' models will benefit from several additional new features including standard Bluetooth wireless connectivity. With Bluetooth, a compatible telephone may be wirelessly controlled via the XK's steering wheel controls, without ever leaving the driver's pocket or purse, for easy, hands-free use.
The XK8 models currently feature 19-inch 'Atlas' style wheels, which will come standard with a sporty chrome finish, while the XKR models get a new, unique 20-inch BBS wheel design. The XKR also gets cross-drilled Brembo brake rotors, while the XK8 adds power-fold exterior mirrors.
Tying in with Jaguar's racing heritage, special badging and accents will adorn the 'Victory' models in acknowledgement of the XK's racing achievements - polished door treadplates featuring checkered flag emblems and leather-edged floor mats. The Jaguar Growler badge also features checkered flag accents on the sides of the emblem.
A CELEBRATION OF JAGUAR'S SUCCESS IN TRANS-AM RACING
"We are hoping that the XK 'Victory' edition not only celebrates our success in winning the 2004 Trans-Am Championship, but also signals our intent to do the same in the upcoming 2005 season. The team is determined to give Jaguar its fifth Manufacturer's title."
Paul Gentilozzi, Owner, Rocketsports Racing
Rocketsports Racing owner and respected driver, Paul Gentilozzi, re-introduced Jaguar to Trans-Am competition during the 2000 season by selecting the aerodynamic XKR body as his car of choice. The following year, he drove the Rocketsports Racing XKR to his third Trans-Am Driver's title and delivered Jaguar its second Manufacturer's Championship.
In 2003, Rocketsports Racing again led Jaguar to victory in the August race at Road America. It was a 1-2-3 Jaguar finish, with two-time Trans-Am champion, Scott Pruett, behind the wheel of his R Performance XKR. Pruett led from start to finish, locking-up the third Manufacturer's crown for Jaguar.
One year later, Jaguar wrapped up the 2004 season in the Trans-Am road racing series by capturing its fourth Manufacturer's title when Gentilozzi grabbed his 29th checkered flag in the Jaguar R Performance XKR.
The 2004 Trans-Am season was also noteworthy as it marked the return of Jaguar power to the Trans-Am Series, with a production-based Jaguar AJ-V8 engine in Rocketsports Racing's R Performance XKR Trans-Am racecar driven by Tommy Kendall.
"The return of Jaguar power was long overdue and welcomed by the Series," added Gentilozzi. "We're proud to be a part of the continuing legacy that is Jaguar motorsports."
The thundering Jaguar AJ-V8 race engine, developed by Michigan-based Rocketsports Racing, powered the Jaguar XKR of four-time Trans-Am champion Tommy Kendall throughout the 2004 season. Kendall drove the engine to its first win at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on August 6, 2004, setting a new single lap record of 2:09.115 around the 4.048 mile permanent road course.
The race engine itself is based on the same all-aluminum 4.2-liter AJ-V8 'stock block' that powers Jaguar's XK sports cars, the S-TYPE sedan and the aluminum-intensive XJ sedan line-up. Engine work was carried out at Rocketsports' race shop in Lansing, Mich. where Rocketsports' engineers increased the V8's capacity from 4.2 to 4.5 liters and more than doubled the horsepower from the standard 294 bhp (SAE) to over 650 bhp (normally aspirated).
The new Jaguar engine will continue to power Rocketsports' Jaguar R Performance XKR for their assault on the 2005 Trans-Am Series championship.
"The return of Jaguar engine power marked a new chapter in Jaguar's North American racing history," commented Tom Scarpello, Jaguar North America's vice president of Marketing. "The Rocketsports team and the Jaguar drivers in the series have earned us three Manufacturer's titles to add to our 1978 title captured by Bob Tullius in an XJS. It is clear road racing is Jaguar's natural habitat."
With its race-tuned AJ-V8 revving to 9,000 rpm, the carbon fiber and Kevlar-bodied racing XKR is a very beautiful, fast car. The car will sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a staggering 3.2 seconds, with quarter-mile acceleration in 10.8 seconds at 135 mph, and a top speed of 180 mph.
The Jaguar-powered XKR also sports Jaguar's stunning silver, green and red North American racing livery.
Jaguar's previous high point in Trans-Am competition was when Bob Tullius, of the legendary Group 44 Team, took the Manufacturer's Championship in 1978. The last Trans-Am Series involvement for Jaguar was with Bob Tullius' legendary Group 44 team in 1981 with its V12-engined XJS racecars.
