Meet the most futuristic transmission set-up in the world. It will appear on the facelifted version of Jaguar's XK, which engineers have been putting the finishing touches to.

A new flagship R model will be powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with nearly 500bhp. But the firm is also planning a radical reworking of the cabin, with the new-look gearshift central to the design.

Jaguar has decided to ditch the J-Gate-style selector in favour of this futuristic dial arrangement, which rises up automatically when the engine is switched on.

Wile the basic design of the gearshifter debuted on the C-XF concept at the Detroit Motor Show in January, this is the first picture that shows how the system is likely to work.

Instead of a conventional stick, it's thought owners will be able to choose from Park, Neutral, Drive and Reverse by twisting the metal drum that comes up out of the centre console when the ignition is turned on.

They can also decide between fully automatic or semi-automatic transmission modes - with the latter, gearchanges are made via paddleshifters mounted on the steering wheel.

Although there has been no official word from Jaguar, it's thought this innovative arrangement will also be offered on the new XF, which is due to debut at this autumn's Frankfurt expo. As well as its gearbox set-up, the XF is tipped to share some of the two-door's switchgear, which means customers can expect upmarket cockpits in both machines.

On the outside, the new XK is set too look similar to the existing coupé lauched in 2006. But big changes will be made to the interior, chassis and engine range. Also, the dated antenna - which rises automatically out of the car's rear - will make way for a system hidden in the bootlid. Other likely improvements include uprated sat-nav and climate control systems. A new traction control set-up has also been developed, plus revised gearbox programming for even faster, smoother shifts.

Prices for the new car have yet to be discussed. But despite the improvements promised by the transmission, it's thought the revised XK range - due on forecourts here in early 2008 - will only show a small price rise over the current like-up.

Copied directly from Auto Express magazine, issue 964.


Spy photo of the new XK's interior:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5655/newxkrinteriorrm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Sorry for the poor-quality picture, I took it with my phone camera out of my Auto Express magazine; I can't find the photo anywhere.

Spy photos of the new XK:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6061027.002/country/ecf/Jaguar/spy-photos-jaguar-xk-facelift

Hey ???

So they are changing the interior already wtf ? Its only been like less than two years and there already changing the car what a waste of the old interior !!!

^ there were a few minor complaints things in the interior, and the antenna on the rear got slaughtered. they can't afford to leave them, so they are gonna smooth out the errors. also, the 420bhp, 560Nm 4.2 supercharged V8 in the current XKR is said to not be powerful enough to match competition (:|). and if this 500bhp, 700Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 isn't, then nothing will be :-k.

^ there were a few minor complaints things in the interior, and the antenna on the rear got slaughtered. they can't afford to leave them, so they are gonna smooth out the errors. also, the 420bhp, 560Nm 4.2 supercharged V8 in the current XKR is said to not be powerful enough to match competition (:|). and if this 500bhp, 700Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 isn't, then nothing will be :-k.

Yeah thats because it was from the Ford Cortina lol had to have a buchers in the Ford recycling bin lol !!!

Yeah, nothing special. New bigger engine, thats all. And yes, its been pretty much recycled over from Fords old stuff, unless we dont know something. New interior sounds pretty futuristic, although it might not be so practical.

Yeah, nothing special. New bigger engine, thats all. And yes, its been pretty much recycled over from Fords old stuff, unless we dont know something. New interior sounds pretty futuristic, although it might not be so practical.

bigger, more powerful engine. no doubt it'll be cleaner and more fuel efficient than the 4.2, too.

lol, that's just a stereotype. Jaguar uses all its own switchgear really... if you tried find something Ford in the new range of cars and you'd be quite stuck.

how can it not be so practical? if anything, it'll be more practical with uprated kit and the lack of a gear lever, giving more space for storage.

wow, now you can get a knob to go with your paddles...

It's just the same as all the other seq. autos, only this time you don't get buttons, you get a knob. Something really cool is the traction control on the Lotus 2-11 prototypes. they get a knob, but it controls the ferocity of the traction control. You can change the angle of the drift with it.

