Written by Doug Newcomb
The ’07 Jaguar XK Convertible combines feline style, speed and some very cool technology and conveniences.
Word is that Ford is taking initial steps to put the brands from its Premier Automotive Group—Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo—on the block to raise much needed cash. Too bad that Dearborn is looking to dump Jaguar just as the venerable British brand is gaining some traction with its latest vehicles, after years of dull designs and sub-par quality. There’s no better example of that revamp than Jaguar’s XK. With its svelte aluminum body and formidable 4.2-liter V8 that cranks out 420 horsepower in the top-of-the-line XKR, this is one sleek and fast cat. While the same engine in the more mild-mannered ’07 Jaguar XK Convertible puts out a mere 320 horsepower, the 6-speed ZF transmission mated to steering-column paddle shifters, Jaguar’s Enhanced Computer Active Technology Suspension (eCATS) and speed-sensitive steering make for a fun top-down drive on any twisty road.
The XK Convertible also has the kind of comfort and convenience technology you’d expect to find on a roadster that costs just south of six figures (the version tested here had a sticker of $84,800). The top drops in less than 20 seconds at the touch of a button, and when the three-layer lid is in place it has a more solid feel than most rap tops. To protect your head, the Jaguar XK Convertible also employs a Rollover Protection System that consists of two two-strength aluminum bars that pop up behind the small rear seats in the event of an accident. But the TRAC Dynamic Stability Control (TRACDSC) helps ensure the car’s 19-inch wheels stay planted on the pavement, while a tire-pressure monitoring system warns if air pressure in an individual tire is too low or if pressure in all tires is too low for a given speed.
The message for the tire pressure monitor appears in a multi-function display in the instrument cluster, while a 7-inch in-dash touchscreen allows control of climate, audio, navigation, Bluetooth and personalization functions. Jaguar includes a prominent “home” button on the dash below the touchscreen should you get lost in its menus. And while the menus are easy and intuitive to navigate, the controls for heated seats, which are include with the climate controls, would be better served by a simple switch on the dash.
I’m also not a fan of Jaguar’s jog-wheel steering-wheel audio controls. On the left side are identical controls for audio volume and for track/station up and down, above a mode button for the audio system and another button to activate the Bluetooth hands-free phone system. The jog dials are too close together, and without looking I would too often hit the track/station up/down just as I was jamming to a song, thinking I was cranking it up. I didn’t get to try out the Bluetooth hands-free feature since the system isn’t compatible with my BlackBerry 7130C. In fact, according to Jaguar’s website the system isn’t compatible with quite a few phones, unless they’re from Motorola and Nokia.
On the opposite side of the steering wheel is another jog wheel to set the cruise control speed (with “resume” and “cancel” buttons below it) in convenient 1 mph increments. The control is also used for another one of the XK Convertible’s speed limiting features, the Automatic Speed Limiter. Hitting a bright red button on the center console next to the shifter allows you to set a limit on the top speed of the car using the cruise-control jog wheel. It’s ostensibly to keep the driver from inadvertently getting a ticket, but I see where it would come in handy if you need to let someone drive the car. And the Reverse Park Control, which sounds a warning when ultrasonic sensors in the bumper detect objects up to six feet behind the vehicle, also gives a little more peace of mind.
Our test car didn’t have the optional Alpine 8-speaker, 525-watt audio system, but the standard 6-speaker, 160-watt system sounded decent for most top-down cruising and held up fairly well on the highway. The system has a 6-disc CD changer that will also play MP3-encoded disc, but an aux-in is glaringly absent. Speaking of glare, the 7-inch screen was often too washed out to read in bright sunlight with the top down. This could be a problem if you’re relying on it for directions from the DVD navigation system, although the system’s voice-guidance will also tell you where to go.
Other than a few minor quibbles I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Jaguar XK Convertible, and the car’s sleek styling and substantial exhaust turned lots of heads. If Jaguar can continue producing cars of this caliber, hopefully the company will also turn the heads of suitors who will keep cool cats like this one coming.
10-01-2008, 10:47 PM
One cool cat
Linear Mode