Since 2001, Jaguar North America has increased its ties to the Trans-Am Series by providing a contingency sponsorship - comprised of a pole award that offers a lease on a Jaguar XK sports car, and prize money to Jaguar drivers finishing in the top three positions.
THE HERITAGE OF A TRUE AUTOMOTIVE ICON
"From the legendary XK120 that introduced the XK name to the roads, through the current range of coupes and convertibles, Jaguar's XK sports cars have consistently set the benchmark when it comes to blending luxury, performance and grand touring ability."
Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars
Jaguar introduced the first XK in 1948 - the legendary XK120 sports car. An icon in and of itself, the sensational XK120 roadster set the stage for what the later versions of the XK would become known for - sophistication, luxury, performance and beauty.
Initially designed as a limited edition to prove the new 210 cu. in., six-cylinder DOHC engine was capable of reaching 120 mph, orders flooded Jaguar after the initial showing at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show in London. The car was pushed into mass production and by 1950 became one of the most desired sports cars on the market.
The roadster was followed by a coupe version that set new standards of luxury and comfort for sports cars.
The XK120 was replaced in 1954 with the XK140 which improved upon the original design with a more spacious interior as well as more horsepower. In 1957, Jaguar introduced the XK150 which built upon the previous models and was the first Jaguar with four-wheel disc brakes. The XK name was then replaced in 1961 with the legendary Jaguar E-TYPE (also known as the XK-E). Often featured in museum exhibits on classic luxury sports car design, the E-Type is one of the most revered sports cars ever introduced. With these first XK models, the magic of this car was born and carries on in the current models of today.
Today's XK coupes and convertibles began joining the Jaguar family in 1996. When the original XK8 was unveiled, this elegant, high-performance sports car again set new standards in the luxury sporting market. As Jaguar's first new sports car in two decades - and the first for a whole new generation of buyers - the XK8 became the fastest-selling sports car in Jaguar's history with its front engine, rear-wheel drive construction.
It set new records for Jaguar in terms of the time taken to bring a new model program to market, and achieved new levels of quality and functionality. Even after eight years of production, the XK8 still displays timeless beauty and sensuous elegance.
In 1999, an even more dramatic model was unveiled - the supercharged XKR. With a more impressive performance, the R Performance version added another dimension to the XK story, creating a 358 bhp supercar. From its curvaceous nose and raked-back windshield, to its muscular rear haunches, the XK also displays all the power and visual beauty of the animal it is named after.
In 2005, significant updates were again applied to the XK. Building upon the major updates already applied to every model over the past three years, the XK once again moved forward with a dynamic new look, and even higher equipment levels.
Over the past four years, several special editions have been created to mark important moments in this icon's history. These limited 'collector' editions include the 2001 XKR 'Silverstone', the 2002 XKR 100, 2004 XKR 'Portfolio' and the 2005 XK8 'Carbon Fiber' Edition.
The first limited 'collector' edition was the 2001 XKR 'Silverstone', of which only 250 were released in North America. The XKR Silverstone was designed as a celebration of Jaguar's involvement with Formula One and the technology and exclusivity the sport stands for. With an immediately recognizable Platinum paint finish (paired with a black top on the convertible), the package included high-performance handling components, model-specific upholstery and trim, and full complement of interior amenities including sports seats and steering wheel trimmed in Warm Charcoal leather with red stitching.
To mark the 100th birthday of Jaguar's founder, Sir William Lyons (1902-1985), Jaguar released 30 2002 XKR 100 limited edition coupes and 270 XKR 100 convertibles in North America. The XKR 100 models both featured exclusive 20-inch BBS 'Montreal' style modular wheels, Brembo brakes with cross-drilled rotors, special Anthracite paint, charcoal interior with Connolly Autolux Recaro seats and other luxury features and unique aluminum trim items. The XKR 100 Coupe was also fitted with a special handling package.
For 2004, Jaguar continued the tradition of offering limited edition versions of the supercharged 390bhp XKR convertible sports car with just 200 XKR 'Portfolio' models. The 'Portfolio' featured 20-inch BBS alloy wheels, a choice of two unique exterior colors and a stunning contrasting interior.
Jaguar's first celebration of the XK's dominance in Trans-Am racing came in the 2005 model year with the release of 200 XK8 Carbon Fiber limited edition models. These models featured a dramatic carbon fiber veneer across the dash and center console, the same material that Rocketsports Racing uses throughout the entire body of the championship-winning Trans-Am racecar. The special XK8s also featured plush Alcantara inserts in the seats and door panels and bold, 10-spoke, 19-inch 'Atlas' style wheels. A set of sport aluminum and rubber-studded brake, accelerator and footrest pedals, an all-leather steering wheel and a Momo gear knob were also added to give the driver extra control in hard driving.
