Here’s the Jaguar XKR, a really powerful Jaguar supercar that cracks the 5.0 second 0-60 mph time, and has handling and looks to match.
Power is up to 420 bhp – 20 bhp up on the old model – and with the lightweight aluminum body of the new XK, the XKR turns into a real performer, hitting 60 mph in a full second less than the less powerful model.
It looks different, too, especially from the front. There are the now fashionable mesh grilles on all the front air intakes, and the lower grille has been enlarged. These changes all make the car look more sporty and aggressive. At the sides, the air outlets are now aluminum instead of body color, and there are a pair of louvres in the hood. Actually, these are more to show the word ‘Supercharged’, and don’t look very sporty.
There are four exhaust pipes, too. Minor changes, as you expect from a big manufacturer, but different nevertheless. Although the headlamps look fine from the front, they don’t do much for the car in other views.
420 bhp to give stunning acceleration
The big news is that the 4.2-liter V-8 from the old XKR has been upgraded to 420 bhp at 6,250 rpm, with 412 lb ft (560 Nm) at 4,000 rpm. This means you get 120 bhp more than in the XK, and 20 bhp more than in the old XKR, with plenty of power at any speed.
Coupled with Jaguar’s improved six-speed automatic gearbox, and the lightweight of the new aluminum body, this engine will give you terrific performance. You can take this truly powerful engine up to 7,000 rpm when you hit a really open road.
Like the normal engine, the XKR unit has four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing to give a good spread of power at all speeds – and smooth running at low speeds that was unheard of before engines had these amazing electronic controls.
The supercharged engine weighs a bit more than the normal unit, and the modifications to take the extra power push the weight up by about 150 lb (70 kg) which is not bad. So the car still ends up a pretty light supercar.
Stiffer suspension
The distinctive feature of the XK suspension is its combination of suppleness and comfort with good handling. For the XKR, Jaguar has stiffened the front springs by 38% and the rear ones by 24% - that’s a lot. The result is that the car corners much flatter than the XK and has an altogether stiffer feel. An extra stiffening member has been added to the rear end to take the higher spring loads. The steering has been altered to give quicker response as well.
Jaguar’s automatically adjustable suspension, which has two stages, has also been stiffened up, and works in conjunction with a modified version of the stability control to give enjoyable, responsive handling.
Uprated brakes
The brakes, too, are uprated, with 14 inch (355 mm) diameter discs, an inch larger than on the XK. Of course, you get an advanced ABS with all the bells and whistles you expect on this type of car, including emergency brake assist.
Overall, the new Jaguar XKR looks a great new supercar, with really quick acceleration, and no doubt the handling and ride will be as good as we expect from Jaguar. And you get a lot of luxurious equipment built in, all at a great price for a car that can hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, even if it is limited by company policy to 155 mph (250 km/h). Great value, too.
