Inside or out, this latest Jaguar XKR is a super looking car. The lines flow as on Jags of old, but there is a more purposeful, aggressive stance to this undoubtedly slick piece of work.
Dark colors are not my favorites, but the dark blue suits the car well, while the light tan interior is very pleasant, and such a change from the dull and boring black interiors of the German competition.
Nice, too, are the instruments, sitting in a small binnacle forward of the small steering wheel. But the plot is spoiled a little by the small display in the center of the panel, pushing the speedo and rev-counter out toward the rim of the wheel.
The Jaguar XKR is a thoroughly modern cat with keyless ignition – you just keep the 'key' in your pocket, and press the starter button too bring the rorty V-8 to life, rumbling in the background but ready to rock.
Not your usual staid interior, this, as apart from the essentials in front of you, the minor controls are in the center console. Once it is up and running, you use it as a touch screen to change functions, although you have the normal up and down temperature buttons for the air conditioning and so on.
Innovative touch screen works
I was a bit suspicious of the touch screen at first, and it works pretty well. It would be better if it was angled toward the driver, and if the screen had greater contrast. But it works.
For years, Jaguar has offered automatic transmissions only on its sports cars, but at last it has paddle control of the gears of the six-speed box. There is still a lever with the normal functions, including Sport.
As before the latest Jaguar XKR is notionally a 2+2 but the rear seats are too small and awkwardly shaped to be any good, so it would be better if the car was just a bit shorter and a true two-seater.
Out onto the road, and the steering feels quite light, but has a nice feel to it, giving you information about the bumps and swerves straight away.
Immense power, effortless cruising
On the motorway, the car reveals its immense power and effortless cruising speed – with the comfort and silence you expect from a luxury car. When you put your foot down, though, the 420 Cats are unleashed, the muffled roar turning into a crackle, a different noise that is really great.
At the same time, you get pushed back into the seat, and start to enjoy the raw power of the supercharged engine, which with this very responsive auto, punches well above the weight that 420 bhp would suggest. This is partly because the car is light, partly because the the linear boost from the supercharger increases power all the way up the range, and partly because the automatic is so responsive.
Jekyll and Hyde engine
In fact, this is a Jekyll and Hyde engine; us the revs up to about 4,500 rpm, and you are surprised how well you are going. Press hard, and get the engine in the 3,500-6,000 rpm range and the performance is electrifying.
All the time, though, the engine is quiet and civilised unless you want it otherwise, and the XKR is a joy to drive on motorways freeways and the like because it is quiet and relaxed, but covers the ground fast.
Super driving position
Wherever you are, you feel just right – the driving position, which has plenty of adjustment – is probably the best I have ever had. You sit quite low, but can see the nearside fender just above the hood, which helps aim this quite wide beast.
For everyday use, the XKR is superb, although the limited luggage space, particularly in the convertible might be a problem for some. Out on the road the car is a delight, but this is not a hard sports car, with the suspension all locked up to make sure the wheels stay upright.
Supple suspension flattens the road
No, this is a very supple car, which eats up normal bumps and even potholes with the traditional Jaguar aplomb, meanwhile feeding back information to the driver all the time. The grip is also very good, hanging on very well, but with a tendency to understeer most of the time.
On our favorite test routes, which are not very wide roads the Jaguar covered the ground very fast, going precisely where pointed. It is one of those cars where you just turn into a long fast curve and it holds the line right through, with no fidgeting or running wide.
Best paddles in the business
The automatic behaved beautifully, thanks to the large paddles which turn with the wheel, and so are where you want them all the time. But that is not all; they are also large enough for you to be sure you can hit them whenever you want. This paddle control is the equal of anything out there, and it makes driving on twisty roads a lot of fun.
Doesn't like up-and-downers –
All is well so long as you do not expect exceptional control over up-and-down roads. They don't have to be real switchbacks, but just small hillocks with sharp crests and dips, and the XKR gets unsettled, leaping up, and even crashing through on one point.
– But grips like a leech
This is the penalty you pay for the supple ride and automatically adjustable dampers, which just cannot cope with this situation. Fair enough on the XK, but the XKR could do with tightening up a little.
Even so, despite the crashing through and leaping about, which happens only on some unusual roads, the XKR continued to follow the line I had set, a tribute to its good suspension geometry. In fact, if you want to get around twisty roads fast, this is a super car – cornering on rails very fast, thanks to the massive tires on 20-inch wheels and excellent suspension set-up.
Slippery seat
It is a pity, though, that the standard seat, despite being comfortable, does not hold you in as well at it should when you really start throwing the XKR around. As I said, the driving position is great, but the standard seat is too wide and slippery, so when you get the g-force going you slide across against the bolster and don't have quite the control you would like. Cloth upholstery would improve matters, as would the optional inflatable and adjustable side bolsters.
As sensational as it looks
Overall, the Jaguar XKR is as sensational as it looks, a crossover between a luxury car and sporty supercar, ideal for those long-distance trips, driving into the city, or howling round your favorite twisty country roads as fast as you like.
On top of that, you get an amazing array of features built in, starting with the most brilliant headlamps that can alter the direction of their beams as you travel, and illuminate the road beautifully over a wide arc. Then, there is a navigation system, adaptive cruise control and of course stability control among other features. Full details and more photos at
our Jaguar XKR introductory article.
