Jaguar has fitted 4,2-litre V8 powerplants to its mildly-facelifted XK range and, as a result, the XJR joins the S-Type R in the 300 kW club.
Cosmetic revisions to the XK8 and supercharged XKR coupé and convertible range, include Xenon headlights and new badging.
The current four-litre units are replaced by larger, more powerful 4,2-litre V8s already in the S-Type, while the XK also borrows its stablemate’s six-speed automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine now generates 224 kW in the XK – up from 216 kW – and is said to propel the coupé from zero to 100 km/h in 6,1 seconds. The supercharged XKR – at 300 kW, up from 276 kW – can reportedly hit the same mark in only 5,2 seconds. Both cars are electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The Coventry-based manufacturer said the changes had been introduced to produce “effortless performance, greater refinement and craftsmanship, improved functionality and enhanced driveability” in the XK range.
Under the skin, the 2003 XK has about 900 part-number changes and advances over the previous XK include the latest electronic driving aids – “intelligent” cruise control, dynamic stability control and emergency braking assistance.
Other safety features include adaptive restraint technology that includes the ultrasonic detection of a passenger, to control crash bag inflation, and the option of radar to warn of slowing traffic ahead.
There is a new range of alloy wheel designs, and four new colours – Jaguar Racing Green, Ebony, Midnight, and Adriatic Blue, while an electrically adjustable steering column with entry/exit mode is now standard.
Deliveries of new models will start in September.
