The 2007 Jaguar XK 4.2 coupe and convertible come with a 300-horsepower version of the old standby AJ V8 engine, now combined with a very flexible six-speed automatic transmission. The familiar J-gate shifter has finally been replaced by a new floor shifter that offers a Sport mode, plus steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the first time on any Jaguar model.
At introduction, with cars showing up in dealerships in April 2006, that's the entire lineup. A high-performance version, the XKR, will be along in a year or so, rumored to have a larger 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine generating 500 horsepower, replacing the supercharged 4.2 that made 400 horsepower in the old XKR model.
Standard equipment includes DVD navigation, keyless entry and keyless start, a seven-inch video display, Bluetooth capability, cruise control, a 6-CD/MP3 player, rear park assist, cruise control, and electronic parking brake.
Options include adaptive cruise control with a forward-alert system that sounds an audible warning, full soft leather upholstery, and a 520-watt Alpine sound system with eight speakers.
Safety feature include front and side air bags, ABS with EBD, traction control, dynamic stability control with a track feature, and electronic rollover mitigation. If the convertible should roll over, two rollover bars come blasting up through the rear glass to stabilize the rear of the compartment, a special feature not shared with the coupe.