Jaguar XK 5.0 Convertible (2009) first drive

Don’t blink, or you’ll miss the ever-so-subtle facelift that identifies the latest Jaguar XK Convertible: reprofiled front bumpers, mirrors with integrated LED indicators, new rear valance, LED tail lights and colour-coded side vents. A bit less subtle is the direct-injection 5.0-litre V8, up from 4.2 litres and with matching respective 26% and 23% boosts to power and torque. Put simply, the new XK pollutes less than the old 4.2 and matches it for economy, but it’s about as quick as the old supercharged XKR.

Blimey - this new Jaguar XK Convertible sounds quick. It must be expensive then.

This thing is way faster than it looks, especially in the golf-sweater blue with slacks-cream leather trim of our test car, but go for standard spec and you’re looking at Merc SL350 money (the Merc’s a mere V6). Even in swanky top-spec Portfolio trim it undercuts the SL500 (a good match for power and torque; Jag beats Merc on economy and emissions) by more than six grand. Jaguar’s carrying on in the old E-type tradition of offering speed and sex appeal to die for without charging the most for it.

So, how does it drive then?

Depends how you want it to drive. There’s a new XF-style cylindrical gear selector that rises from the centre console when you hit the Start button. Turn it to D and you’ll waft around in the torque-heavy Jag tradition, accompanied by a surprisingly strident and characterful V8 soundtrack, that’s been specially engineered-in. There’s ample go, but the auto-box tends to avoid shifting down unless you’re really insistent, preferring instead to suggest that you simply rely on that flow of torque.

Fancy more oomph? Shift the selector clockwise to S, so the new six-speeder is more inclined to kickdown and will hang on to gears much longer, allowing you to better control your approach to bends. And if it’s still not sharp enough, reach for the excellent paddles instead and do it yourself.