First Drive: Jaguar XKR-S
WHEN most people talk about the Jaguar brand, it’s the refinement and luxury attributes that receive the most praise.
Over the years the company has also made a good living from its sports cars – how could you possibly forget the iconic E-Type?
More recently Jaguar has combine the best of both worlds – refinement and performance – with considerable success. Its range of ‘R’ high power models have hit the spot with buyers seeking supercar-rivaling abilities and the firm’s trademark luxury for when chasing Porsche 911s isn’t part of the daily routine.
The 911 reference isn’t a random one. For some people cars like this have more of an ‘edge’ than, say, Jaguar’s XKR. Firmer riding and with a snappier throttle response, cars like the 911 are more likely to be seen at track days and, generally, driven harder by their owners.
Jaguar has decided that it wants some of this action, and has developed a harder, faster, more powerful XKR. In XKR-S trim, Jaguar’s normally sleek and demure coupe is visibly more purposeful-looking thanks to a number of aerodynamic aids. It also sits a bit lower, while the bonnet vents and large wheels add the appropriate finishing touches.
Inside, the car’s cabin ambience has also been ramped up, with the racing-style front seats a world away from Jaguar’s standard issue cosseting chairs. It’s clear from the changes that Jaguar is keen for this car to have a higher profile, be it to attract younger buyers or simply better promote the car’s abilities.
And there’s no better way of doing that than making it a loud car. Once you hit the starter button it’s clear that Jaguar’s ‘softly-softly’ approach to performance motoring has been set aside for the XKR-S. After all, you can’t expect to buy a beefy-looking car like this and drive around unnoticed.
You won’t be hanging about at the traffic lights, either. The regular XKR is no slouch, but with an extra 40 horsepower, the XKR-S has 550 horsepower on tap – a figure that exceeds close rivals from Porsche and Aston Martin. As a result, the zero to 62mph time takes a rapid 4.4 seconds.
For all the car’s straight-line speed – and there’s plenty of it – it’s the car’s exhaust note that is biggest clue as to its potential. The uncompromising blare from the quad pipes on start up and general urgency in a muffled Nascar racer way is hard to ignore.
Factor in a range of carefully selected suspension upgrades to boost driver feedback and the car’s agility on the open road, plus tweaks to the car’s transmission and exhaust system and you can guess what sort of experience this heavily breathed on XK delivers.
Behind the wheel the difference between XKR and XKR-S is like night and day. The old ‘velvet punch’ analogy is a perfect fit for the former, but references to sledgehammers would not be out of place when talking about the latter.
The way the XKR-S can propel you up the road is nothing short of astounding. Jaguar’s 5.0-litre V8 was always good enough and now its true potential and character has been revealed. It’s fair to say that it’s a bit of an animal.
One that is easily tamed, though, which is good news for when you don’t want to set any unofficial land speed records. On twisty road sections the engine and suspension combination works well and there’s a noticeable improvement in the feedback department, all of which boosts driver confidence and allows you to lean that bit harder on the car through the bends.
The lower ride height has removed the XKR’s aloof character, although Jaguar’s suspension boffins have somehow managed to maintain some semblance of a compliant ride – a necessity give the state of many UK roads.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the XKR-S is all engine and nothing else. Far from it, but the changes to the V8 motor have done wonders for the XKR’s character and highlighted its considerable depth of ability. As a complete package – styling, aero mods, suspension tweaks – the XKR-S is a significant step up in terms of attitude and performance from the donor XKR.
To call it Jaguar’s GT3 is a mistake, though. Whereas Porsche actively encourages buyers of its loud and proud monster 911 to seek out track days and generally drive it hard 24-7, the XKR-S boasts larger reserves of refinement for everyday driving duties.
And this is where the XKR-S will score over the 911 for many buyers, as this is a car that stays true to Jaguar’s core values yet at the same time delivers a mind-altering experience when you’re in the mood and the conditions are right.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model: Jaguar XKR-S, from £97,000 on the road.
Engine: 5.0-litre petrol unit developing 550bhp.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission as standard, driving the rear wheels.
Performance: Maximum speed 186mph, 0-62mph 4.4 seconds.
Economy: 23.0mpg.
CO2 Rating: 292g/km.
Written By : Iain Dooley
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