More Jaguar XKR info and pics
Now that the cat's out of the bag about the Jaguar XKR (see previous post), we have more details and some more pics to share with you.
AutoWeek reports that the supercharged 4.2L V8 will produce 420 horsepower, not the 418 we previously reported. In addition, Jaguar's acceleration claims put the coupe at 60 mph in 4.9 second and the convertible in 5.0 seconds.
The fat cat has lost 154-lbs. in R-trim, tipping the scales now at 3,671 lbs. The suspension gets stiffer spring rates all around and an additional brace between the rear shock towers. The new XKR's aluminum monocoque construction contributes to a 30-percent stiffer coupe and 40-percent stiffer convertible. Bigger brakes can be seen through the spokes of 19-inch wheels (20-inchers are optional) and benefit from ABS, electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist.
Reportedly the XKR will arrive in showrooms this December, which is a great time of year to put your new high-performance convertible up for sale. If you want an XKR convertible and don't mind driving around with icicles on your 'stach for awhile, the droptop should go for around $92,000. The coupe is expected to be $85,000.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ruggels 3:21PM (6/29/2006)
Well I for one am glad to see that ford needs a supercharger to reach the same power displacement ratio as audi has with their NA 4.2, and that their 'performance' coupe isn't any faster then audi's RS4, and that one could buy an RS4 and an A3 for the same price as the JAG, retaining the ability to transport four in speed and style... NICE!! I'm sure the Jag's built better though, it's certainly more attractive! [/sarcasm]
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Paul 3:25PM (6/29/2006)
The coupe is absolutely beautiful. Bravo Jag!
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Paul 3:27PM (6/29/2006)
I dont understand the love affair with audi at all. Performance wise they do a very good job (i dont know what is wrong with using a power adder though, since when did that become a negative?) but they are down right ugly. They are boring and ugly.
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G. Snyder 3:32PM (6/29/2006)
That is an Aston Martin simple as that. Think of something better Jaguar, you suck so does Ford.
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GH 3:33PM (6/29/2006)
This is not a visually pleasing car at all. The last XKR was far sexier and more predatorial in its Jaguar-ness.
http://automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com/2006/06/new-jaguar-xkr-3-leaps-back.html
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Colin 3:43PM (6/29/2006)
I am disappointed with this car. It obviously draws some inspiration from the F-type concept, but doesnt do it well. My father had an E-type when he was my age, and I was looking forward to following in his footsteps with an F-Type. The XKR is more suited to my father at 58 than it is to me at 24 :(
http://images.google.com/images?q=f-type
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ruggels 3:44PM (6/29/2006)
"I dont understand the love affair with audi at all."
it wasn't so much my love for audi, as it was "oh wow looks like ford took the cheapo route to designing a power plant that's far from remarkable and achieved a new blandness interior standard for the $80,000 class of car. Audi, and it's parent company, VAG, are producing far more remarkable power plants from the 1.4l TSI, to the 4.2l RS4 v8, to the Veyron's W16 - and beautiful interiors. yet ford gives us this, a painfully stripped down AMV8 and expects us to regard it as a true jag. VAG couldn't get away with this BS, that's why the Bentley's are such beautiful cars (conti in particular), and why they've received so much acclaim and sell so well, because VAG didn't just stamp "CHEAP" on the Bentley line, tossing out whatever they could at a specific price/profit point and ignoring heritage all together. Unlike, say, this delightful car.
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Paul 3:57PM (6/29/2006)
7 very legitimate statement- makes much more sense to me when stated that way.
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Ryan 4:04PM (6/29/2006)
It looks like a MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
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Andy 4:07PM (6/29/2006)
Anybody else notice that the red starter button switches from the right side of the shifter to the left side?
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Paul 4:20PM (6/29/2006)
the image where it is on the left looks rendered.
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Julius 4:21PM (6/29/2006)
10. The interior shot with the red starter button on the right side is likely a UK version of the vehicle with right hand drive.
