Facelifted Jaguar XK up to $16K cheaper

PRICE cuts of between $4000 and $16,000 have been applied to the revised Jaguar XK two-door range that will arrive in Australia this October.

The MY12 XK range will be presented at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne on July 1, when final specifications will be announced.

Jaguar Australia brand manager Kevin Goult said the revised XK line-up, which also brings a reduction in standard specifications, is designed to help the large coupe and convertible compete with its most direct rivals.

“We are pricing them to meet the market,” he said, adding that the equipment changes were not major.

“They are quite minor things such as reducing a 14-way adjustable seat to a 10-way version,” he said.

Another change is to make the previously standard woodgrain an option, and replacing it with piano black and aluminium highlights for a more modern look.

Mr Goult said the strength of the Australian dollar helped Jaguar’s XK price repositioning.

“The exchange rate is favourable for us at the moment,” he said.

Jaguar_XKR_stack2.jpgMr Goult said the company had considered customers who had just bought a current model before price cuts of up to $16,000 were announced.

“We are offering very attractive finance packages on the current models to make sure we look after customers who purchase the 2010 model,” he said.

The 2012 range opens with the XK Coupe, which is $5114 cheaper at a new price of $224,114, while the XK Convertible is $4414 more affordable at $243,000.

Larger price cuts have been applied to the supercharged XKR models. The XKR Coupe price has dropped by $15,914 to $239,000, while the XKR Convertible is now $15,214 less expensive at $263,000.

Jaguar Australia is also introducing the new high-performance XKR-S Coupe at the top of the XK tree, giving it a $340,000 pricetag.

GoAuto sampled the revised XK range – including the rapid new XKR-S - at the 2012 model line-up’s international launch in Portugal last week.

The MY12 XK brings new headlights featuring daytime running lights, a new front bumper and grille, fresh wheel designs and new chrome side vents.

Inside, there is a new centre digital information cluster, a new leather steering wheel, soft-feel buttons, an integrated rear-view mirror and blue instrument illumination (replacing white), while a new leather headlining option (for the coupe) and sports seats have been added to the options list.

Jaguar has not made any mechanical changes, which means the entry-level model continues to run a 5.0-litre V8 that delivers 283kW and 515Nm, linked to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission.

The XKR runs the same supercharged V8 engine as before, meaning there’s still no less than 375kW and 625Nm on tap via the same transmission.

The MY12 XK Convertible we sampled in Portugal drives the same as the previous model, but the raft of minor changes - especially to the interior - give the XK cabin an even more upmarket feel. It isn’t as spectacular as the newer XJ limousine’s cockpit, but it still gives off an undeniable air of luxury The naturally aspirated convertible is a lovely cruiser, with an extremely comfortable ride and light steering feel. It is good for spirited runs on twisty roads, with a noticeable but not too raucous exhaust note.

Jaguar introduced the current XK back in 2006, but it doesn’t come across as old and revisions along the way mean it still looks and feels modern.

What is undoubtedly modern is the XK’s body rigidity. This two-door’s body – even in open-top convertible form - feels extremely stiff and there is no hint of body wobble with the metal folding roof is up or down.

The exterior changes don’t fundamentally change the appearance of the car, but match the updated interior by giving it a more contemporary look. With so many premium car-makers moving to LED daytime running lights, any high-end cars without them are starting to look out of place.

Design taste is indeed subjective, but the XK is certainly an elegant and muscular looking car. Its flowing lines and bulging hips look grand and expensive and Jaguar has maintained the XK’s confident stance without applying polarising jewelry.

That could give it the edge against some competitors such as BMW’s new 6 Series convertible and the Mercedes-Benz SL, and sharper prices won’t hurt either.

2012 Jaguar XK pricing:&nbsp
XK Coupe (a)	$224,114 (-$5114)
XK Convertible (a)&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp	$243,000 (-$4414)
XKR Coupe (a)	$239,000 (-$15,914)
XKR Convertible (a)	$263,000 (-$15,214)
XKR-S (a)	$340,000