Now, for 2006 Jaguar culminates its recognition of this iconic vehicle's achievements with 'Victory' edition models of the XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles.
Jaguar XK Winning Moments
1948 - Jaguar XK120 is introduced at the Earls Court Motor Show in London
1954 - Jaguar XK140 replaces the XK120
1957 - Jaguar XK150 replaces the XK140
1961 - Jaguar E-Type (also known as the XK-E) replaces the XK150
1978 - Bob Tullius & Group 44 capture first Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
1996 - Jaguar XK8 introduced (first Jaguar with a V8 engine)
1999 - Jaguar XKR introduced (most powerful XK to date)
2001 - 2000 XKR Silverstone' limited edition introduced
2001 - Rocketsports Racing captures second Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
2001 - 2002 Jaguar XKR 100 limited edition introduced
2003 - Rocketsports Racing captures third Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
2003 - 2004 Jaguar XKR 'Portfolio' limited edition introduced
2004 - Rocketsports Racing captures fourth Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
2004 - Tommy Kendall wins first race with the Jaguar AJ-V8 stock block engine at Road America
2004 - 2005 Jaguar XK8 'Carbon Fiber' limited edition introduced
2005 - 2006 Jaguar 'Victory' limited edition introduced
[source: ford.com]
From the landmark XK120 sports car that first introduced the famous XK name in 1948, through the current range of XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles, the XK nameplate has become synonymous with style, luxury, performance and grand touring ability. Just 1,050 of the special 'Victory' edition XKs will be sold in the U.S. beginning in June 2005.
"The XK 'Victory' edition is not only a celebration of the XK's success in Trans-Am, but also its enduring success as one of the world's most refined GT cars," adds O'Donnell.
All four XK models - XK8 Coupe and Convertible and supercharged XKR Coupe and Convertible - will be offered as 'Victory' editions when the line-up goes on sale next summer. The new exterior styling changes introduced for the 2005 models continue to give the car a bolder, more aggressive and more muscular look.
The XK8 coupe and convertible continue to be powered by the normally aspirated, 294 bhp, all-aluminum AJ-V8 Jaguar engine, while the supercharged XKR derivatives again pack a potent 390 horsepower. For the AJ-V8-powered XKR Trans-Am racecar, power comes from a highly-tuned version of the normally aspirated 4.2-liter AJ-V8 road car engine developing a massive 650 bhp.
The special XK 'Victory' edition road cars will arrive in four exclusive, limited edition exterior colors - Black Copper Metallic, Frost Blue Metallic, Bay Blue Metallic and Satin Silver Metallic - (other standard XK colors will also be available on 'Victory' models) with four interior colors and two distinct veneer options for the dashboard to create 18 possible combinations for the buyer to choose from. 'Victory' editions will offer Carbon Fiber interior trim on all XKR models, as well as feature a new Elm wood veneer on the XK8 models.
The 2006 Jaguar XK 'Victory' models will benefit from several additional new features including standard Bluetooth wireless connectivity. With Bluetooth, a compatible telephone may be wirelessly controlled via the XK's steering wheel controls, without ever leaving the driver's pocket or purse, for easy, hands-free use.
The XK8 models currently feature 19-inch 'Atlas' style wheels, which will come standard with a sporty chrome finish, while the XKR models get a new, unique 20-inch BBS wheel design. The XKR also gets cross-drilled Brembo brake rotors, while the XK8 adds power-fold exterior mirrors.
Tying in with Jaguar's racing heritage, special badging and accents will adorn the 'Victory' models in acknowledgement of the XK's racing achievements - polished door treadplates featuring checkered flag emblems and leather-edged floor mats. The Jaguar Growler badge also features checkered flag accents on the sides of the emblem.
A CELEBRATION OF JAGUAR'S SUCCESS IN TRANS-AM RACING
"We are hoping that the XK 'Victory' edition not only celebrates our success in winning the 2004 Trans-Am Championship, but also signals our intent to do the same in the upcoming 2005 season. The team is determined to give Jaguar its fifth Manufacturer's title."
Paul Gentilozzi, Owner, Rocketsports Racing
Rocketsports Racing owner and respected driver, Paul Gentilozzi, re-introduced Jaguar to Trans-Am competition during the 2000 season by selecting the aerodynamic XKR body as his car of choice. The following year, he drove the Rocketsports Racing XKR to his third Trans-Am Driver's title and delivered Jaguar its second Manufacturer's Championship.