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r.yo 4:25PM (6/29/2006)
ruggels... you lost me somewhere between implying that forced induction is a cop-out when Jaguar does it and singing the praises of Bentley, which puts twin-turbo engines in every model it makes. Did you start your weekend drinking early? ;)
What's so painful about a "stripped-down" AMV8? I think a few people would rather have a stripped-down Aston Martin called an XKR than a tarted-up Passat named RS4.
And how can you accuse them of ignoring their heritage? They still have the... ahem... *unique* "J-gate" shifter!
In any case, beauty is in the eye of... someone. For the sake of argument, let's say that someone is me. And I think the previous Jag XK was an unattractive car, especially from the side and the rear. The new one is a big step forward.
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Bob-o 4:27PM (6/29/2006)
The interior is like that of any Ford. a.k.a. snoooooze.
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chuck goolsbee 4:31PM (6/29/2006)
Starter button shifts whether the car is LHD or RHD.
As for lamenting the lack of an F-type... yeah that was a missed opportunity. I've seen the new XK in the flesh and it is a very nice car, but can not touch the iconic stature of the E-type. You really can't blame Jaguar for not being able to reach that pinnacle... it is an unobtainable goal.
There will never be another E-type.
It was one of the best performers in the world, at one-third the price. I can't be done again. It was a road-tuned race car... the natural evolution of the D-type that dominated Le Mans in the 1950s. In 1961, you could buy an E-type. What are the chances that I can buy an Audi R10 in three years with two seats and top? Nil.
Those days are gone.
--chuck
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Dr. Greenthumb 5:02PM (6/29/2006)
"4. That is an Aston Martin simple as that. Think of something better Jaguar, you suck so does Ford."
The gentleman that designed the last batch of Astons, is now at the helm of Jaguar design. So, don't be shocked by the similarities.
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ruggels 5:32PM (6/29/2006)
“ ruggels... you lost me somewhere between implying that forced induction is a cop-out when Jaguar does it and singing the praises of Bentley, which puts twin-turbo engines in every model it makes. Did you start your weekend drinking early? ;)”
Ford requires forced induction to do what audi is doing with a powerplant of the same size. That doesn’t scream of an engineering marvel to me. I thought Jag was a sporting company which brought some of their race pedigree to their cars, ie the original E mentioned above.
“What's so painful about a "stripped-down" AMV8? I think a few people would rather have a stripped-down Aston Martin called an XKR than a tarted-up Passat named RS4.”
Yup because the Passat and the RS4 are on the same platform… or not… and that ‘tarted up passat can’t beat an m3 around the track’, oh wait it can. And it looks like a passat… wait it doesn’t. it looks like an audi, an audi that can take the Jag on and beat it, and we’re not even talking audi’s new supercar which will be priced at the same point as the jag.
“And how can you accuse them of ignoring their heritage? They still have the... ahem... *unique* "J-gate" shifter!”
For the love of god, please tell me this is sarcasm.
“In any case, beauty is in the eye of... someone. For the sake of argument, let's say that someone is me. And I think the previous Jag XK was an unattractive car, especially from the side and the rear. The new one is a big step forward.”
I’m glad you like it, for Jag and Ford’s sake, let’s hope tens of thousands more are able to put brand recognition above competitive dynamics (go watch a few video reviews of the car). It’s a pity really, that the passat tarting wing of VW happens to be the most profitable brand in their portfolio, as opposed to say, Jag, which is far from profitable in the PAG portfolio.
I’m sorry, but a bulbus shape and J gate do not a Jag make. Looks like we can expect more delightful products from the people who brought us the X type, YES!
Give me a call if Jag is still around in five years, I’ll buy you a beer. Just don’t read today’s paper re: ford, things don’t look very good.
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Road Tester 6:18PM (6/29/2006)
Awesome. Now, where is that clutch pedal and the manual gearbox again? It's a shame they provide an automatic only!
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Evan 11:23PM (6/29/2006)
I like the little detail on the brake calipers.
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Mehul Kamdar 11:32PM (6/29/2006)
Beauty lies in the beholder's eye - to mine, this car looks extremely beautiful. I do agree with those who feel that it deserves a manual box. Come on, Ford, put one in. The car deserves one.
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