Jaguar XK Convertible

The stylish ragtop uses the same underpinnings as its coupe stablemate, and its advanced aluminium body structure is said to provide high levels of rigidity -- yet it weighs just 1635kg, undercutting the Mercedes-Benz SL500 by more than 200kg.

The drop-top XK will be offered initially with a 224kW/420Nm 4.2lt normally aspirated V8, but a supercharged XKR variant is expected further down the track.

Adding to enjoyment levels will be a smooth-shifting ZF six-speed auto with manual shift capability via steering wheel-mounted paddles. This set-up replaces the unloved J-gate transmission that detracted from its predecessor.

Jag quotes a 6.3sec split for the 0-100km/h dash, and top speed is an electronically governed 250km/h, which puts it in the same performance ballpark as BMW's drop-top 645Ci.

The convertible's triple lined fabric roof can be lowered or raised in less than 18 seconds at the touch of a button, claims Jaguar. And, when lowered, it stows fully out of sight beneath an aluminium tonneau cover.

Standard safety features include the usual raft of airbags and electronic driver aids, plus a rollover protection system whereby two 'hidden' aluminium hoops deploy in milliseconds if on-board sensors detect that things are about to go pear-shaped.

The new XK Convertible is expected Down Under in the second half of 2006, with pricing likely to increase from today's $216K entry point -- due to the higher production costs associated with the aluminium-intensive newcomer.