Welsh-Built Premium Engine For New Jaguar XK Coupe

Ford Bridgend engine plant is supplying the latest specification V8 engine for the new Jaguar XK Coupe being unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show next week.

The aluminium power unit was designed and developed by engineers based at Jaguar's product development HQ in Whitley, Coventry. Ford Bridgend plant manager Bob Murphy said: "We work very closely with Jaguar design and engineering to ensure our engines meet their requirements and, most importantly, live up to the expectations and demands of Jaguar owners.

"The plant has built up a strong relationship with Jaguar over the last decade and delivered a world beating V8 engine which has helped the brand move ahead of its rivals.

"The new 4.2-litre range in the latest XK series, PAG's existing 4.4-litre V8 and in-line six cylinder (I6) coming next year, plus Ford's successful Zetec SE series of four-cylinder engines, all put this plant on schedule to reach its target of a million power units annually by 2010."

The all-new XK marks an exciting new era in Jaguar’s sports car lineage. The dramatically beautiful 2+2 sports car acknowledges the marque’s rich history but like all great Jaguar sports cars, the focus of the all-new XK is on the future.

It is the most technically advanced Jaguar ever built with an advanced lightweight aluminium structure and is assembled in Castle Bromwich, West Midlands. The V8 develops 300bhp and is fitted with a Jaguar Sequential Shift six-speed automatic transmission incorporating steering wheel mounted paddles for manual gear changes.

The 0-60mph time is 5.9 seconds, the quarter mile is covered in 14.4 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Prices will be released shortly before it goes on sale in early 2006 and a convertible will follow with further details released later this year.