Iron Maiden drummer and long time Jaguar enthusiast, Nicko McBrain, took possession of a bespoke XKR-S that has been “Maidenized.”
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Jaguar is considering taking its XKR-S to the next level of race inspired performance; a feat we didn’t think was possible. Jaguar has announced that they are considering a special edition XKR-S designed specifically for race day.
The special edition XKR-S will be designed for the customer who wants to spend a day at the track, and drive home at night in the same car. To achieve this Jaguar will likely remove the rear seats, replace the front two seats with proper racing seats, add unique gauges, add a fire suppression system and possibly outfit the car with a full roll cage. While much of this is speculation, it seems that all these changes and add ons would be the obvious choices to make the XKR-S an even more track ready car. The exterior will likely also get some added flare with a bigger rear spoiler and possibly a new ground effects kit.
The specially outfitted XKR-S would be built by Jaguar owned Engineered to Order(ETO) group, who produce bespoke cars for high value Jag customers.
Watch for this specially outfitted supercar at the Geneva or possibly the Paris motor show.
[Source: Car and Driver]
The all new Jaguar XKR-S Convertible is now official, boasting a supercharged 5.0L V8 engine that is also found in the XKR-S Coupe. With 542-hp, this makes it Jaguar’s most powerful open-top model yet and also rounds off the XK-line with a convertible variant for every model.
Performance numbers for this convertible are impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of just 4.2-seconds and a top speed of 186-mph. And despite packing over 100-lbs more than the Coupe model, the performance figures are identical. Lowering the roof takes a mere 18-seconds after a push of a button and to ensure stability at its top speed, Jaguar’s engineers added some aerodynamic upgrades over the XKR Convertible, giving it a more aggressive look as well.
The XKR-S Convertible sits 0.4-inch lower, while the new front bumper sports a wider air intake and a carbon fiber splitter. New side skirts flow towards the rear where a new rear wing can be found sporting a carbon fiber center. All of the aerodynamic changes equate to a 26-percent improvement to downforce.
And to give it a classier appearance, the chrome trim was swapped out for gloss black painted pieces, while the 20-inch Vulcan wheels are standard along with the brake calipers done in a bright red or more subtle gunmetallic grey. The suspension is also upgraded from the XKR Convertible, with stiffer springs and Active Damping software in order to maximize body control and grip. The front features massive 15-inch rotors with the rear barely smaller at 14.8-inch. The result is 38-percent more stopping power than the XKR counterpart.
GALLERY: Jaguar XKR-S Convertible
Jaguar will officially unveil the XKR-S Convertible today at the LA Auto Show. For a full preview of the show and complete coverage, click here.
Jaguar’s new high performance XKR-S is the fastest car in its lineup since the XJ220 supercar built twenty years ago. Jaguar is now considering installing the same 542-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in the XK convertible and XF sedan. The XKR-S convertible and coupe will have identical aerodynamic upgrades feauturing front and rear carbon-fiber spoilers as well as extra front air scoops and wider fender arches. This Jaguar is capable of reaching 186 mph and looks absolutely fantastic.
The XF will also receive an “S” model featuring improved power with a new 0-60 time of around 4 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. The XFR-S will supposedly cost around $25,000 more than the regular XFR so it is fairly expensive. However this car is supposed to give the BMW M5 a run for its money and will also compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG.
Both the XKR-S convertible and the XFR-S sedan will receive the active exhaust system that opens for more power and sound during performance driving, as well as the variable-rate dampers.
[Source: Motor Trend]
Calling it “the fastest and most powerful car that Jaguar has ever built”, Global Band Director Adrian Hallmark extolled the powerful coupe’s virtues even further during its debut at the Geneva Auto Show today. “It is the most agile and most responsive, but” he paused, “it is still a GT.”
Designed to perform like a sports car, the XKR-S is still a luxury coupe and Jaguar promises owners will be able to enjoy both sides of the machine simultaneously.
Making 550-hp thanks to a retuned version of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in the XKR, Jag promises a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 186-mph.
Sporting a new aero package with plenty of vents and exposed carbon fiber bits, the XKR-S also boasts four big exhaust pipes. Add to that a retuned suspension and new light weight wheels.
As possibly the highest performance version of the XK to debut before it is replaced with an all-new car, you won’t be able to decided whether to drive it like you stole it, or park it in a museum.















