If you’re a luxury carmaker trying to make it through a global financial crisis there are essentially two things you can do to try to boost sales – reduce the cost of the cars, or load them up with extra features and gadgets in the hope that punters will appreciate the extra value. Jaguar’s Australian division has taken a twist on the latter by introducing a limited edition of its XK coupe called the XK-S and loading it up with A$25,000 worth of gear.

Retaining the silky smooth 4.2L V8 engine of the standard model, the XK-S gets 20-inch Senta alloy wheels, luxury sports interior (including soft grain leather and 16 x 16 way seats), a sporty brushed aluminum gear knob and bright finish pedals. There are also new body enhancements: new front and rear valence panels, chrome-finished side vents and bright finish upper and lower front mesh grilles, special tailpipe finishers and appliques on both sides of the car.

Only 9 XK-S models will be available for Australia, although there’s no indication whether this limited edition will be released in other markets around the world.

Buyers should note, however, that this model is not the newly facelifted 2010 XK, which comes with a significantly more powerful 5.0L V8 putting out 385hp as opposed to the 298hp put out by the current 4.2L V8.

The XK-S is available now for a list price of A$209,400.

2009 Jaguar XK-S