Jaguar quietly trotted out its hottest XK to date, the XKR-S. Packing a 420-hp 4.2-liter V8 and sending power to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox equipped with Jaguar's Sequential Shift system, the XKR-S can run to 60 in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 174 mph, making it the fastest Jag since the XJ220 supercar. But it's not all about motivation. The revised suspension features new springs, dampers, a larger rear anti-roll bar and a recalibrated CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension), while an active exhaust, revised aerodynamic aids (including one funky but functional spoiler) and massive, 400mm (front) and 350mm (rear) Alcon R Performance brakes balance out the package. The Jaguar XKR-S will be limited to only 200 cars in both left- and right-hand-drive, but those of us in the States will never get a taste – it's a Euro-only affair.
Here's your chance to own a piece of history. Sorta. This unique car was created for an unnamed Bond movie in the late 1970's but was ultimately rejected before filming. It's based on a modified 1972 Jaguar XKE, outfitted with custom bodywork and a Cobra 289-cubic-inch V8. Part of the...um, unique bodywork includes a trunk lid that can be swapped out for an alternate, apparently crafted so that Bond could escape a chasing vehicle without being noticed. Hard to understand why they didn't use this one. Who knows, maybe it could have replaced the Aston DBS in the upcoming Quantum of Solace. But since it didn't, bidding starts at $13,000.
One of the hottest Jags to roll out of Coventry isn't coming to our shores. The highly-tuned 420-hp Jaguar XKR-S sports coupe features stiffer springs, firmer dampers, thicker anti-roll bars, quickened steering, and lighter forged 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber. Aerodynamic changes, including a new rear spoiler, reduce lift up front by 60 percent, and 17 percent at the rear, while overall drag drops by three percent. The supercharged V8 is unchanged. Limited to a run of just 200 cars, Jaguar North America doesn't feel it can run head-to-head with the likes of tuned Porsches and other sports cars in the States so the automaker is limiting sales to just Germany and Britain. What? You don't think we can handle it?
When Jaguar launched the current-generation XK in all its feline ferocity, it reportedly promised that the car would only be offered with gasoline engines. But that was a couple of years ago, around the same time that Audi began to dominate Le Mans racing with its R10 TDI, when BMW put the 3-liter turbodiesel into the 6 Series, but more importantly, before the current fuel crunch made consumers reexamine the prospect of driving a diesel sportscar.
That's why reports now suggest that Jaguar is preparing a diesel version of the XK. Based on the 2.7-liter V6 turbodiesel used in its sedans, the XK is tipped to receive a more powerful 3-liter version with 250 hp – still short of the BMW 635d's 290, but still capable of returning over 30 mpg with torque to spare. Whether the diesel XK would make it to the American market remains doubtful, however.
The 2009 Jaguar XK-R has been spotted and shot doing the rounds in Europe. With so many other pots on the boil, like the XF-R and the new XJ, the XK-R is going the subtle route when it comes to changes. Up front, new intakes will be fitted under the headlights, while out back LED tail lights will be fitted in place of the standard units. One change we are most excited to hear about is the swap from a telescoping aerial to a shark fin on the deck lid. On the convertible, the raised aerial caused all kinds of wind noise, which, frankly, was unacceptable on a $100K car. Inside you'll find, ta-da, Jaguar Drive. The final version of Jaguar's hottest kitten will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show.
Jaguar will produce a limited run of 200 XKR-S coupes, which will be offered in Europe only. Now, the regular XKR is a delectable conveyance that combines endless sex appeal with eye-widening performance. Put plainly, it is an absolute hoot to drive. The XKR-S takes all that goodness and ramps things up a bit. The 420-horsepower blown V8 is unchanged, and the XKR-S has the same 0-60 time (4.9 seconds) as its standard counterpart. What does change is the electronically governed top speed. Adding the "S" also adds 19 mph to the cat's top end, now 174 mph.
