| The Jaguar XK features significant revisions for 2010, headlined by a totally new engine. The 2010 Jaguar XK sports revisions to the front bumper and rear spoiler and taillamps, along with a touched-up interior. The XK was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year. For 2010, the chassis is unchanged, being only three years old and still state of the art: aluminum monocoque, bonded and riveted, very lightweight and rigid. The suspension and electronics supporting it are either improved or new for 2010. The six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is smooth and tight with rev-matching downshifting. For 2010, a dial on the center console is used to select Drive, Park, Reverse and Sport, a feature introduced on the 2009 Jaguar XF. The new V8 engine displaces 5.0 liters yet is more compact than the old 4.2-liter. It's significantly more powerful than the previous engine, while getting the same fuel mileage and slightly better emissions, thanks to direct injection, which sprays aerated fuel into the combustion chambers. As for acceleration, the new engine turns the 2010 XK into an eyeball-popper, bringing the 0-60 time down to 5.2 seconds from 5.9 in the normally aspirated XK (385 hp). The 2010 Jaguar XKR, using the same engine supercharged to 510 horsepower, can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, a significant improvement over the 4.9 seconds achieved by the previous model. The secret to this newfound thrust is a new generation of supercharger. The 2010 Jaguar XK has it all: Flawless engine, transmission, brakes, styling, details. Superb ride and cornering. Comfortable interior slanting more toward luxury than sport. Our biggest complaints are the round knob that serves as the shifter and the non-intuitive LCD touch-screen controls. |