Jag XK hits £60K

Newswheel staff :: 10 January 2006 :: Filed under Coupe, Jaguar, Jaguar XK8, Europe & UK

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Jaguar prices up new coupe and cabriolet

That aluminium chassis tech doesn’t come cheap. Jaguar has released official UK prices for the all-new XK8 coupe and cabriolet models. The all-aluminium XK8 coupe will lighten your wallet to the tune of £58,955, while the cab kicks off at £64,955. For the record, the outgoing XK8 was yours for a positively parsimonious £51,195.

So, what do you get for your money? Both cars run the latest version of Jag’s alloy V8 lump in 300bhp tune and boast paddle shift-actuated six-speed torque converter gearboxes. Touch-screen sat nav, 18-inch plates, ‘leccy seats and cruise control are also gratis. But that’s nothing less than you’d expect for 60,000 earth pounds. In fact, the XK’s most novel feature is one that owners will be hoping never to use: pyrotechnic bonnet mounts. In the event of an accidental car-pedestrian interface, the bonnet is deployed upwards to provide a cushioning effect (mmmm, lovely, soft sheet aluminium) and prevent said unlucky soul from becoming physically familiar with hard points in the engine bay.

As for performance, the coupe hits 60 in 5.9 seconds, while the cab requires an extra tenth. Both cars are electronically limited to 155mph. Sales start in March.