I already knew the drill – a hearty lunch followed by a quick drive around the block.
Jaguar invited a handful of motoring journalists for a sumptuous pasta-and-lamb lunch at Balducci’s in Serendra last week. They then sweetened the offer with the promise of a drive of “a special Jaguar.” Hmm…
As always happens, I was late leaving the office. Fortunately, traffic was magically light and I made it to Fort in 20 minutes. I was at the stoplight in front of Shell/Starbucks there when a flashy black car signaled and made a right turn from the corner of the Mercedes-Benz showroom, from where it accelerated hard with that glorious V8 engine sound.
It was the impossibly sexy aluminum-bodied Jaguar XK, whose “entry-level” coupe model starts at P8.5 million. And behind the wheel was none other than fellow STAR contributor James Deakin. I wanted to roll down the windows to shout, “Wipe that smug grin off your face, James! And bring me back my car!”
As they say, the early bird gets the worm. And James, who needed to leave early, turned the dessert into an appetizer. Entering the basement parking of Serendra, I spotted another XK waiting for other media guests parked at the driveway near our resto. A convertible! Then a silver XK drove up. It had the emblem “XKR” on its sexy rear end – the supercharged 420-hp XKR that has an electronically limited 255-kph top speed. Wow…
Soon enough, I found myself snugly ensconced inside the sumptuous cabin. The XK is a very strict 2+2, which means toddlers are the best passengers for the rear seat, of which legroom is almost non-existent.
The driver and front passenger sit in the lap of luxury, however. The softest leather, the plushest carpeting, the richest (and real) wood trim – even grasping the soft steering wheel is a sensual pleasure.
I step on the brake and press the big red Start/Stop Engine button beside the gearshift lever. The cat’s big 4.2-liter 300-hp quad-cam 32-valve V8 purrs to life. I switch the L-shaped gated lever (Jaguar’s famed J-gate is no more) to Drive and we’re off.
Jaguars are big, fast cats – and this motorized version lives up to its feline namesake. The V8 growls sportily when given lots of throttle. The normally aspirated Coupe can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in about 5.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 255 kph.
Spirited drivers can move the lever to the left and engage Sport for quicker, more aggressive downshifts and near-redline upshifts. Hardcore racers can even play with the paddle shifters positioned behind the steering wheel for true-F1-like gearshifting.
Ride quality is befitting a sports car of this stratospheric price range – well-damped and firm but certainly not harsh. The XK rides on standard 18-inch alloy wheels although 17-inch run-flat tires as well as 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels are optional. State-of-the-art electronic chassis aids include Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribition, and ABS. The new XK also offers Jaguar’s Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) as an option.
Jaguar also took the opportunity to introduce its by-order-only XKR Portfolio model. The 4.2-liter special edition supercharged sports car, also available in Coupe and Convertible versions, will be sold worldwide (just 255 will go to the U.S.) and each one will feature notable additions to the already strong specification of the XKR.
The XKR’s powerful styling cues – an enhanced front bumper, hood louvers and aluminum-finish grilles and side power vents – will remain and exclusive Celestial Black exterior paint and 20-inch polished Cremona five-spoke alloy wheels add to the overall presence.
To offer even greater stopping power, Jaguar’s Special Vehicles team worked with leading brake manufacturer Alcon to create the largest, most powerful brakes ever fitted on a production Jaguar.
The Alcon 15.75” (400mm) front brake discs – an increase of 1.77-inch (45mm) over the standard XKR – are clamped by powerful six-piston calipers, while at the rear four-piston calipers operate on 13.78-inch (350mm) discs.
A host of new additions to the interior further the luxurious look and feel of the XKR Portfolio. A unique and beautiful engine-spin aluminum veneer is standard while customers also have the option of an elegant Satin American Walnut veneer. A choice of charcoal interior or charcoal and ivory interior is available.
A new alloy and leather gearshift selector, soft-grab door handles, contrast stitching throughout the cabin, leather-edged mats with a Jaguar logo and distinctive Portfolio treadplates on the doorsills complete the effect.
The XKR Portfolio also marks another first for Jaguar: the first production example of its new partnership with renowned audio entertainment specialists Bowers & Wilkins.
Taking Jaguar’s 525-watt Premium Audio System with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound and Sirius Satellite Radio as a starting point, Bowers & Wilkins have crafted a signature speaker system specifically for the XKR’s cabin.
High-output, low-distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminum-dome tweeters deliver superb mid-range and extended high-frequency responses.
Eye candy, ear candy – plus performance that rivals that of the most exotic sports cars. What’s not to like? If you can afford one, that is.
All Jaguar models are available from Jaguar Cars Inc. at 399 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., in Makati.