An Eye For Detail

Jaguars are sensual automobiles.

The company’s new global marketing campaign, “Prefer Gorgeous,” seems to continue to remind us of this very point.

Jaguars are sexy, the German competition is not.

The last XK8/XKR coupé/convertible was a magnificent car. It reignited the marque and rejuvenated the sporting (and sexy) heritage of the E-Type.


Who knew that the British could be so passionate?

The new XK is much more controversial. Less velvet, more hard-tuned performance.


That might not be a bad thing. However, two things are indisputable:

• the new XK is less graceful than the old

• the new XK looks to be a cheaper sibling of the Aston Martin DB9.

That said, history reminds us that the old XK was modeled closely on the Aston Martin DB7. That XK was the better looking car. In this scenario, the tables have turned.

Still, what rescues the Jaguar from being the cheaper Aston is the marque’s magnificent predilection for the attention to luxurious detail.

The wood. The leather. The glove box. The shifter. Each are designed and implemented to be fluid and graceful.



The new interior is modernist where the old was classic. Both work beautifully.

A favorite new feature of mine is the option for poplar wood trim; bold and beautiful it is a striking standout.

Touches of chrome and brushed aluminum (or aluminium – depending on which side of the Anglophonic Pond you align yourself) create sharp contrasts to the new cockpit, as the chrome managed by itself in the old.

I like the new interior. I warm to it more and more. I loved the old interior – especially the original version of the late 90s that did not feature separate headrests on the front seats.

I am luke warm on the new exterior – though aspects such as the line of the roof are stunning – the front nose is much too reminiscent of a European Ford.

Perhaps time will soften my stance. After all it is a Jaguar and by which it still stands to be among the most graceful, sensual of cars on the road.

• For more information on the old XK, click the link: Jaguar Cars USA

• For more information on the new XK, click the link: Jaguar Cars UK