I had seen the spy-shots of the new gear selector, and think that Ford (Jaguar) had to try something new. The image of Jags is that they are cars driven by hundred and eleventy billion twelve year-old men, and something needed to be done. I think that Ford do want to invest in new cars and new technology but they don't want to be silly about it.

There are some better photos of the interior of the Jag on the internet, and also some shot of the XKRR prototype and that looks seriously good and with 500 bhp+, and equivalent torque, it should go like a rocket. I would buy one if I had the money.

Here are some more photos if anyone is interested. Taken from MotorAuthority:

XKRR prototype: Honestly, tell me this is a bad looking car!
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2923/xkrspy01qe5.jpg
More of the XKRR from :-k
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2640/jaguardrivegg1kgpedjv6.jpg
This is a clearer spy-shot from guess who?
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3310/jaguardrivegg3kgpednn8.jpg
Another one from?
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6681/jaguardrivegg2kgpedak8.jpg

Hmm, the new futuristic transmission setup should be interesting, this idea has never been thought of before so it should be preety cool to see how good it is and how it works. And also for the interior, it looks weird becuase it's missing the conventional stick that everybody's used to. But lets just wait and see how good it is when it's released...

^^And thanks for those clearer pics mate.

here are some spy shots of the new xf:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/production-jaguar-xf-spied.html

the only thing i found again to be changed is the front little grill, other than that, its just like a normal XK outside, te interior looks neat, but the seats looks weird

i got rid of the annoying logos and changed the paint job to blue

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s284/Bit3Th3Bull3t/jaguarxkpaintcopy.jpg

Honestly, I can't find the purpose of this facelift except for the futuristic transmission....

-3000th post-

Oh this is a great car for my opinion.It has 500bhp and it will be very fast from the old one.And it has gearshifter and paddles in the steering wheel.I like it.Also the car from exterior is the same with the old one.I will agree with Robbie that only the front grill is different.How much it will cost this jaguar?I think a little higher than the previous one.

Just i noticed in the pictures of shortrootand scarecrow's that in the first pic the car has another rims at the rear and another at the front.

Oh this is a great car for my opinion.It has 500bhp and it will be very fast from the old one.And it has gearshifter and paddles in the steering wheel.I like it.Also the car from exterior is the same with the old one.I will agree with Robbie that only the front grill is different.How much it will cost this jaguar?I think a little higher than the previous one.

Just i noticed in the pictures of shortrootand scarecrow's that in the first pic the car has another rims at the rear and another at the front.

it's always had paddleshifts. the exterior will be slightly changed, as you can see the front will be different, some changes to the exhaust pipes, rims and a few more minor changes. it'll be only slightly more expensive than the older model.

that's only because it's a test mule, it won't actually come with two different rims front and rear...

So their giving the XK a facelift and making a new XKR R-Performance? Wow, cant wait to see that, but its a bit soon for a facelift already, it only came out like last year

it's always had paddleshifts. the exterior will be slightly changed, as you can see the front will be different, some changes to the exhaust pipes, rims and a few more minor changes. it'll be only slightly more expensive than the older model.

that's only because it's a test mule, it won't actually come with two different rims front and rear...
Yes i know it. Just i wanted to mention it.
That's amazing if they increase little its price. It would be a bargain.
Yes i know it. But seemed weird to me.Why to have another rims to the front and to the rear.? Probably they did some tests or something.

I think it's like when companies wrap test cars with black fabric so thata they can't be recognized...

