Jaguar's XK series, once something of a head-turning beauty, has in recent years begun to look decidedly frumpy.
Its tidy, simple rear end has begun to take on the appearance of a Victorian bustle, and when measured against the more muscular looks of latest generation sports cars now appears dowdy. The slim elegance of its nose, with visual cues to the Big Cats of yesteryear, now looks a little pinched.
Cosmetic surgery was very much needed, especially in the light of the aggressive styling of its immediate competitors such as the BMW 6-Series. So for 2006, Jaguar has injected the XK8 with a new machismo. Gone are the slightly feminine lines of the old order, and in place of the gently flaring hips there are now vicious arches, shark-like side vents - a generally tougher stance.
Seen here, on location in Cape Town, South Africa, for a film shoot, the photograph reveals a car which bears many similarities to the Advanced Lighweight Concept (ALC) unveiled at Detroit in January
As with the ALC, the XK bears design similarities to Aston Martin's DB9 and Vanquish models. Hardly suprising as the man behind both cars is British designer Ian Callum.
Callum seems to have incorporated aspects of the DB9 with additional nods to the Big Cat's past, particularly in the manner in which the rear screen tapers the base of the rear end - a look back, perhaps, to the E-Type.
The XK also looks as though it will offer a hatchback door, again similar to the E-Type. This will offer extra trunk access - perfect for slotting in a couple of sets of golf clubs, which seems to be a prerequisite for grand touring sports cars these days.
So far few details have emerged as to the engine specifications and technical details of the new XK series, though the picture indicate that a 4.2 litre V8 version will be part of the line-up.
As with other new Jaguars and the ALC, the 2006 XK will also benefit from Jaguar's aluminium body architecture technology. It's expected that the new Jaguar XK will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this coming September with sales starting soon after. The new XK will be a 2+2 seater and a convertible version is expected at a later date.
Rumour has it that inside, the new XK will feature more modern interior styling than the current model, doing away with a lot of the "gentleman's club" feel and replacing it with a more futuristic approach that will incorporate an HVAC display and an "infotainment" system with "haptic" controls - this apparently means that the controls will gently vibrate so the driver will know they have been accessed, without having to take his/her eyes off the road.