Is Jaguar trying to bribe us? Why else would they drop off the keys to their fastest droptop for some end-of-summer fun? Are they trying to sway us with supercharged V8 muscle? They must think our opinion is for sale (it is.)
But Jaguar never needed to pay us off. We’ve always liked Jaguar for the stylish alternatives they offer. Oh wait, I get it…This XKR convertible is not a bribe; it’s a reward…
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Jaguar use Detroit to show off its big, new engines. The 2009 Detroit Auto Show will premiere Jaguar’s two high-performance flagships: the XFR and a revamped XKR. Both models will be powered by a supercharged V8 engine that will deliver 510-hp and 500-lb-ft of torque. This is 90 hp bump from the previous supercharged engine largely due to an increase in displacement from 4.2 liters to 5.0.
Both models will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in the mid-four-second range. The new Jaguar models can easily compete with the AMG competitors from Mercedes, mainly because both models weigh considerably less. Sales of the blown XK and XF should begin in March 2009.
Jaguar is also developing projects further down the road. The company is currently working on the new XJ sedan (set to be launched in 2011), codenamed X351. The new XJ will take its cues from the XF sedan but will be lower, wider, and sleeker. It will also get new direct-injection drivetrain and may also get a diesel version for the U.S. market.
There is a certain expectation from the American market when it comes to special edition cars: WE WANT SPEED – especially when there is an “S” added to the name. Which is why Jaguar may be doing the smart thing by not bringing the XKR-S over here. It may be the sharpest XK around the corners, but the XKR-S shares its 175 mph top speed with its lesser siblings. It’s not to say that true auto enthusiasts in North America don’t appreciate the car; it’s just the people with the money to pay extra for the XKR-S won’t understand why it’s special.
Upgrades include stiffer springs and dampers front and rear, 8 percent quickened steering rack, thicker rear anti-roll bar, lighter 20-inch forged alloy wheels and wider rear tires. "We developed an XK with the chassis we fancied as our everyday driver," says Mike Cross, Jaguar’s handling guru. "A bit more focused than our typical customer would usually want but still comfortable and safe in all road conditions, including the wet." Very British indeed.
But its likely Jaguar will not be holding the best XK at home very long. The XKR-S is rumored to be a preview of the chassis that will be a part of XKR’s facelift next year. This should come to the U.S. and include a new 5.0-liter V-8 making 500 horsepower (80 more than the current car.)
Jaguar unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show the XKR-S - a lightweight sports coupe that takes the Jaguar sports car experience to a new level. As the fastest production XK to date, it delivers a combination of high speed performance, dynamic excellence and crafted luxury that is unique to Jaguar.
The XKR-S is capable of 0-60mph (0-100kph) in 4.9 (5.2) seconds and has a maximum speed, electronically limited, of 174mph (280kph) – making it the fastest Jaguar since the XJ220 supercar.
Exterior styling features revised front air-splitter and side sill-extensions, revised rear spoiler and rear bumper with unique diffuser panel and unique 20" lightweight Vortex alloy wheels. The XKR-S is painted in Ultimate Black metallic paint color with contrasting finish to the grille, sills, side power vents and rear diffuser.
More details after the jump.
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Jaguar will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the 2009 XKR Portfolio Special Edition, a model that follow the e success of the first XKR Portfolio model launched in 2007. The 2009 XKR Portfolio will go on sale in selected markets from June 2008.
It is powered by a supercharged 4.2 liter V8 engine that delivers 420 hp. The engine is mated by a six-speed Jaguar Sequential Shift Transmission with paddleshift gear change for driver-focused dynamic performance. Every XKR benefits from its advanced aluminum construction, which ensures that it’s striking looks are matched by a dynamic, lightweight chassis.
XKR Portfolio’s Alcon R Performance braking system is the result of close collaboration between leading brake manufacturer Alcon and Jaguar’s engineers who together carried out extensive testing at Jaguar’s specialist engineering center, based at the Nurburgring in Germany. Boasting the largest brake discs ever fitted to a production Jaguar – with 400mm front brake discs and powerful six-piston callipers, while at the rear four-piston callipers operate on 350mm discs – the XKR Portfolio’s brakes produce fade-free performance time and time again whilst maintaining Jaguar’s renowned blend of refinement and stopping power.
Press release after the jump.
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Arden rebuilds this eight-cylinder engine from scratch and sharpens the claws of this big cat by increasing its displacement.
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Autogespot caught the XKR-R testing in Nurburgring. The XKR-R is a more powerful version of the range-topping two-door, which will challenge premier league performance cars such as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911 Turbo.
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For the 2008 model year, Jaguar strengthened the XK and the XKR with a range of subtle visual enhancements that deliver customers an unrivalled blend of performance and luxury. With XK sales up almost 20% year-to-date versus 2006, the revisions will build on this strong sales performance when the car goes on sale from July.
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After being voted "Best Dream Machine" back in February, the Jaguar XKR was voted number one in Kelley Blue Book’s list of cars best-suited for road trips.
Compared and tested next to 10 other vehicles, the new XKR was voted before models like
BMW 3-Series Convertible and the
Chevrolet Suburban.
"In choosing our list, we wanted to include a vehicle for every journey – from weekend jaunts of one or two people, to week-long escapades that involve one or two entire families and maybe a dog (..
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