Jaguar is preparing to celebrate its upgraded engine in the XK in true English fashion: very mildly. The Xk is receiving more of a updating than a facelift for the 2009 model year. The biggest visual changes to the outside of the car are two new vertical slats just below the headlights and XF-inspired LED rear lights. Inside the car, the J-Gate shifter has finished its slow death, and is replaced with the rising knob from the XF.

What's really exciting about the car is the engine. The V8 engine the Jaguar uses across its entire family line has been enlarged from 4.2 liters to 5.0. This means that the naturally aspired cars now match the 2008 XKR's 400 hp, and the 2009 supercharged XKR will get upgraded to 500 hp. Internationally Jaguar will also offer a 271 hp 3.0-liter diesel in the XK, but don't bother looking for it in U.S. dealerships.

At the Detroit Auto Show, next to the XF-R, Jaguar will also present the new XKR.

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