New Car Overview of the 2005 Jaguar XK Mid-Size Sports Coupe and Convertible

Description: Mid-Size Sports Coupe and Convertible
Base MSRP Range: $69,830 - $86,330
Invoice Price Range: $63,546 - $78,561
Where built: England

Jaguar's two-door personal luxury cars resurrect styling cues from the fabled 1960s two-seat icon -- XK-E -- thanks to that extended hoodline and aerodynamic prow. Only change between coupe and convertible occurs with the latter's retractable lid.

Both use naturally-aspirated and supercharged versions of the 4.2-liter V8 found in S-Type and XJ cars, as well as the ZF automatic 6-speed shifter. The natural plant slips into XK8 coupe and convertible, worth 294-hp. The supercharged version goes to racy XKR, making 390-hp.

Editions of 2005 reveal fresh styling points. Smooth monochromatic bumpers and side sills run deeper around the bottom of each car and the massive oval grille in front stretches wide across the face, with a horizontal grille splitter on XK8 and revamped mesh insert for XKR. At the tail, the chrome-tipped exhaust pipes are larger, with a pair for XK8 but dual pairs for XKR, and XKR gets a larger spoiler on the trunk deck. The cockpit for all XK models contains four plush seats clad in rich leather with hardwood slabs trimming dash and console.