2012 Jaguar XK Convertible Spied

The 2012 Jaguar XK Convertible - suitably camouflaged

Just last week we ran a story about a camouflaged Jaguar XJ running around on trade plates. We’d picked the photo up from Autoblog, who reckoned the photo was a facelift for the XK as a final titivate next year. We thought the trade plates were to protect the long-expected Jaguar XK Diesel from a DVLA registration check divulging it was burning oil. Looks like we might both have been right.

WCF has published the photo you see above of a camouflaged XJ Convertible running round the Midlands, but this time it’s running regular number plates so obviously has nothing to hide on the engine front. Which leads us to conclude that the XK is getting a facelift, some tweaks to the oily bits and a new engine option – the Jaguar XK 3.0 Diesel.

There’s obviously a more family-themed nose coming and some tweaks to the intakes up front. Round the back there appears to be an active spoiler in the making with new bumper and diffuser. Nothing of a revolution going on, just a refresh to keep the XK looking viable until the all-new XK arrives in three years time.

We would also expect Jaguar to have a bit of a play with the inside. It’s starting to feel a bit old now – even if it is still a nice place to be – so a gentle tip and tuck will help.

On the engine front – in addition to the 3.0 litre Diesel with at least 271bhp – the existing 5.0 litre V8 engine (with and without supercharger) will doubtless get the facelift favourite – a bit more power, a bit better economy and a few less CO2s creeping out the back.

But there is a fighting chance we could also see an XKR-R; a more powerful, harder-edged XKR with something around 550bhp. Think of it as the logical step on from the Jaguar XKR with Speed Pack and Black Pack we tested recently.

But all this is probably a year away.

By Cars UK