THE JAGUAR XKR-S GENEVA, Switzerland, March 1, 2011
- Making its
debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2011, the XKR-S is the most extreme
expression yet of Jaguar's passion for building beautiful, fast cars.
For the first time with a series production car, Jaguar gains entry to
the exclusive '300kph club' (186mph) thanks to the effortless
performance of the supercharged 5.0-litre AJ-V8 engine. A revised
fueling map means the direct-injection powerplant now produces 550hp*
and 502 lb/ft of torque. Extensive tuning has ensured that power
delivery and performance are seamless, contributing to a 0-60mph time of
4.2 seconds. The active exhaust encourages and rewards the enthusiastic
driver with dramatic, motorsport-inspired aural
feedback.
The pinnacle of the XK range
builds on experience gathered from the supercharged XKR and has been
developed to extend the performance parameters of the car. This new
sharper-edged character allows the enthusiastic driver to explore the
limits of the car's dynamics without losing the refinement for which
Jaguar is famous. The structural rigidity of the lightweight aluminum
platform allowed the suspension to be reworked with bespoke components
for increased stiffness without a commensurate loss of refinement. A
reworked aluminum front suspension knuckle and revised rear geometry are
allied to stiffer springs and dampers, lightweight forged alloy wheels
and recalibrated steering effort provide immediate response and produce a
more connected and agile driving
experience.
The performance of the XKR-S is
reflected in both its interior and exterior styling, which feature
exclusive new paint colors that reflect Jaguar's racing heritage. As
with competition Jaguar cars of the past, the exterior of the XKR-S
adheres to the principle of form following function. In addition to the
styling changes, the XKR-S was the subject of extensive Computational
Fluid Dynamics development work in order for it to achieve 186mph. The
resultant changes reduce front and rear lift and optimizes lateral
aerodynamic stability. The performance intent of the XKR-S is clear from
the moment the driver enters the cabin thanks to new cosseting
Performance seats with prominent shoulder bolsters for close support
during hard cornering. The seats feature 16-way adjustment, with memory
and heating functions. A new three-spoke steering wheel provides the
perfect interface between car and driver.