Updates for Jaguar's Least and Most Expensive Vehicles

In steps both little and big, British luxury car maker Jaguar has been chippingaway at the big task of rebuilding and revitalizing its product lineup. Earlier this year, Jaguar’s stylists, product planners and engineers took to the task of updating the brand’s mid-sized and full-sized luxury sedans. Both the S-Type and the XJ-Series received minor stylistic updates in order to convey a more youthful look. Before the release of the brand new XF sedan, scheduled for launch early next year, Jaguar has committed a little bit of extra money to freshening the other half of its lineup, the X-Type and the XK sports car.

First the X-Type, as its modifications are what we’d describe as minimal at best. With stagnant sales on a vehicle that is now showing its age, the littlest Jaguar will receive a brand new grille that’s finished in brightwork, plus two new colors - Porcelain White and Blue Prism. The rest of the update has more or less to do with equipment levels, including Bluetooth connectivity and 17-inch wheels as standard equipment. Stability control too, plus rain-sensing wipers andauto-dimming mirrors will be standard as well. In Europe, the 3.0-liter V6 engine has been dropped for the sedan, remaining in place only on the wagon model. Additionally, most of the sedan range is front-wheel drive, rather than all-wheel drive.

Meanwhile, the XK Coupe and Convertible receive more substantial changes. Introduced just a year ago, by far the biggest modification that it receives is the surgical removal of the unsightly antenna that used to adorn its rear fender; one that has been integrated into the rear spoiler has replaced it. That embarrassing antenna, which made this elegant six-figure sports car look like an oversized remote control car, should have never made it into production! Other changes center around delivering a more luxuriouscabin that’s higher in quality. For instance, the wood and aluminum trim have revised textures, and the stalks for the indicators and windshield wipers now include chromed rings. There’s now also the option of piano black lacquer as a trim, providing a balance between traditional wood trim and a sportier-looking finish.

What’s more, Jaguar has decided to make some of the individual features from the Portfolio package available on lesser XK models. For instance, there is the Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system as well as the upgraded leather upholstery, which includes contrasting stitching. The 420-hp, supercharged XKR now receives 20-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. There wasn’t any information in Jaguar’s press release regarding the new JaguarDrive transmission interface system, which we wrote about last week, despite the fact that an XKR was spied sporting this system. Hopefully it won’t be much longer ’till this new interface arrives.