007's Hidden Gem: The 2007 Jaguar XK – James Bond's Ultimate Budget-Friendly Power Ride?

In a world where James Bond often graces the screen in an Aston Martin, the 2007 Jaguar XK emerges as a compelling alternative for those who seek the style, luxury, and grand touring feel of an Aston at a significantly more accessible price point. Dubbed 'Bond on a Budget', this vehicle offers a taste of 007's sophisticated automotive world without the exorbitant cost, providing a blend of elegance and performance that challenges its more expensive British counterparts.

The aesthetic resemblance between the new XK coupe and current Aston Martin models is no mere coincidence. Ian Callum, Jaguar's design head, previously shaped the Vanquish and DB7 at Aston Martin and influenced the DB9's styling. This heritage is evident in the XK's curvaceous lines, though its face, from certain angles, has been noted to resemble a guppy. Conversely, its muscular, tarpon-like rear haunches are particularly alluring, suggesting a powerful grip on the road. The new XK boasts larger dimensions, being over three inches wider than a Porsche 911 Carrera S and 3.7 inches broader than its predecessor, with a wheelbase stretched 6.4 inches and a roof raised 1.5 inches, achieving proportions that allow it to compete effectively with rivals from BMW and Mercedes.

Stepping inside the 2007 Jaguar XK reveals significant improvements in comfort and luxury. Our test model, priced at $81,300 and equipped with the $2500 Advanced Technology Package (adaptive cruise control, adaptive front lighting) and the $3300 Luxury Package (19-inch wheels, soft-grain leather, 16-way power seats, heated steering wheel), showcases a decadent interior. The leather-covered dash exudes poshness, complemented by modern amenities like a touch-screen navigation system. Unlike the previous XK's cramped cockpit, the new model offers enhanced roominess and comfort, benefiting from approximately an inch of added head and shoulder room, and over two inches of extra front legroom. Behind the wheel, the XK evokes a similar long-nose, high-cowl feel to a DB9, yet it feels noticeably lighter and more lithe, an agility that becomes pronounced when navigating bends. This sensation is partly due to the XK's 300-pound weight advantage over the DB9, but more so to its beautifully weighted, correction-free steering, near-ideal balance, and impressive grip.

While the XK may not reach the pure sports-car levels of a Porsche 911 or a Z06, it delivers a taut yet supple ride with minimal body roll and understeer. Its braking performance is confident, stopping from 60 to 0 mph in 115 feet. Armed with a riveted and bonded aluminum monocoque that is both lighter and stiffer than its predecessor, the XK feels trim and solid, embodying the dual personality of a true grand tourer – capable of tackling severe switchbacks yet equally suited for comfortable, cross-country journeys.

Under the hood, the XK is powered by an enhanced AJ 4.2-liter V-8 engine, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This power is channeled through a seamless ZF six-speed automatic transmission, identical to the one found in the DB9, now featuring steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for rapid gear changes. This powertrain allows the XK to achieve 0-to-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 14.6 seconds at 97.4 mph. While these figures are quick, they lag behind competitors like the $72,495 BMW 650i coupe, which offers 360 horsepower from its 4.8-liter V-8. Despite its satisfying performance, the XK's base model could benefit from a power boost to around 350 horsepower, a suggestion perhaps addressed by the forthcoming XKR.

Minor criticisms for the XK include a retro power antenna, an inconsistent outside temperature gauge, and the absence of curtain airbags in an $80,000 car. However, given its inherent beauty, rich heritage, and dynamic capabilities that scream 'Bond Car' at any price, one might hope to avoid collisions altogether, relying instead on its standard Bluetooth technology to seal deals before riding off into the sunset.

For those desiring even fiercer performance, Jaguar is introducing the all-new XKR coupe and convertible. This 'Fiercer Feline' promises a level of performance to truly match the XK's allure. Body alterations, inspired by the Advanced Lightweight Concept, will include huge wheels (likely 20-inches), chrome side vents, and large front bumper ducts for high-performance brake cooling, though it will omit the horizontal chrome strip in the mesh grille. The XKR will sport four large tailpipes, distinguishing it from the XK's two. Its heart will be a supercharged version of the 4.2-liter AJ-V-8, estimated to produce 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a ZF six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Insiders suggest the blown engine will have a deeper growl than its predecessor's whine, contributing to an overall character described as 'an XK plus 20 percent.' With stiffer suspension and tauter handling, the XKR, weighing approximately 3800 pounds, is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in the low 13.0s at approximately 110 mph. While not as quick as a BMW M6 or Mercedes SL55 AMG, the XKR's electrifying acceleration and estimated $90,000 price tag offer an economic edge over its high-performance rivals. The XKR is slated for unveiling at the September Paris auto show and will go on sale in the winter.

The 2007 Jaguar XK features a front-engine, RWD drivetrain with a DOHC 4-valve/cylinder V-8 aluminum engine, displacing 256.1 cubic inches (4196 cc) with a 10.8:1 compression ratio. It delivers 300 hp at 6000 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm, with a redline of 6200 rpm, resulting in a weight-to-power ratio of 12.5 lb/hp. The 6-speed automatic transmission has axle/final-drive ratios of 3.31:1 / 2.28:1. Suspension consists of control arms, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar in the front, and a multilink setup with coil springs and an anti-roll bar in the rear. Steering has a 17.1:1 ratio with 2.7 turns lock-to-lock. Braking is handled by 12.8-inch vented discs front and rear with ABS. The car rides on 19 x 8.5-inch front and 19 x 9.5-inch rear cast aluminum wheels, shod with Dunlop SP Sport 01 J tires (245/40R19 94Y front, 275/35R19 96Y rear).

Dimensions include a 108.3-inch wheelbase, 61.0 / 63.3-inch front/rear track, and an overall length x width x height of 188.6 x 74.5 x 52.0 inches. Its turning circle is 33.3 feet, and it weighs 3756 pounds with a 53 / 47% front/rear weight distribution. Seating capacity is four, with ample headroom (38.2 in front, 33.3 in rear), legroom (45.1 in front, 23.7 in rear), and shoulder room (56.6 in front, 51.5 in rear). Cargo volume is 10.6 cubic feet. Test data shows 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, a quarter-mile in 14.6 seconds at 97.4 mph, and 60-0 mph braking in 115 feet. It achieved 66.4 mph in the 600-ft slalom. Consumer information indicates a base price of $75,500 ($81,300 as tested), stability/traction control, dual front and front side airbags, a 4-year/50,000-mile basic, powertrain, and roadside assistance warranty. Fuel capacity is 18.7 gallons, with EPA city/hwy economy of 18/27 mpg and a MotorTrend observed economy of 22 mpg, requiring unleaded premium fuel.