AutoArt 2006 Jaguar XK Coupe Right hand drive

Aston Martin regained their mojo before recently spinning off from Ford Motor Company. They re-established road racing credentials in the ALMS and ELMS, kicked BMW out of the Bond movies and became relevant with the Porsche crowd with the V8 Vantage super cruiser.

So what about that other British sports car legend Jaguar?

That road back is not easily traversed. The link to Ford has probably diluted the Jag brand more than Ford’s other international properties. I’m reminded of Volkswagen’s impact on the Rolls Royce marque during their brief ownership of the legendary Crewe automaker. But if there’s a glimmer of hope in the land of the big cat, it is the XK, modeled here in the coupe version by AUTO art and recently seen GT3 racing in Europe.

The car’s sleek design, truly groundbreaking in the last version is even more streamlined here. Modeled in midnight black metallic paint, the car looks to be cloaked in night itself, casting a shimmer with each ray of available light. This is especially true along the muscular rear fenders that look more like haunches than sheet metal. The AUTO art paint is typically impressive. My sample model came with some sort of machine oil on the roof but that was easily buffed off.

The interior is a light tan, a perfect contrast to the darkness that sheathes the model and is twisted up nicely by the AUTO art including carpeted floors and accented dash. Doors shut tightly with the joint barely visible. The hatch opens smartly though surprisingly the interior is not similarly color coded to the front of the car. The hatch surface has a surprisingly rugged feel.

The engine, with its Eaton supercharger capable of ramping the car up to 420 bhp, is a bit of a letdown, looking more like art than a screaming power plant – but such is the modern way - the engine cloaked by modesty panels. The hood stays open without an assist and that’s a step forward for AUTO art. Brilliant headlights, taillights, chrome trim and badging? Well, AUTO art’s always been good at that stuff and this model, particularly the gleaming, complex headlight array, will enhance that reputation.

We live a bit of a sheltered life here in Minnesota – we don’t see many Jags here in winter wonderland. On my last trip to LA, I was on the 405 heading north in a Dodge to meet a good friend for lunch in Burbank when one of these XK Jags blew by me. The shape was astounding and the sound invigorating. I tried to keep up so I could get a better look, but met with no success. Thanks to AUTO art, now I can stare all I want.

-Rusty Hurley