Yes i know it. Just i wanted to mention it.
That's amazing if they increase little its price. It would be a bargain.
Yes i know it. But seemed weird to me.Why to have another rims to the front and to the rear.? Probably they did some tests or something.

yeah, it already is a bargain. it's so much cheaper than its rivals like the BMW 6-Series M6 and Mercedes SL55 AMG, yet it offers just as good, if not better, dynamics and so on, and is only 0.2 seconds slower from 0-60 than the BMW, due to its higher torque and lower weight. it is a bargain to be fair, and Jaguars have always thrived on that. good value for money, good standard kit and build quality. one thing they always seem to 'lack' compared to its rivals is power, but not by far. this'll change it all. bring it on new SL63 AMG, M6 and RS5! :D. they may be some new rims that'll feature on the new car, yet are covered in black paint or black coverings to disguise them, or protect them from brake dust, maybe. car companies do these things to confuse us, and, it evidently works, eh?

EDIT: i remember years ago when i was like 10, when my dad bought a disguised X-Type home from work that he was allow to borrow for the weekend, but this was covered in the black stuff you see on test mules, 'cause it wasn't a production version... damn that was a long time ago! my dad's bought an XJ6 and Super V8 home too. he tried to get them to let him bring a Vanquish or a DB9 back for a weekend (they let his workmate do it to go to a family wedding, which is what my dad bought the Daimler Super V8 home for, my nan's wedding), but they were all in use that weekend. i would'a been out in it with him all weekend with it! free fuel, too; all he has to do is go to work and use their petrol pump haha! and that happens to be a 15-minute drive (on clear roads) from our house. ah i wish he could of. my dad's mate took the Vanquish, and he said he got so many stares it was unbelievable. from that exhaust note, who could resist!?

I don't really see the point in changing the interior. The new transmission is a good idea, but we'll just have to see what actually happens when it's tested, so see if it's smoother, faster and more likeable. The interior, as it was, is great, looks fantastic with the chrome, the steering wheel's good, so's the dash and the centre console....not really to complain about there, so I dunno why it's being changed....maybe a marketing ploy to get people to buy the car for it's ''new'' interior, because they might not just want a new car for a new transmission design. The XK, outside, to me, is perfect, so no changes are needed there. So long as they don't ruin anything, I'm fine.

yeah, it already is a bargain. it's so much cheaper than its rivals like the BMW 6-Series M6 and Mercedes SL55 AMG, yet it offers just as good, if not better, dynamics and so on, and is only 0.2 seconds slower from 0-60 than the BMW, due to its higher torque and lower weight. it is a bargain to be fair, and Jaguars have always thrived on that. good value for money, good standard kit and build quality. one thing they always seem to 'lack' compared to its rivals is power, but not by far. this'll change it all. bring it on new SL63 AMG, M6 and RS5! :D. they may be some new rims that'll feature on the new car, yet are covered in black paint or black coverings to disguise them, or protect them from brake dust, maybe. car companies do these things to confuse us, and, it evidently works, eh?

EDIT: i remember years ago when i was like 10, when my dad bought a disguised X-Type home from work that he was allow to borrow for the weekend, but this was covered in the black stuff you see on test mules, 'cause it wasn't a production version... damn that was a long time ago! my dad's bought an XJ6 and Super V8 home too. he tried to get them to let him bring a Vanquish or a DB9 back for a weekend (they let his workmate do it to go to a family wedding, which is what my dad bought the Daimler Super V8 home for, my nan's wedding), but they were all in use that weekend. i would'a been out in it with him all weekend with it! free fuel, too; all he has to do is go to work and use their petrol pump haha! and that happens to be a 15-minute drive (on clear roads) from our house. ah i wish he could of. my dad's mate took the Vanquish, and he said he got so many stares it was unbelievable. from that exhaust note, who could resist!?
Maybe... It really confuses me this thing. Anyway it will have nice rims.
It will be a tough opponent to others. We will see.

From what i see you must be a jaguar fan.. Maybe.

^ yeah i love my Jag's. Jaguar's and Aston Martin's are my favourite cars, generally.

A facelift already on the XK. I guess Ford is refreshing the Jag divison slightly. I like the XKR-R very slepper looking, subtle changes it looks like to me accept for the futuristic gearbox...

^ it wouldn't be Ford's decision to facelift the XK...