Filed under: Jaguar,Coupe,Future,Luxury,Performance

There have been rumors about plans to replace the Jaguar XK since before the gentleman's coupe ended production in 2014. Depending on which rumor you read, a reborn XK could remain compact and offer a 3.0-liter turbodiesel, grow a bit and move upmarket to challenge the Mercedes S-Class Coupe, or grow even more and challenge the Bentley Continental GT as "an elegant four-seater coupe." About the only three consistent details have been that the new XK would ride on a reworked F-Type platform, thatContinue reading Jaguar laying groundwork for a reborn XK

Jaguar laying groundwork for a reborn XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2018 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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The options for a replacement XK were drip fed to the media by Jaguar even before the last model was withdrawn and have been revived several times since then. Sadly, as time passes, the possibility of an equivalent to the XK becomes less likely because the market has changed. The demographic is no longer old men like me who have owned and driven Jaguars throughout their adult life. Selling mid price cars in small numbers to this sector doesn't generate sufficient return on investment; selling high price cars in the next sector up (Mercedes/Bentley) as suggested may be an exciting vanity project but it makes even less financial sense.

Jaguar is presently responding to demand for SUV and hybrid which is driven by a combination of market manipulation, the competition and forthcoming regulations. Efficient and profitable as this may be but the current models hardly set the pulse racing.

A 2+2 or four seater coupe and convertible model doesn't fit the demands of the sports car buyer at one extreme or the family at the other.Jaguar claims to be committed to 'sports' cars. Even more interesting than what they have said is what they have not said. A replacement for the F-Type is essential to retain a presence in market. This brings back the same arguement that killed the XK - a GT in addition to a 2 seater sports car is not sustainable.

Jaguar will not release sales figures for the XK/XKR. That is their prerogative but they cannot conceal the numbers registered in the UK - the figures are published by DVLA and make depressing reading. The margins are unlikely to have covered costs let alone generated the millions required to develop a next generation XK.

Graham