I have had two xk's 97 and 00 and never had the infamous "green shower" from hydraulic linkage in the windshield overhead area but know it was a constant threat. Do the next generation XK's not have this potential disaster? Are the hooks that come up to grab the the roof not hydraulic controlled? Did they fix potential problems hopefully? Just wondering if I have to buy an umbrella for my 09XK vert?

 

No they do not have the issue. That top other than back glass coming loose from top is mostly trouble free

 

The top on the newer model has an electrical actuator that draws in the top to latch...no hydraulics are involved in the header.

The system still uses multiple plastic hydraulic hoses, but they appear to be more durable and more reliably crimped to their terminations than on the older models.

It is possible to 'confuse' the system, just as on the older model, but it happens rarely, and normally only due to excessive starting and stopping of the cycle or a very weak battery. The top can be manually folded in case of this abnormal event and will reset and resync.