By Patrick James on 2011-12-04 - The author has been a motoring writer for more than 16 years. Formerly motoring editor at the Coventry Telegraph, he now produces motoring copy, on new car launches and road tests on a freelance basis.
Jaguar XKR
Convertible 5.0
Supercharged
BACK in 2005 the Jaguar XK was a big gamble for the then Ford-owned company when the prototype was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show - but sometimes you have roll the dice.
The XK set a new standard and the all-new XF and revamped XJ followed.
Now the grand tourer has had a bit of a makeover.
Exterior changes include the leaping Jaguar badge featuring for the first time on an XK, new sleeker headlight units that feature LED running lights and a larger oval mesh grille framed in chrome.
Mounted either side of the grille are a pair of small air scoops feeding air to the brakes.
Horizontal vents on each wing complete with a chrome blade bearing the Jaguar name replace the vertical items, while new taillights using LED technology sit either side of a thinner chrome strip.
The changes, together with the huge 20-inch alloy wheels give the car its powerful look.
The interior has been given a facelift with new trim finishes and, for the first time, the option of sculpted leather sports seats.
It will still cost an arm and a leg but in the its own segment of the market it offers excellent value for money.
In the case of the rip-snorting five-litre supercharged convertible, the 84-odd grand price tag would seem money well spent and the performance is something else.
We British love our convertibles and if you can bear the cold and the rain, the rag top folds away in less than 20 seconds and for the hardy even late autumn can be an open air experience, if you wrap up warm and turn on the electrically heated leather seats.
The very look of the car has heads turning. Low slung with signature cats eye headlamps, it has the powreful profile of a crouching cat, together with hard-to-miss wide rear end.
The interior features now familiar kit, from the central rotary gear control that rises when the ignition is switched on, the pulsing red starter button, the blue ambient lighting throughout to the silver rotary control, the Jag oozes quality.
The plush leather upholstery with suede lining and top quality soft touch trim finish complement the deep carpets. A two-plus-two, the rear seats are small - OK for children but adults would struggle.
At this price you expect those levels of luxury refinement and they are available even in the cheaper versions of the XK, but the essence of the XKR is the brutally powerful engine.
Supercharged it pumps out around 510bhp which rockets the car to 60mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds.
It is supercar performance and to keep it in check there is traction and stability control.
The pace - top speed is now 174mph - is delivered through a smooth seven-speed automatic gearbox, but the option to use the shift paddles behind the steering wheel gives a more involving drive.
Handling is terrific and the ride can be varied, depending on driving conditions, through switching to Sport mode which alters the suspension and engine mapping. You can have a terrific driving experience in this car.
The XKR is packed with luxury equipment from the TV enabled multimedia screen that also controls the car's major functions, including the navigation system, the top end audio system plus intelligent lighting and cruise control systems.
There are enough electrical gizmos to keep your local power station running, while every aspect of safety is covered.
A luxury car at a luxury price and for those who want event more there's the even quicker XKR-S pushing the price towards £100,000.
Jaguar XKR Convertible 5.0 Supercharged
Price: £84,550
Mechanical: 510ps, 5,000cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox
Max Speed: 174mph
0-62mph: 4.6 seconds
Combined MPG: 23
Insurance Group: 20
C02 emissions: 292g/km
Bik rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles
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