It's spring at last, the Dow is flip-flopping, and — if you're in the right bracket and the damn market goes back up — the Bushies will be giving you just about enough of a tax cut to buy an expensive convertible. For sure, there's nothing like a shiny new convertible to scoop up the joys of spring and blow 'em right into your face. And we have some pretty blossoms in the bunch this year.For one, the new Jaguar XK convertible, with an all-aluminum body, is now light enough in naturally aspirated form to run within a half-second of the previous generation's supercharged version. Launched close to the debut of its coupe equivalent, the XK convertible benefits from having been a part of the original engineering job. Which means it's inherently stiff and sturdy by design — Jaguar says 50 percent more so than its predecessor, which was known for shivering and shuddering its way across rough surfaces.
The new XK convertible is powered by a 300-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 via a six-speed ZF transmission with a specially massaged manumatic system for super-fast shifts. Traction control, dynamic stability control, and Jaguar's CATS variable-damping shock-absorber control are standard. The fabric convertible top is fully automatic, able to stow itself in about 18 seconds, and as we've become accustomed in Jaguars, the interior is a welcoming blend of burl veneer and soft leather.
Even more welcoming — particularly in this expensive grouping of convertibles — is the XK's as-tested price of $85,200. That makes it the least expensive bloom in the bunch.
No comments:
Post a Comment