In 2003, Rocketsports Racing again led Jaguar to victory in the August race at Road America. It was a 1-2-3 Jaguar finish, with two-time Trans-Am champion, Scott Pruett, behind the wheel of his R Performance XKR. Pruett led from start to finish, locking-up the third Manufacturer's crown for Jaguar.
One year later, Jaguar wrapped up the 2004 season in the Trans-Am road racing series by capturing its fourth Manufacturer's title when Gentilozzi grabbed his 29th checkered flag in the Jaguar R Performance XKR.
The 2004 Trans-Am season was also noteworthy as it marked the return of Jaguar power to the Trans-Am Series, with a production-based Jaguar AJ-V8 engine in Rocketsports Racing's R Performance XKR Trans-Am racecar driven by Tommy Kendall.
"The return of Jaguar power was long overdue and welcomed by the Series," added Gentilozzi. "We're proud to be a part of the continuing legacy that is Jaguar motorsports."
The thundering Jaguar AJ-V8 race engine, developed by Michigan-based Rocketsports Racing, powered the Jaguar XKR of four-time Trans-Am champion Tommy Kendall throughout the 2004 season. Kendall drove the engine to its first win at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on August 6, 2004, setting a new single lap record of 2:09.115 around the 4.048 mile permanent road course.
The race engine itself is based on the same all-aluminum 4.2-liter AJ-V8 'stock block' that powers Jaguar's XK sports cars, the S-TYPE sedan and the aluminum-intensive XJ sedan line-up. Engine work was carried out at Rocketsports' race shop in Lansing, Mich. where Rocketsports' engineers increased the V8's capacity from 4.2 to 4.5 liters and more than doubled the horsepower from the standard 294 bhp (SAE) to over 650 bhp (normally aspirated).
The new Jaguar engine will continue to power Rocketsports' Jaguar R Performance XKR for their assault on the 2005 Trans-Am Series championship.
"The return of Jaguar engine power marked a new chapter in Jaguar's North American racing history," commented Tom Scarpello, Jaguar North America's vice president of Marketing. "The Rocketsports team and the Jaguar drivers in the series have earned us three Manufacturer's titles to add to our 1978 title captured by Bob Tullius in an XJS. It is clear road racing is Jaguar's natural habitat."
With its race-tuned AJ-V8 revving to 9,000 rpm, the carbon fiber and Kevlar-bodied racing XKR is a very beautiful, fast car. The car will sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a staggering 3.2 seconds, with quarter-mile acceleration in 10.8 seconds at 135 mph, and a top speed of 180 mph.
The Jaguar-powered XKR also sports Jaguar's stunning silver, green and red North American racing livery.
Jaguar's previous high point in Trans-Am competition was when Bob Tullius, of the legendary Group 44 Team, took the Manufacturer's Championship in 1978. The last Trans-Am Series involvement for Jaguar was with Bob Tullius' legendary Group 44 team in 1981 with its V12-engined XJS racecars.
Since 2001, Jaguar North America has increased its ties to the Trans-Am Series by providing a contingency sponsorship - comprised of a pole award that offers a lease on a Jaguar XK sports car, and prize money to Jaguar drivers finishing in the top three positions.
THE HERITAGE OF A TRUE AUTOMOTIVE ICON
"From the legendary XK120 that introduced the XK name to the roads, through the current range of coupes and convertibles, Jaguar's XK sports cars have consistently set the benchmark when it comes to blending luxury, performance and grand touring ability."
Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO, Jaguar Cars
Jaguar introduced the first XK in 1948 - the legendary XK120 sports car. An icon in and of itself, the sensational XK120 roadster set the stage for what the later versions of the XK would become known for - sophistication, luxury, performance and beauty.
Initially designed as a limited edition to prove the new 210 cu. in., six-cylinder DOHC engine was capable of reaching 120 mph, orders flooded Jaguar after the initial showing at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show in London. The car was pushed into mass production and by 1950 became one of the most desired sports cars on the market.
The roadster was followed by a coupe version that set new standards of luxury and comfort for sports cars.
The XK120 was replaced in 1954 with the XK140 which improved upon the original design with a more spacious interior as well as more horsepower. In 1957, Jaguar introduced the XK150 which built upon the previous models and was the first Jaguar with four-wheel disc brakes. The XK name was then replaced in 1961 with the legendary Jaguar E-TYPE (also known as the XK-E). Often featured in museum exhibits on classic luxury sports car design, the E-Type is one of the most revered sports cars ever introduced. With these first XK models, the magic of this car was born and carries on in the current models of today.
