2012 Jaguar XK Philadelphia

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The 2012 Jaguar XK excels as the gentleman's sports car. Brilliant British 5.0-liter V8, aluminum monocoque chassis, active suspension, big brakes. Sensational and sensuous classic styling. Rocket ship acceleration from the 510-horsepower XKR. Luxury interior. The Jaguar XK bumpers and headlights have been redesigned and a rearview camera is now standard on all models for 2012. A special-order only, XKR-S coupe is also new for 2012. This new trim includes a 550-hp engine, 20" forged wheels, aerodynamic enhancements, and race inspired seats. Learn more about the new Jaguar lineup today!

New 2012 Jaguar XK Design

The Jaguar XK has been an iconic beauty, its  fenders flowing without interruption back to the 1954 Jaguar D Type racing car, the 1957 XKSS, and the 1975 XKE. At the rear of the XK are LED taillamps, which definitely sharpen the car at night, and a lower spoiler, which you don't really notice. The XKR model has foglamps located in the headlamp cluster, and there are small vertical vents at the ends of the bumper to help cool the front rotors. There are also vents on the hood of the XKR that open like a clamshell and add muscle-car flavor. The XKR also has fender cutouts behind the front wheels to extract more heat, and two twin exhaust tips that declare horsepower, complementing and balancing the hood vents.

Driving the 2012 Jaguar XK

Available as a coupe or convertible, the XK packs a 385-hp 5.0-liter V8 engine. The XKR features a 510-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8. The XKR-S uses a 550-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8. A six-speed automatic transmission with console mounted rotary shifter and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters channels all that power to the rear wheels. The Jaguar XK benefits from a light and stiff aluminum monocoque chassis that's riveted and bonded. The resulting rigid chassis produces superb handling and braking. When we drove them at high speeds we found the XK models felt solid, stable and planted. The stiff chassis contributes to steering accuracy; it's tight and quick but not skittish. The Adaptive Damping System provides continuous variable damping for ride comfort or maximum cornering on rough roads. Chassis motion, including roll rate and pitch rate, is analyzed and adjusted 100 times per second. Meanwhile, wheel travel is analyzed and corrected 500 times per second. The XKR brakes are massive 15.7-inch rotors with six-piston calipers in front, and 13.8 inches with four-pots at the rear, to bring you back from high speed.

'12 Jaguar XK Interior

Standard equipment starts with Adaptive Dynamics with stability control, and includes every power thing you can think of. Twin-stitched heated and cooled leather seats in caramel, charcoal or ivory, with your choice of four interior trim woods (Jet Suedecloth headliner optional); Bowers & Wilkins 525-watt sound system; 19-inch alloy wheels; navigation system with 7-inch touch-screen; keyless entry and starting; bi-xenon headlamps with washers, automatic leveling, and corner beams triggered by turn signals; air sensors to optimize cabin air quality; front and rear Park Assist; and more. The XK Convertible is very quiet underway with the triple-lined top up. In fact, because the new Jaguar 5.0-liter engine is quieter than the old Ford 4.2-liter, you almost can't hear the growl of the powerful engine any more. Even with the top down, it doesn't rumble unless you're up near redline. Elegant materials surround the driver, especially the wood, your choice among Rich Oak, Dark Oak, Burr Walnut, Ebony or Piano Black, depending on the model. There's also Knurled Aluminum and Dark Mesh Aluminum. In Drive or Sport mode, you manually shift the transmission with well-shaped paddles on the steering wheel.

Conclusions

Safety equipment includes frontal airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes with EBD and Brake Assist, Adaptive Restraint Technology, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and, for the convertible, rollbars that actuate in 0.065 seconds. For more on this model, visit the official Jaguar XK website!