Jaguar XK Review
Published: 23rd July 2007
Jaguar XK
In Car Entertainment and Satellite Navigation
The new Jaguar XK offers a choice between high and optional premium-quality audio systems. The standard six-speaker high-specification system supports conventional audio CDs as well as discs containing WMA (Windows Media Format) and MP3 digital files, and the single dash-mounted CD slot is actually a six-disc changer.
As you might expect our car featured the premium system, by Alpine which has eight speakers, a remote six-channel amplifier offering 520 watts of output and Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound. With a little bit of tweaking the system was pretty good and is worth the extra £820.
There is a built-in Bluetooth communication interface which can talk wirelessly to Bluetooth compatible mobile phones, which only have to be in the passenger compartment, for instance in a brief case or jacket pocket. The completely hands-free system has volume and answer controls on the steering wheel. To make a call you can use the touch-screen panel, which also displays navigation information. This paired well to our Sony K-Series phone, and was a welcome addition.
The Satellite Navigation system is easy to operate via the touch screen and you can enter post codes, if you prefer when entering destinations. Navigation is supported by TMC (Traffic Message Channel) which in the UK is transmitted via the classic FM radio signal (no need to tune in, it is all done behind the scenes). This automatically updates the Navigation System with live traffic information, without human intervention re-routing you around accidents and delays. There are also visible and audio warnings for the problems that lie on your route we found it worked very well, helping us avoid an accident.
How It Looks - Exterior
The E-Type inspired front nose cone can look at little odd at certain angles and we have heard references to Hyundai’s Coupe. The worst element about the current XK exterior has to be the hideous radio aerial, which thankfully is to be removed on the new revised model.
Otherwise the Jaguar XK is a stunning feline moving work of art. When we parked the car on Sidmouth sea front we were surprised by the comments and the number of people who stopped and photographed the car in our experience very few cars get the paparazzi treatment.How It Looks - Interior
We did not like the plastics used around the touch screen, on the steering wheel, window switches, air vents and some of the switch gear is a bit low rent not at all in keeping with car costing over £60,000.
You have three trim/veneer options: aluminium, burr walnut and poplar , fortunately our car had the £350 aluminium option which was very in keeping with the exterior and the warm charcoal leather.
Rivals
- BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz CLK & CLS & Porsche 911