Today's XK coupes and convertibles began joining the Jaguar family in 1996. When the original XK8 was unveiled, this elegant, high-performance sports car again set new standards in the luxury sporting market. As Jaguar's first new sports car in two decades - and the first for a whole new generation of buyers - the XK8 became the fastest-selling sports car in Jaguar's history with its front engine, rear-wheel drive construction.
It set new records for Jaguar in terms of the time taken to bring a new model program to market, and achieved new levels of quality and functionality. Even after eight years of production, the XK8 still displays timeless beauty and sensuous elegance.
In 1999, an even more dramatic model was unveiled - the supercharged XKR. With a more impressive performance, the R Performance version added another dimension to the XK story, creating a 358 bhp supercar. From its curvaceous nose and raked-back windshield, to its muscular rear haunches, the XK also displays all the power and visual beauty of the animal it is named after.
In 2005, significant updates were again applied to the XK. Building upon the major updates already applied to every model over the past three years, the XK once again moved forward with a dynamic new look, and even higher equipment levels.
Over the past four years, several special editions have been created to mark important moments in this icon's history. These limited 'collector' editions include the 2001 XKR 'Silverstone', the 2002 XKR 100, 2004 XKR 'Portfolio' and the 2005 XK8 'Carbon Fiber' Edition.
The first limited 'collector' edition was the 2001 XKR 'Silverstone', of which only 250 were released in North America. The XKR Silverstone was designed as a celebration of Jaguar's involvement with Formula One and the technology and exclusivity the sport stands for. With an immediately recognizable Platinum paint finish (paired with a black top on the convertible), the package included high-performance handling components, model-specific upholstery and trim, and full complement of interior amenities including sports seats and steering wheel trimmed in Warm Charcoal leather with red stitching.
To mark the 100th birthday of Jaguar's founder, Sir William Lyons (1902-1985), Jaguar released 30 2002 XKR 100 limited edition coupes and 270 XKR 100 convertibles in North America. The XKR 100 models both featured exclusive 20-inch BBS 'Montreal' style modular wheels, Brembo brakes with cross-drilled rotors, special Anthracite paint, charcoal interior with Connolly Autolux Recaro seats and other luxury features and unique aluminum trim items. The XKR 100 Coupe was also fitted with a special handling package.
For 2004, Jaguar continued the tradition of offering limited edition versions of the supercharged 390bhp XKR convertible sports car with just 200 XKR 'Portfolio' models. The 'Portfolio' featured 20-inch BBS alloy wheels, a choice of two unique exterior colors and a stunning contrasting interior.
Jaguar's first celebration of the XK's dominance in Trans-Am racing came in the 2005 model year with the release of 200 XK8 Carbon Fiber limited edition models. These models featured a dramatic carbon fiber veneer across the dash and center console, the same material that Rocketsports Racing uses throughout the entire body of the championship-winning Trans-Am racecar. The special XK8s also featured plush Alcantara inserts in the seats and door panels and bold, 10-spoke, 19-inch 'Atlas' style wheels. A set of sport aluminum and rubber-studded brake, accelerator and footrest pedals, an all-leather steering wheel and a Momo gear knob were also added to give the driver extra control in hard driving.
Now, for 2006 Jaguar culminates its recognition of this iconic vehicle's achievements with 'Victory' edition models of the XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles.
Jaguar XK Winning Moments
1948 - Jaguar XK120 is introduced at the Earls Court Motor Show in London
1954 - Jaguar XK140 replaces the XK120
1957 - Jaguar XK150 replaces the XK140
1961 - Jaguar E-Type (also known as the XK-E) replaces the XK150
1978 - Bob Tullius & Group 44 capture first Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
1996 - Jaguar XK8 introduced (first Jaguar with a V8 engine)
1999 - Jaguar XKR introduced (most powerful XK to date)
2001 - 2000 XKR Silverstone' limited edition introduced
2001 - Rocketsports Racing captures second Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
2001 - 2002 Jaguar XKR 100 limited edition introduced
2003 - Rocketsports Racing captures third Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
2003 - 2004 Jaguar XKR 'Portfolio' limited edition introduced
2004 - Rocketsports Racing captures fourth Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship
2004 - Tommy Kendall wins first race with the Jaguar AJ-V8 stock block engine at Road America
2004 - 2005 Jaguar XK8 'Carbon Fiber' limited edition introduced
2005 - 2006 Jaguar 'Victory' limited edition introduced
[source: ford.com]
