We had a talk from Ian McCallum (designer of all recent AM's and also the new XK) at the XK Enthusiasts Club meet last year. Some reading between the lines was needed, but it was apparant that the major reason the new XK is not half as sexy as the old one is compliance with modern safety standards. The back is very high to get the eye level brake lights in the right place while still accommodating two golf bags in the boot (yeah really) and the front is too high so it can accommodate the gizmos that save idiot pedestrians when they run out in front of you. I think he also just screwed up on the front, it's just not pretty. Word is Jaguar already have a very nice body refresh standing by which might go on to the 500bhp XKR/R as and when they persuade Ford to make that project official. In the mean time several after market modification companies are launching body kits.

It's still too expensive though, where as the far nicer looking old model can be picked up for peanuts these days. Of course the running costs call for a whole other kind of nut.

Rob