Jaguar XKR-S convertible due soon

Things are hotting up at Jaguar. The big cat has only just unveiled the hardcore R-S badge that will adorn the £97,000 XKR-S coupé, but Auto Express has learned it will extend to other models, too. 

Hot on the heels of the 542bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8-engined coupé – the fastest Jaguar since the XJ220 supercar – the firm is plotting fastest-ever versions of the XKR convertible and XFR saloon, as well.

An insider revealed that the soft-top XK will get an R-S badge. He also pointed out that because “the car was designed as a convertible”, the aluminium structure means it won’t need extra bracing to cope with the increase in power. 

The R-S convertible, which is set to cost more than £100,000, is expected to wear the same wide wheelarches, front and rear carbon spoilers and extra front air scoops as the coupé, and share 

its limited top speed of 186mph.

Asked whether the tuned 5.0-litre V8 will go into the XF, the same insider – who worked on the supercharged unit – told us: “You can be fairly confident it will.” The resulting XFR-S will eclipse the newly facelifted R, which has 503bhp on tap, to create a rocketship boasting a 0-60mph time of close to four seconds. It could also have its speed limiter removed to offer maximum pace of more than 180mph. 

That will hike the cost from the R’s current £65,000, taking it closer to the Mercedes E-Class AMG’s £73,500 price tag. But the Jag will be quicker, and should also have enough performance 

to rival BMW’s forthcoming M5.

Both cars are expected to get the same active exhaust as the XKR-S. This bypasses the rear silencer under hard acceleration to give an aggressive howl. It also helps liberate extra power over the standard supercharged V8’s 503bhp, with additional grunt coming from an engine remap. Variable-rate dampers aim to ensure the models remain the most comfortable in their class.

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