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Jaguar XKR-S Cabrio spied

Soft-top version of flagship XK spotted testing at the Nurburgring

jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet

August 2011

The storming new Jaguar XKR-S will be available as a convertible, and here are the pictures that prove it. Our team of spies caught this Volvano Red prototype testing at the Nurburgring in Germany, and despite a blacked-out front bumper, there's no question about which model we're looking at.

Ever since the XKR-S Coupe was revealed at the Geneva show back in March, rumours have been circulating about the convertible variant, but it's not until now that we can confirm it's bound for production.

With its downturned front grille, chunkier bodywork and vents on the leading edge of the bonnet, the convertible's front end is identical to the Coupe's. At the rear a fixed wing and four exhausts either side of the diffuser give away its identity.

But this car is all about its engine - and the drop-top is expected to feature the same 542bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8, revised suspension geometry, active differential and adaptive damping as the Coupe to give it sharper handling than the standard XKR. Expect 0-62mph to be dispatched in under 4.5 seconds and the top speed to approach 185mph.

With the Coupe priced at £97,000, the convertible is expected to be priced close to £105,000 when it goes on sale early next year - making this the first Jaguar since the XJ220 to cost in excess of £100,000.

And the R-S badge could soon be used again on the XF saloon. An inside source revealed that the performance upgrades could be applied to produce a tyre-smoking XFR-S based on the facelifted XFR - giving Jaguar a genuine 542bhp rival to the new 555bhp BMW M5.

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5 Comments

Where is Sir William Lyons when you need him?

How ugly is that. If this car is "all about engine" then that is really sad. Top sports-style cars should be all about emotion and heart. This is not the car to make you want to sit in the garage just looking at it. Must be geting old.

By TrevorChenery on 18 August, 2011, 7:17am

F-Ugly

I think the front end is all wrong, it's as if they've thought, lets add a bit here and a louvre here, a vent there. I understand they want this car to be a competitor to the Aston Vantage S but they've tried what was a truly beautiful car. I would've (had I of had the bank balance) chose the XK over any other sports coupe but they've ruined it!!

By jduffy1988 on 18 August, 2011, 8:50pm

OY Mates , Just a simple looks tells ye that the nose & prob the bonnet dinna belong to the end result as well as the rear bumper attachment . Perhaps the colouring of them (former & latter ) can give ye a clue ???

By blinkster on 19 August, 2011, 4:22am

Mmm

I'm a purest when it comes to these matters. I prefer 'race' versions to remain hard-tops. This car is in the same vain as the Lambo Performante - i.e was it really necessary? Only for the filthy rich (or those without refinment) - lol.

By badboyrocco on 20 August, 2011, 10:43am

WHOA!!!!!

There is overkill and confusion aplenty at Jaguar. What is this 'S' when the 'R' was the GO-FAST[ER version of the XK??? It begs the question 'what comes after S??' YES......I wholeheartedly concur, the beauty of the XK ended with the R, and this car most definitely misses out. The entire mass/mess of black something, right across the front of the car, looks crap, and exactly as though its stuck on, as an afterthought. Having 4 pipes so close now makes the bum look pinched, and unbalanced. It visually counters what is no doubt very good grip. It should damn well be, there are so many aids fitted to the car now, perhaps excessively. Excessive to cope with the power, excessive to make it corner, excessive to make it do 185mph, excessive bragging rights.....nah probably not by the owners, but the company, oh yes. The bigger/better/faster mentality pollutiing car design today. Come on Jaguar, sort out your thinking. There was a day, when universally, E WAS the single go-fast letter for Jaguar. They didnt need an ER or an ER-S !!

By barina47 on 25 November, 2011, 5:22am

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jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet
jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet
jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet
jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet
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