Final production approval for the luxury grand touring 2+2 coupe, dubbed project X150, is due later this summer once the Ford-owned British automaker resolves an internal debate over two different looks for the car.
Two camps have developed in the company—one supporting a radical twin-headlight “face” inspired by the 2001 Frankfurt show Concept R, and a second, more conservative proposal with one-piece headlights favored by Ford chief Nick Scheele. Today’s hallmark E-Type-inspired oval grille will continue.
The new XK will run on the same wheelbase as today’s car, but will likely have a higher ground clearance to help it avoid scrapes on dips and bumps, and will be taller to meet bumper height standards in some markets. Two body styles will be offered, with the convertible sticking with a folding canvas roof for cost and weight reasons.
The radical switch to alloy is challenging Jag’s engineers a little more than expected. The car was planned as a straightforward platform variant of the rivet-bonded XJ sedan, but engineers are struggling to get sufficient body stiffness in a convertible while still using the material and bonding process. So far, the likely solution will be adding more steel to the XK.
Powertrains and suspension will be borrowed from the XJ. The XKR will feature a supercharged 4.2-liter V8, with other models offering a 300-hp 4.2-liter V8 and possibly a 260-hp 3.5-liter entry-level V8. Jag is also considering a 500-hp XKR-R for 2008 or 2009.
