MATURED 2015 JAGUAR XK

It would be pleasant if everything matured like fine wine, however the 2015 Jaguar XK has matured like, well, an auto. The current XK will be suspended following 2015, denoting its ninth year of generation. It's hard for any auto to stay pertinent after all that time. To be totally straightforward, Jag's 2-entryway model was innovation denied notwithstanding when it appeared in 2007, and that crevice has just extended in this quick moving luxury segment.

Anyhow in case you're about style and execution, the XK may at present speak to you. We felt that the XK had an excessive amount of Ford Taurus in its nose at the beginning, yet Jag has made unpretentious corrections through the years, and nowadays the XK parades ageless sex bid. It would seem that an Aston Martin red-label exceptional, and we imply that as a compliment. Concerning execution, the XK is much speedier now than it used to be, from the 385-strength base model to the atomic 550-hp XKR-S. It's not terrible through the corners, either. 

Generally, the XK is still justified regardless of a gander. Simply don't anticipate that it will have deceived Father Time as effectively as some of Jaguar's Hollywood customer base.       The XK loses its ultra-high-performance XKR-S GT variant, while its equipment roster has been reshuffled to add value. New standard features include adaptive headlights, HD radio and metal pedals. There's also an XKR-based, limited-edition XK Final Fifty model with special black paint and trim details along with extensive standard luxuries.The rear-wheel-drive Jaguar XK starts with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 rated at 385 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The coupe returns 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, while the convertible gets 16 mpg city/22 mpg hwy.

The XKR steps up to a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 rated at 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the XKR-S goes bonkers with a 550-hp, 502-lb-ft version of this engine. Both supercharged models are rated at 15 mpg city/22 mpg hwy.The 2015 Jaguar XK is a 2+2 (a 2-seater with a tiny 2-passenger back seat) offered in three trim levels: base, XKR and XKR-S. All are available as either a coupe or a fabric-roofed convertible.

Standard features on the base XK ($85,425) include 20-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive xenon headlights with LED accents, keyless entry/start, wood interior trim, a power-adjustable steering wheel, heated and cooled 10-way power front seats with memory settings, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, metal pedals, a rearview camera, a hard-drive-based navigation system with a 7-in touchscreen and a 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system with a USB port, HD radio and satellite radio.

The XKR ($98,425) steps up to a supercharged engine and a limited-slip differential plus such niceties as electronically adjustable adaptive dampers, performance instrumentation, softer leather upholstery and 16-way front seats.

Options on the XKR include the Dynamic Pack (adding special side sills, a rear diffuser and a larger rear wing) and the Performance Pack (adding an active sport exhaust, sport seats and a suede-wrapped steering wheel).

All convertible models cost $6,000 more than their coupe counterparts and feature a fabric roof that can be ordered in numerous colors to either match or contrast with the body to your liking. When it's not needed, the top disappears into the body in 18 seconds, and it can be operated at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.

Trunk capacity is 11.7 cu ft. in the XK coupe and 11.1 cu ft. in the convertible, though the latter figure drops to about 7 cu ft. with the soft-top folded down.The Jaguar XK comes with standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and four airbags (front and front-side). The convertible also features two roll hoops that pop up automatically if a rollover is imminent. The XK does not offer any of the high-tech safety features that we've come to take for granted in this segment, such as blind spot monitoring or collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking.The XK is the oldest car in Jaguar's stable, and it shows when you're sitting inside. Some of its buttons and switchgears have a downmarket vibe. What's more, the quality of the interior materials is merely adequate compared to some of its competition, detracting from that special feel it had from behind the wheel when it was a new design. At least it has Jaguar's cool and distinctive rotary-shift knob, which dramatically rises out of the center console upon ignition.

All versions of the XK model's V8 are simply brilliant, with seemingly endless thrust and a NASCAR-grade wail when floored. The R and R-S versions add an endearingly audible supercharger whine as they pin your ears to your head. The standard XK is said to hit 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds from a standstill, with the XKR hitting mile-a-minute speeds in 4.6 seconds and the XKR-S in an even quicker 4.2 seconds. Only you can decide if the XKR-S model's modest acceleration edge and slightly louder noises are worth the additional tens of thousands (if you can even find one), but we wouldn't dissuade you from spending the dough if you have it.

Whichever version you select, a 6-speed automatic transmission will handle the shifting duties, and it's unfortunately a poor match for the sensational V8 engines. Kick-downs are sometimes delayed and then abrupt when passing, while downshifts in manual mode can feel rough. To be fair, it's seamless in relaxed driving. But kick things up a notch, and it sometimes feels a step behind.