Road & Track: First Drive Jaguar XKR Cabriolet & Coupe

Bruce

If you post a comment in this thread please give the XKR a personal rating too.

Just giving this system another try with this article on the XKR

Orignal article - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

"A quick glance at a few specs for the Jaguar XKR: a 420-bhp 4.2-liter supercharged V-8 and an all-aluminum chassis with double-wishbone suspension all around. All point to the building blocks of a performance sports car. So I noticed at the press event to drive the XKR that there was a lack of drive time on a proper circuit. Instead, we would be enjoying a three-day, almost 6-hour-per-day drive exclusively on public roads. I was disappointed. After all, this latest feline from Coventry is meant to be a faster, sportier and more powerful speed demon than the standard XK coupe. An appropriate venue such as a test track would be essential to probe the car’s true capabilities.

At least that was my opinion before taking the wheel of the Jaguar XKR.
But a brief morning drive through the French countryside just outside of Paris revealed both the XKR’s powerful supercharged 4.2-liter engine and the responsive, velvety-smooth 6-speed automatic transmission to be outstanding. Like many of Jaguar’s past sports cars, the way the XKR delivers power to the wheels is never high-strung or edgy. The tremendous propulsion is served up in a relaxed but forceful manner. The factory estimates the XKR can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Not blindingly fast, but the rush and accompanying deep exhaust burble will put a smile on anyone’s face.

The XKR offers perhaps the best-to-date paddle-shift automatic transmission. In automatic mode, upshifts and downshifts are seamless. There is even engine rev-match in every gear when downshifting. Move the shifter to Sport mode (gone is the traditional J-gate replaced with a more usable reverse L-shift pattern) and take control of the gear changes by using the paddles behind the steering wheel. Surprisingly, the transmission responds quickly to driver inputs with none of the hesitation that is normally associated with the usual torque-converter-equipped gearbox.

On the highway, the Jaguar XKR cruises effortlessly. To pass slower traffic, simply romp on the throttle and the cat leaps forward instantly. Inside the cockpit, the noise level is well controlled, and even in the convertible at more than 100 mph, wind buffeting is minimal, allowing passengers to carry on normal conversation. The XKR’s ride is supple, soaking up road imperfections with ease, but not so soft that it feels like a boulevard cruiser.

For some, the XKR’s superior ride comfort at cruise may cause concern about sacrificing suspension firmness when the road does become twisty. Don’t worry. The Jaguar engineers have this one figured out. On those winding roads of the French countryside, the XKR danced through the curves with confidence and stability. The suspension is nicely damped to keep the body’s roll motion in check. The car’s built-in understeer appears progressively through tight turns. But find a few long stretches of fast switchbacks, and the XKR will waltz through the apexes precisely and fluidly. At a blistering pace.

Besides the power upgrade, firmer suspension and larger 14.0-in. front brake rotors to distinguish itself from the standard XK, there are a few more exterior and interior styling cues that give the XKR a sportier appearance. In front, the lower bumper and foglights are set off by more prominent mesh grille. The vented hood and the aluminum-trimmed side vents are in keeping with a more powerful engine. At the rear, the quad exhaust pipes add to the car’s aggressive stance. Leather sport seats and a unique aluminum-weave design on the instrument panel dress the interior. Expect the 2007 Jaguar XKR coupe to start around $87,000, with the convertible commanding an additional $7000 to $8000.

After spending three days driving and living with the Jaguar XKR, I found the car’s true strength lies in grand touring, and it performs that role perfectly. The XKR offers the ideal balance between sporting and touring. The quandary now is not whether there is track time to test the car’s performance, it is deciding whether to take the coupe or the convertible on the next road trip."

admin · 11-30-2006, 06:08 PM

Nice article, Bruce! Thank you!

Bruce · 11-30-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admin

Nice article, Bruce! Thank you!

Speaking of this thread, i created it before you changed the section name to "Member Car Reviews & More"

Is it still alright to post professional articles (from magazines) in here?

admin · 11-30-2006, 06:21 PM

True. If you edit it now, you will see a new entry for References. It will add a module on the side as well

We could also create another section for these or you could simply move the thread to European cars.

Bruce · 11-30-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admin

True. If you edit it now, you will see a new entry for References. It will add a module on the side as well

We could also create another section for these or you could simply move the thread to European cars.

Alright, i probably keep this one in here but in the future i'll stick professional articles by magazines in their respective category (whether that be European, BMW or etc.)

NevadaJack · 12-06-2006, 09:01 PM

Thanks for posting...I posted earlier on another thread that I had test driven the new XK several weeks ago. This review confirms my observations with the standard XK coupe...a very nice ride and excellent performance. Their navi and COMAND equivalent is based on Macromedia (now Adobe) Flash and was quite effective and easy to operate. I would agree on the "grand touring" role completely...a very nice ride indeed. If the future status of Jaguar was a little more stable I would be very interested in a future serious look.

Bruce · 12-06-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaJack

Thanks for posting...I posted earlier on another thread that I had test driven the new XK several weeks ago. This review confirms my observations with the standard XK coupe...a very nice ride and excellent performance. Their navi and COMAND equivalent is based on Macromedia (now Adobe) Flash and was quite effective and easy to operate. I would agree on the "grand touring" role completely...a very nice ride indeed. If the future status of Jaguar was a little more stable I would be very interested in a future serious look.

Just curious Jack, would you buy the standard XK or the XKR?

NevadaJack · 12-06-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.3 AMG

Just curious Jack, would you buy the standard XK or the XKR?

I have not seen the XKR in person but from the description, there is not that much different than some trim, engine and tuning adjustments. I did read a review of the XKR and the writer was upset with the plastic grille, the faulted trunk lining and some of the dash detail (common to the XK also.) But he praised the car. If I got interested it would probably be the XK...I would like the slightly softer ride and really don't need the extra power. It would be a waste of about $8K I think for me.

Bruce · 12-06-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaJack

If I got interested it would probably be the XK...I would like the slightly softer ride and really don't need the extra power. It would be a waste of about $8K I think for me.

I can understand that

I too, wouldn't bother with the XKR, the XK would be fine.

NevadaJack · 12-10-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.3 AMG

I can understand that

I too, wouldn't bother with the XKR, the XK would be fine.

Here is a combination that I could live with if I was to go the XK route. I love wood and leather and the Poplar is just a little too light and I don't like the specks in the wood. The Burl Walnut does not look as grainy in real life. The color is Radiance which is a subdued red. This is the Caramel Luxury package interior. The test drive I took in the convertible was really impressive but the Indigo with Charcoal interior was not that impressive.

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