New 2009 Jaguar XK

Jaguar’s traditional auto making prowess receives a nudge into the future with the 2009 Jaguar XK. Refreshing and refined, this luxury coupe or convertible is sure to help drivers make the right kind of road statement.

This year’s XK arrives with a 4.2-liter V-8 engine offering 300-horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Highlighted by a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control, this vehicle balances style and prestige with a console-mounted shifter and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters that route strength appropriately to its rear-wheel drive system.

A lighter and more streamlined body structure sets the XK apart from fellow competitors including the BMW 650i, Mercedes-Benz SL-550 and Porsche 911. Both the coupe and convertible body styles accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 6.3 seconds. And fuel economy is strong, posting marks of 16 MPG city and 25 MPG highway for sufficient everyday gas mileage.

The 2009 XK showcases a retouched interior look compared to the traditional Jaguar, with a modern dashboard design and the option of aluminum trim in place of wood. A multipurpose touch-screen that controls audio, navigation and climate systems is simple and intuitive to use. The convertible's soft top is superb in terms of noise insulation when powering up, and fits very well underneath a hard tonneau cover in just 18 short seconds with the push of a button. Cargo and hauling space are above-average, with the coupe version holding about eleven cubic feet of cargo, while the top-down convertible boasts eight cubic feet of room.

The XK demonstrates the paramount concern for safety that the automaker has continually received high praise for. Front-seat side airbags (that provide dual head and chest security), whiplash-reducing front seats, traction control, antilock brakes and stability control come standard. The XK's stability control system has two settings, giving the driver control over the car's handling before the system activates. All XK convertible styles have two aluminum hoops that are set to automatically deploy in the event of an emergency rolling situation.

With high performance and practicality, the 2009 Jaguar XK is surely a luxury sport car you can show off for both looks and the value one gets for the price.