Among the myriad other changes made for the XKR-S are the addition of big Alcon Performance R brakes, a retuned suspension, and a host of visual and aerodynamics upgrades, such as new wheels with retro-logo caps, a new front splitter, side skirts, a new rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser insert. Inside, what was already a very nice cabin becomes opulent, with new interior trim, a higher-end audio system, updated instruments (to accomodate the higher top speed) and other sundry niceties. You can sum the whole thing up in two words: "fast" and "beautiful." We want.
The Jaguar XKR is already one of our favorite sports-coupes, but just in case it needed some extra visual oomph, Jaguar is coming to Geneva with the new 2009 Portfolio edition. Admittedly more style than substance, the updated Portfolio package picks up where the 2008 version left off. That means an array of visual enhancements to make this one sophisticated cat, but also a few substantial upgrades to the standard XKR including bigger wheels and upgraded brakes.
Available for order now in either coupe or convertible form, the 2009 XKR Portfolio gets unique Shadow Grey metallic paint with contrasting milled aluminum side-vents, and special 20-inch "Selena" alloys barely hiding the 400mm front/350mm rear brake discs clamped by bright red six-pot calipers up front and four-pots in the rear. Inside the sumptuous leather seats come in either charcoal with cranberry twin-needle topstitching or ivory with slate stitching, offset by either oak vaneers or engine-turned aluminum with a piano-black lacquered instrument panel, and Alston headliner. The XKR Portfolio also gets the 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system and a host of special Portfolio badging inside and out. Along with the Portfolio edition, the 2009 XK range also gets some new standard equipment, including iPod and USB connections, air quality sensor, front park assist and power folding mirrors.
The Jaguar XK may have been the subject of the aptly-named "Gorgeous" campaign, but the four-door XF is set to take its turn in the limelight. Since it's due to hit dealer showrooms on March 1, the first TV commercials are invading both our airwaves and YouTube, as evidenced by the :30 spot after the jump. Jaguar's marketing hired guns opted for the typical fast cuts of sex on wheels mixed with good-looking people getting frisky over a soundtrack of "Hush" by Deep Purple. Good stuff. Let's hope it helps folks remember Jaguar's not dead.
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As we've reported previously, Jaguar isn't waiting around to see how its future unfolds to move ahead with new product development. We've seen spy shots of the next flagship XJ sedan, and heard rumors of a new sportscar to rival the Porsche 911. Emerging reports now suggest that Jaguar executives have begun coordinating with their bosses-to-be at Tata over several intriguing new models.
Although Tata is not in a position to sign off on the development of new models at this point, it reportedly received the sportscar project with the most enthusiasm. While executives reportedly favor basing the Porsche rival off the XF's steel chassis, Coventry engineers are pushing to modify the XJ's aluminum platform; the engine bay would be able to accommodate both V6 and V8 engines. Jaguar also presented its hosts with plans to lop off two doors and a couple of inches of roofline from the new XF sedan to make a coupe version, although a convertible variant was ruled out. Lastly, and perhaps most dramatically, a plan was presented to lengthen the XK coupe and add two more doors to build its own rival for former corporate cousin Aston Martin's upcoming Rapide. This last development contradicts earlier reports that suggested the next XJ sedan would adopt the four-door-coupe approach, offering instead that the new XJ would include more interior space than the model it replaces.
Proteus, maker of hand-crafted replicas of bygone sports cars, is coming to America. Recently purchased by Enduro Cars, Proteus plans to restart production of its carbon copy Jaguar XK120 C -- the record-breaking Le Mans-conquering roadster -- that you'll be able to purchase for $133.000.
In addition to the XK 120 C, the company is looking at making a Lightweight E-Type and perhaps some early F1 cars. Last year, Proteus showed a C-Type coupe to the public to gauge reaction. No decisions have been made yet on that car, but the 21-year-old company is planning to begin fabricating three more Jags -- the SS100, XKSS, and D-Type – as well as the Aston Martin DB3S and the racing version of the gullwing 300SL, the 300SLR.
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