It's come to this for the Jaguar XK->ke1153. Already scheduled to be discontinued following the 2015 model year, the XK is making one last stand at a major auto show with the debut of the XK Final Fifty Edition at the New York Auto Show->ke226. As you can see from its name, this special edition XK is limited to just 50 units, each coming with a variety of upgrades added in to celebrate the departure of Jag's->ke39 entry-level model.

Truth be told, the changes are necessarily revolutionary, but they do give this model a little extra something to entice buyers. Included are a smattering of aero components on the exterior, some simple upgrades to the interior and some extra packages that are typically optional on the XKR-S to help boost performance, giving the XK a fitting send off.

What's more, with the Final Fifty Edition being based on the XKR model, buyers get a 5.0-liter V-8 that nets 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of twist. So even if the whole cosmetic and cornering enhancements are underwhelming, the last 50 XKs can still take comfort knowing that its last incarnation has a monster breathing under that XKR-S GT hood.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Jaguar XK Final Fifty Edition.

Exterior

For what it's worth, I think Jaguar could've done a better job in making the XK Final Fifty model a little more memorable. It's not that Jag did a poor job, but a little more than parts-bin diving would have been nice. Basically, a little exclusivity would have been great.

But the British maker didn't do that; instead, it gave the final line of XK models an Ultimate Black exterior and black soft top on the convertible models and a few aerodynamic components. The aero upgrades are courtesy of the already-available Dynamic Performance Pack -- a $7,500 value -- and they include special side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a new rear wing, but the exterior update just is not as comprehensive as we expected. This package also adds in a set of 20-inch Vortex-style forged alloy wheels.

The only semi-exclusive update on the outside is the XKR-S GT hood, which does add a little extra aggression to the the car, plus the louvers on the hood pay homage to the classic styling of the E-Class of old.

While the XK looks sexy in that Ultimate Black, it is rather disappointing to see almost nothing exclusive in this final run of XK models.

Stock XK Vs. XK Final Fifty Edition

2015 Jaguar XK Final Fifty - Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The disappointment carries into the interior of the XK Final Fifty Edition, as save for a few small items, this looks like any other XKR with the Dynamic Performance Pack added in. The items that the Pack adds in are performance seats in Diamond Sew stitch pattern and a Jet suedecloth steering wheel -- again, nothing exclusive here. The three exclusive items inside the cabin are the "Final Fifty" inscribed doorsill treadplate, the "Final Fifty" badge on the center console and the Diamond Sew Stitch on Ivory leather seats.

Also included are the standard features found on any XKR, including dual zone automatic climate control system, auto dimming electro-chromatic power-folding exterior mirrors, front and rear Park Assist, backup camera, heated front seats with 16-way power adjustment, seven-inch touch-screen, Portable Audio Interface, USB ports and a 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins® audio system

2015 Jaguar XK Final Fifty - Exterior Dimensions

Drivetrain & Suspension

The Jaguar XK Final Fifty Edition will retain the 5.0-liter V-8 engine that's currently being used in the XKR. That's probably the best thing about this model. With little in the way of exciting exterior and interior refinements, customers can at least take comfort knowing that this cat can pounce to the tune of 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. That's good enough to hit 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds to go with an increased top speed of 174 mph, thanks to the Dynamic Performance Pack.

The XK Final Fifty's suspension gets a but of the XKR-S treatment, including a 10 mm (0.39-inch) lower ride height and fully machined front suspension components with exclusive spring and damper settings for better handling. Also included is an upgraded Adaptive Dynamics suspension system

At least the suspension got a few somewhat exclusive additions, and the topspeed gets a mild boost over the base XKR.

2015 Jaguar XK Final Fifty - Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

The Jaguar XK Final Fifty Edition is set to go on sale this fall, exclusively in the United States. Minus the exclusive items, I can build almost the identical car for about $114,000, so with the extra goodies that are exclusive and the rarity of this package, expect this model to check in at about $125,000.

Competition

BMW 6 Series

Given how much Jaguar has invested in putting itself back on the map, it has really positioned itself to compete with a car like the BMW 6 Series. The variety being offered by the XK line also plays in to how its rivals are presenting their own models.

Take for example the XKR, which is the car that the XK Final Fifty Edition is based oin. That one slots just above the 650i but still a ways away from the M6. The former, after all, is capable of developing 445 horsepower and a peak torque of 480 pound-feet whereas the latter cleanly hits 560 horsepower without even breaking a sweat.

The 650i's starting price of $86,700 should also make it cheaper than the 650i, even more so with all the additional upgrades given to the Final Fifty Edition.

Aston Martin Vantage

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a direct competitor to the Jaguar XKR, but as far as aesthetics are concerned, the Vantage laps the XK. No competition whatsoever in our eyes.

The V8 Vantage is powered by a 4.7-liter, V-8 engine that delivers a total of 420 horsepower, quite a ways down from what the XKR is capable of. But if you want something that the Jaguar can compete against, the V12 Vantage can do just that, thanks to its 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 510 horsepower, and 420 pound-feet of torque.

Even with the seemingly identical numbers, the Aston is still quicker to 60 mph at just 4.2 seconds to go with a top speed of 190 mph, 16 mph more than what the XKR is capable of.

Conclusion

We love farewell models, and many are so great that they are gobbled up in a heartbeat. But given the lack of interest for the XK since the F-Type's debut and the fact that this special edition is already basically available through careful option-box ticking, this is likely to be a slow seller. This is even truer if Jag cranks the price up to the anticipated $125k mark.

Sure, you do get the XKR-S GT hood, an interior color scheme that is otherwise not available on the XKR with the Dynamic Performance Pack, a re-tuned suspension and some badges, but is that really a "special" model worthy of any price hike? I think not. Now, if Jaguar comes in with a great price -- say around $110k -- then this is a great buy.