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Jaguar launches storming new XKR-S

Jaguar sets sights on the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 with the 550bhp XKR-S, the British firm's fastest production car yet

Jaguar XKR-S front

By Richard Yarrow

February 2011

S marks the spot for the fastest and most powerful production model Jaguar has ever built. This is the XKR-S, and it’s designed to steal sales from the Audi R8 and Porsche 911. It promises to sprint from 0-60mph in only 4.2 seconds – that’s four-tenths quicker than any current XKR. The newcomer is also the first big cat to break the 300km/h barrier: it hits a 186mph top speed, which is 12mph more than the XKR Speed Pack.
 
Based around the strong and lightweight advanced aluminium body architecture of every Jaguar two-seater, the XKR-S is designed to combine grand tourer comfort with incredible performance. Power comes from the same supercharged 5.0-litre V8 as in the regular XKR, but it’s uprated from 510bhp to 550bhp.

Marking the new car out visually is a new nose, which incorporates twin air scoops above the grille, as well as a deeper spoiler. And at the back, the wing stands proud of the boot, while the quad exhaust pipes sit between a new diffuser. Under the skin, tweaks to the suspension promise to boost driver appeal.

The XKR’s Adaptive Dynamics system has also been reprogrammed to provide a more aggressive experience, while there’s an active sports exhaust which claims to deliver an authentic, race car-inspired soundtrack. Final specification details and pricing will be announced when the car takes to the stage at the Geneva Motor Show next week. However, with a standard XKR already costing just under £80,000, buyers can expect to pay in excess of £90,000.

But there’s no rush to get your name in the order book, as insiders have confirmed to Auto Express that the XKR-S isn’t a limited edition. “It’s a full model, a permanent fixture in the XK range, and we anticipate that it will sell around 100 units a year,” explained our source.

While the new model is never going to win any prizes for its green credentials, Jaguar top brass are keen to stress that it’s as eco-friendly as possible. They believe the XKR-S is the only car in its class to emit less than 300g/km of CO2.

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17 Comments

Guess its a farewell send off

Looks like a final attempt to boost sales and give the XK the final farewell present before they come out with a all new revamped XK. looks quite nice in that blue. abit iffy on that spoiler, looks like its off a Nissan GTR but guess somehow they needed to control the rear end with all that power and needed something worthwhile rather than a big lip. wonder what it would look like if they increased the wheel arches and had wider tyres. Any news of Rocketsport coming out with their road going version of XKR ??

By corsamani on 23 February, 2011, 7:43am

absolute beaut!!!

Though it does look strangly familiar to a Vauxhall Monaro from the back....

By tommy060289 on 23 February, 2011, 8:37am

The Next Question Is...

Will it be able to beat the R8 and similarly priced 911? on the track and hopefully on the road? Looking better than either of those other cars is a great start.

By LANMAN on 23 February, 2011, 10:54am

The best big cat

I know Jaguar have done an XKR-S before, but this is a PROPER XKR-S. This has to be the best Jaguar ever produced. Easy tiger!

By JPW2010 on 23 February, 2011, 11:22am

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...

I want one and I want none now!

I am writing this before my six numbers are drawn in tonight's lottery - I'll wait until tomorrow to order one, just in case I only win a tenner...

By ajjm65 on 23 February, 2011, 2:32pm

8.00am update - Didn't win the lottery, not even a measly ten quid which would have barely dampened the fuel tank. Couldn't afford to run one anyway - not now that Gaddafi's madness has pushed oil prices through the roof...

By ajjm65 on 24 February, 2011, 8:13am

Fastest?

"The newcomer is also the first big cat to break the 300km/h barrier"...what about the XJ220?

By fxxxit on 24 February, 2011, 9:22am

XKR-S

Are we all living in cloud cuckoo land? Where can you use this performance? I keep seeing more powerful, faster cars that are just expensive toys at the end of the day. I saw a BMW M5 in the West of Ireland last week - he must see an osteopath on a very regular basis or he drives it very carefully. More potholes and rough surfaces than you can shake a shelaghlee at. Great car, but we need to be more realistic of the times. Spoil-sport, not me - love F1 and moreso MotoGP.

By Mike_the_Trike on 24 February, 2011, 11:08am

XKR-S

Are we all living in cloud cuckoo land? Where can you use this performance? I keep seeing more powerful, faster cars that are just expensive toys at the end of the day. I saw a BMW M5 in the West of Ireland last week - he must see an osteopath on a very regular basis or he drives it very carefully. More potholes and rough surfaces than you can shake a shelaghlee at. Great car, but we need to be more realistic of the times. Spoil-sport, not me - love F1 and moreso MotoGP.

By Mike_the_Trike on 24 February, 2011, 11:12am

@Mike_the_Trike. Track day you numpty! :)

By nickeroo on 24 February, 2011, 11:59pm

Suggestions

Another lovely Jag, they are doing a good job nowadays, but just a thought, having read the comments about car styling over the years in this magazine, and others, and there are some very good ideas pop up from time to time, why don't the car makers advertise a company suggestion box? Then before they revamp a car they can take note of some of the good ideas, and produce what the public want.
Ha’ another thought!!! had they done so we might not have had the BMC Morris Marina and the Morris Ital, then life would have been so dull J

By Bobbybev on 25 February, 2011, 10:28am

Fastest Jaguar at 187mph. Fastest Jaguar XK yes but the XJ220 of the early 90's could do 212mph.

By robertsskippyj on 1 March, 2011, 3:55pm

Fastest Jaguar at 187mph. Fastest Jaguar XK yes but the XJ220 of the early 90's could do 212mph.

By robertsskippyj on 1 March, 2011, 3:56pm

Why would anyone buy this when they can get an Aston Martin?

£80,000 - £90,000?

By CarlyWarly on 1 March, 2011, 4:55pm

@CarlyWarly

Because it'll be just as fast, more comfortable to ride in, cheaper to run and probably cheaper to insure. Oh, and it looks better. Need I go on?

By sgtgrash on 2 March, 2011, 8:21am

Hot Car

I love it. Looks HOT! Yes...I want one. Only thing though....I feel it should have been given a nicer/ race inspired steering wheel. 3-spoke, simple and suede....Love the colour!

By badboyrocco on 2 March, 2011, 1:23pm

A message from cloud cuckoo land...

Some people just don't get it do they Mike?

Asking "where can you use that kind of performance?" is totally missing the point. People don't drive cars - they wear them!

I would definitely buy one of these XKRS's - not because it goes 186 mph, or does 0-100km in 4.2 seconds. But because, in this world of mass produced pieces of metal, most of which looked like they slipped out of a jelly mould - here is a car that is stunningly beautiful on the inside and out. In this garb it is also very exclusive. Even the colour is one that you rarely see on any other vehicle. The attention to detail, like the beautiful leather upholstery, is meticulous. It is, in no better words, a dream. And we all aspire towards something (I hope!).

By dashingblade on 21 April, 2011, 7:26am

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Pictures

XKR-S front
XKR-S rear close
XKR-S rear close
XKR-S interior 2
Jaguar XKR-S interior
Jaguar XKR-S

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