Global Vehicles

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October 2005

Jaguar's new XK weighs in

Like an airplane, light weight, high power, and refined aerodynamics were key design criteria for Jaguar's new XK sports coupe unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The car continues the use of riveted and epoxy bonded technology (extrapolated from the aerospace industry) already applied to the current XJ sedan to create an aluminum monocoque body structure. Aluminum is also used for castings, extrusions, and body panels. New jointing technologies have been developed by Jaguar and its suppliers. The resulting curb mass is 1595 kg (3516 lb), compared with 1685 kg (3715 lb) for the outgoing model, and the body shell is 31% stiffer.
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