Jaguar XK The Lightweight Supercar

Jaguar's new XK supercar is a stunning looking car, bound to turn heads wherever goes. It has the beauty and sleekness of some of the old Jaguars of the 1960s. Yet like those masterpieces, the real story of the new XK, and what sets it apart from its competitors is what lurks beneath the paintwork.

No, this time it is not some sensational engine, as it was with the XK120, but the fact that the body is made from aluminum - like the new Jaguar XJ.

The idea of using aluminum – Honda started the trend 15 years ago with the NSX, and was quickly followed by Audi with the A8 – is to reduce weight. Honda reduced a lot of weight with the NSX sports car – the body was 40 per cent lighter than if had been made from steel.

Aluminum bodies last longer than steel ones because the metal does not corrode like steel, and they also absorb crash impact well – so they are safe. Now, several auto companies use aluminum for some body parts, but Jaguar is a world leader in making cars from aluminum sheet and extrusions.

Jaguar XK Motor Car

of the best things about the Jaguar XK is that the car is incredibly easy to control. The XK features an aluminum shell that is lighter and stronger than the steel that is used in most cars. The aluminum alloy body shell is rivet-bonded, a monocoque design that increases stiffness, reduces weight, and improves road performance. The design also uses a clever Computer Active Technology Suspension that detects the contours of the road and adjusts the car for the optimum ride. The four-wheel antilock brakes and TracDSC feature to improve stability during cornering adding to the driving pleasure.

Safety in the XK may easily be overlooked when compared to the cars performance, but it has by no means been forgotten. Ventilated anti-lock disc brakes are used on all four wheels, with oversized discs in the XKR coupe. The disc sizes are are sized to match engine power. The pressure in each tire is continuously monitored. Adaptive Restraint Technology deploys front airbags according to passenger weight, and crash severity, while side airbags help protect front occupants in certain side collisions. And for the convertible model, sensors deploy high-strength aluminum hoops in case of rollover, creating a shield zone to help protect passengers.