Jaguar to Send Off XK in the States with Final Fifty Limited Edition
The end is near for the Jaguar XK. You can blame its advanced age and the popularity of the new F-TYPE for that.
It will not go out with a whimper, though. Jaguar will end production of the model with the loaded and powerful Final Fifty Limited Edition. The Coventry automaker will make 25 coupes and 25 convertibles – all in Ultimate Black.
Mechanically, each car will be a combination of gear from several XK variants. The basis of a Final Fifty will be the 510-horsepower supercharged XKR; the vehicle’s 5-liter V8 will be stuffed under the louvered hood from the XKR-S GT. “The car’s handling prowess is elevated by adopting chassis features and tuning from the XKR-S model, including a 10 mm reduction in ride height, forged and fully machined front suspension components with dedicated spring and damper settings and an upgraded Adaptive Dynamics suspension system.”
Each FF is also set to feature the Dynamic Pack and Performance Pack. The former will help the FF reach 174 mph, as opposed to the XKR’s top speed of 155. The latter will add Ivory white Performance seats with matching Diamond Sewn stitching, as well as a Performance Active Exhaust system. An acoustic filter at the rear of the Final Fifty’s engine will pump intake sound into the cabin during spirited driving.
Jaguar will start manufacturing the Final Fifty XKs this summer and have them in U.S. dealerships early this fall.
You can read all of the details about the swan-song run of the big kitty coupe and convertible in the press release below.
Press Release
JAGUAR TO OFFER 2015 XK FINAL FIFTY LIMITED EDITION TO U.S. CUSTOMERS
(NEW YORK) – April 17, 2014 – Jaguar announced at the New York International Auto Show that it will exclusively offer U.S. customers a limited-edition XK model to mark the end of this model’s production during the 2015 model year. The XK Final Fifty limited edition is based on the 510hp XKR model and will be limited to 25 coupes and 25 convertibles.
The 2015 XK Final Fifty limited edition will be the last 50 XKR models produced for the U.S. market, and will be built during the summer of 2014, reaching showrooms in early fall. In creating the XK Final Fifty limited edition, Jaguar took inspiration from the special final edition of its iconic E-Type sports car in 1974. Fifty E-Type roadsters were made, 49 in black over cinnamon trim and one in British Racing Green, each identified by a special plaque. They are highly sought-after collectibles today.
The 2015 XK Final Fifty limited edition commemorates the evolution of Jaguar grand touring coupes and convertibles that emerged after the E-Type, starting with the XJS in the 1970s and then the XK8 in the 1990s. All have combined distinctive 2+2 style and luxury with high power and polished performance.
These limited edition models will be painted Ultimate Black, with the Convertible featuring a black top. Styling is enhanced by the louvered hood from the limited-production XKR-S GT model – a design highlight that was inspired by the classic E-Type. Inside, all standard XKR luxury is present, with each of these limited edition models identified by a special badge on the center console and an inscribed doorsill treadplate.
Performance upgrades are also included in the XK Final Fifty limited edition, as it will be equipped with both the Dynamic Pack and Performance Pack that are normally optional for XKR models. The Dynamic Pack widens the car’s performance envelope. Special side sills, a rear diffuser and larger rear wing provide the improved aerodynamics needed for Jaguar to provide a 174 mph limited top track speed capability3, compared to the standard 155 mph limited top speed3 for the standard XKR.
The car’s handling prowess is elevated by adopting chassis features and tuning from the XKR-S model, including a 10 mm reduction in ride height, forged and fully machined front suspension components with dedicated spring and damper settings and an upgraded Adaptive Dynamics suspension system1. The Dynamic Pack also adds ‘Vortex’ 20-inch forged wheels.
The Performance Pack contributes Performance seats in Diamond Sewn stitch pattern, Performance Active Exhaust and a Jet Suedecloth steering wheel. The Diamond Sew stitch pattern on the front seat backrests and head restraints and on the rear-seat backrests is rendered in Ivory white stich over Ivory white soft grain leather.
With exhaust valves that open at higher engine speeds, the Performance Active Exhaust system issues an especially powerful note. In addition, a special acoustic filter at the rear of the engine, tuned to “tenor C,” feeds some intake sound to the cabin under hard acceleration.
XK Design Imbues Modernity with Brand Heritage
Melding classic Jaguar design with lightweight yet highly rigid aluminum construction and near-bespoke finishes and luxury, the XK models exemplify the Jaguar tradition of offering outstanding performance, agility and value in the premium luxury category. The current-generation XK was the first Jaguar car designed under the auspices of Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum, whose signature adorns the Final Fifty limited edition badge on the interior. The long-hood, short-deck theme echoes classic Jaguar sports cars while providing a luxurious 2+2 cockpit and usable luggage space.
The standard Xenon automatic headlights include a power wash function and dynamic leveling. Corner lights improve visibility while cornering. Distinctive LED signature running lights, integrated into the headlights, provide a bold and modern look when the XK is in motion. Active Front Lighting directs the headlight beam to focus in the direction of steering input1.
The XK Convertible provides a generous 11.1 cubic-foot trunk (with top up), and the Coupe offers 11.7 cubic feet of space, with the added convenience of rear liftback access.
