In 2010, Indian-owned British car maker Jaguar introduced the XKR Speed Pack: the fastest XK yet built. Twelve months later and the Big Cat is back in the form of the XKR-S with even more power and a slicker, more track-focused profile. Carscoop has all the pics and details on the brand’s 550 hp behemoth.
With a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h) and a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of just 4.2 seconds, the XKR-S is the most powerful mass production vehicle Jaguar has ever built. It’s expected to carry a price tag of £97,000 (US$157,926 / €114,265) when it launches in September of this year.
The 5.0 L supercharged V8 puts out 550 hp (410 kW) of power and a non-too-shabby 680 Nm (502 lb. Ft.) of torque, all the while admitting a (comparatively) green 300g/km of CO2.
Jaguar’s altered the XK with a custom exhaust, bespoke suspension set up and unique styling elements derived from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and wind tunnel testing. These include new intakes, sills, rear apron and carbon-fibre splitter and rear diffuser. The ride height has also been lowered by 10 mm and a new rear wing features a carbon fiber centre section.
The XKR-s also gets LED headlights, a leaping cat on the boot lid, 20-inch alloys, 16-way adjustable memory seats with “carbon-fibre effect leather” and some unique colour options reflecting the Brand’s sporting heritage including the French Racing Blue pictured here.
It seems fitting to end with a comment from Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Design Director and the man responsible for the XK, current gen XJ and XF:
“The styling of [the XKR-S] isn’t about image, it’s about true performance. Like other iconic Jaguars before it, the styling has been driven by geometry and aerodynamics for genuine design purity. The physics required to achieve 300kph have led the aesthetic; if you don’t like the way it looks, you probably won’t like the way it drives either.”
The Jaguar XKR-S made its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. You can check out our comprehensive image gallery below.
By Tristan Hankins
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