FirstDrive: Jaguar XKR
If ever there was a car company in need of a shot of testosterone, it's Jaguar. Barely a week goes by without the British car company being linked with cutbacks or closures. There are even fears that this once great company will fall into Ford's corporate mire, done to death by a combination of mis-management and union intransigence.
If there's a beacon of hope among the malaise, it's the XK. The standard coupé and convertible were launched at the beginning of the year to a warm reception and bulging order books, and now there's a new sporting flagship, the XKR.
This new model was developed alongside the XK and promises to be a very different machine. Jag's chassis guru, Mike Cross, reckons R is a standard XK "plus thirty per cent." Designed by Ian Callum, the canny Scot responsible for the Aston range, the XKR makes no secret of its intent. A mesh grille, front foglights, quad tailpipes and an aluminum "power vent" behind the front wheels all help identify Jaguar's new flagship.
Inside, the makeover is more subtle. The new aluminum weave centre console trim looks much better than it sounds, and there are "R" badges on all the major touch points and controls. The sports seats are also new, although they're still shaped for a man with middle-aged spread. It all works well, but some of the plastics feel low rent and the rear seats are all-but useless. The 4196cc, supercharged V8 from the old XKR has been updated with the introduction of twin air inlets and Variable Inlet Camshaft Timing (VICT). Power is up to 420hp with 560Nm of torque.
Couple this with a reduction in curb weight of 70kg (100kg for the convertible) and it's not difficult to understand why this car is being described as "the fastest ever production Jaguar". Zero to 100km/h takes 4.9sec and top speed is limited to 250km/h.
The bar bore statistics stack up, but it's the effortless surge of torque - in any gear at any speed - that really impresses. And it sounds great.
The supercharger whine has been detuned compared with the old car and it's now mixed with a more vociferous V8 rumble.
According to Cross, the XKR has been tuned to be more engaging than a Merc SL, but less overtly sporting than a 911. To achieve the requisite mix, Jag has uprated the XK's spring rates by 38 per cent at the front and 24 per cent at the rear.
Nineteen inch alloys are standard but our car rode on the 20" rims that are likely to be chosen by most customers.
The ride is firm but nicely controlled and the high speed body control is excellent. Its agility will be a revelation to owners of the old XKR, even if it's still not as nimble as a 911. High-speed, sweeping curves remain its forte, but it's no longer disgraced when the road starts to get tight and twisty.
The XKR is genuine Grand Tourer, capable of covering huge distances at high speed and with a minimum of fuss. It looks terrific, goes hard and handles well. If Jaguar is to survive and prosper, then it needs more cars like this excellent XKR.
Fact File
Engine: 4196cc V8 supercharged, 420bhp, 560Nm torque
Max Speed: 250km/h (limited)
0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds
Transmission: Six-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Price: €137,300 - Coupé
€149,585 - Convertible
Economy: 12.1 l/100km
Available: December