Advanced Aluminum Structures and Engines
Advanced chassis technology, combined with the inherent weight and stiffness benefits of the aluminum structure, allows the Jaguar XK models to shine through corners while providing a very comfortable ride.
The XK models are based on a lightweight body shell architecture constructed from a combination of pressed, cast and extruded aluminum alloy components. These are riveted and bonded together using aerospace industry techniques adapted for automotive use by Jaguar, and the materials and processes produce a light body shell with very high structural integrity. The structure’s strength, rigidity and lightness provide the foundation for the XK models’ exciting performance and its occupant safety systems.
510hp Supercharged V8
Powering the XK Final Fifty limited edition, the XKR supercharged version of the AJ-V8 Gen III 5-liter V8 engine produces 510hp and 461 lb.-ft. of torque, the latter sustained from just 2,500 rpm through 5,500 rpm. A twin vortex system (TVS) supercharger and twin water-cooled intercoolers are efficiently packaged in the engine’s V. The XK Final Fifty limited edition can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds3 and, with its standard Dynamic Pack, can achieve a top track speed of 174 mph3.
The all-aluminum four-cam Jaguar V8 engines combine high power with high efficiency, thanks to such technologies as spray-guided direct fuel injection and dual independent variable cam timing. An electronically controlled, fully adaptive six-speed automatic transmission with the unique cast alloy JaguarDrive Selector™ as well as the Jaguar Sequential Shift™ function operated by steering-wheel paddles. The transmission is designed to be maintenance-free with “filled-for-life” fluid.
Advanced Chassis Dynamics
The standard Adaptive Dynamics active suspension damping system optimizes handling agility and ride comfort1. The system is designed to monitor body movement 100 times per second and wheel position 500 times per second and automatically increases the damping rate as the suspension approaches the limits of its travel. Adaptive Dynamics also controls wheel hop on uneven roads by rapidly varying the damping to move any wheel out of a natural bouncing frequency, benefiting ride comfort, handling and tire grip.
From the JaguarDrive Control™ interface, the driver can select different modes for Adaptive Dynamics. In Dynamic Mode, Adaptive Dynamics increases body control for a sportier feel and also provides more responsive accelerator pedal reaction and quicker gearshift responses. The Dynamic Stability Control system offers four driver-selectable modes: Normal, Winter, Trac DSC and DSC OFF. Winter Mode yields a more damped accelerator pedal response to provide progressive control in slippery conditions, with different shift settings that delay and soften gearshifts, also for better control on low grip surfaces1.
In the XKR and XK Final Fifty limited edition models, Adaptive Dynamics operates in tandem with Active Differential Control (ADC) to optimize available traction at each rear wheel, improving acceleration on low-grip surfaces while enhancing cornering ability. The clutch-type electronic differential is operated by an internal electric motor and ball-and-ramp mechanism and transmits torque to the wheel with the most traction. This proactive system differs fundamentally from conventional traction control, which uses the brakes reactively to counteract slip. The ADC goes beyond the capability of mechanical limited slip differentials by actively vectoring torque to improve traction and cornering, especially during spirited driving and in inclement weather1.
Jaguar Luxury
As in Jaguar XF and XJ models, the XK models greet the driver with a “handshake” sequence. Enter the XK using the standard keyless entry and keyless start system, then press the pulsing start button, and the cast alloy JaguarDrive Selector™ rises from the console. When the engine is stopped, the JaguarDrive Selector™ lowers automatically.
Standard equipment includes a dual zone automatic climate control system, auto dimming electro-chromatic power-folding exterior mirrors and front and rear Park Assist with touch-screen visual indicators and rear backup camera1. Heated front seats with 16-way power adjustment and memory are standard equipment. The instruments emphasize the car’s performance character with red pointers against white instrument gauge illumination.
The Convertible’s triple-lined fabric roof, which preserves the classic sports car profile, can be powered up or down in less than 18 seconds at speeds up to 20 mph. When lowered, the top stores in the bodywork behind the rear seats under a smooth cover. The raised top provides a level of fit that minimizes wind noise and road noise even at high speeds. The top’s luxurious interior finish is nearly indistinguishable from that of a closed coupe.
Using the 7-inch touch-screen, the driver or front passenger can access functions for the climate control, navigation system, Bluetooth® mobile connectivity and for Jaguar’s Portable Audio Interface, which are all standard2. The Portable Audio Interface provides iPod® connectivity and enables connection of other music storage devices through a USB port to the audio system, with full touch-screen control2.
The standard Bowers & Wilkins® audio system features 525W maximum output, Dolby® ProLogic® II Surround Sound, Kevlar® midrange speakers and aluminum tweeters. Both SiriusXM Satellite Radio™ and HD Radio™ are standard.
Jaguar Safety
All XK models are equipped with front, front side and thorax airbags4. Additionally, Jaguar’s front head restraint system helps protect against whiplash in the event of a rear impact. The XK Convertible’s hidden rollover protection system deploys instantly if sensors identify a risk, helping provide protection for the occupants1.
via [Jaguar]
