Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Jaguar, Misc. Auto Shows
Jaguar XKR - the cat's out of the bag

Snap. Don't know who is getting canned over this rather large leak, but official pics of the Jaguar XKR that was supposed to make its world debut at the British Motor Show in July have made their way onto the world wide web. From what we know the XKR will come with a supercharged 4.2L V8 developing 416 horsepower. Available in both coupè and cabriolet versions, the hardtop will be able to reach 62 mph in 5.2 seconds with the droptop not far behind at 5.3 seconds. The ferocious cat's terminal velocity will be electronically limited to 155 mph.
Pricing for high-po XKR will be EUR 94,990 for the coupe and EUR 102,990 for the cabriolet. The visual changes lend a new look to this precocious cat that appears remarkably show worthy. From the hood scallops to the mesh grille and air intakes to the aluminum-trimmed air outlet aft of the front wheels, the XKR's got style aplenty.
[Source: autoblog.it]







Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
chewy 2:02AM (6/29/2006)
Don't like it at all, the "mesh" grill looks bad, the hood scoops look bad.
Reply
John Marshall 3:26AM (6/29/2006)
Love the whole front end, scoops and the unconventional grill. Looks great - Back end more distinctively Jaggy. Just spare me the Brit pronunciation on the US commercials. Like the air of sophistication from the upper crust Brit accent but that "JaggyUAre" irritates the daylights out of me.
Reply
The Doctor 3:27AM (6/29/2006)
Erm... The last XKR had a mesh grille and hood vents...
Reply
XJ 3:35AM (6/29/2006)
It needs a shave.
Reply
JDG 5:32AM (6/29/2006)
This don't look like a Jaguar guys. To Maseratish if you ask me. To fat in the front. And if that "stuck on" rear spoiler don't have Ford written all over I don't know what does. I agree...needs a shave and if those hood vents aren't "working" loose them. It's suppose to be a Jaguar for pity sakes.
Reply
caffee 7:00AM (6/29/2006)
Sorry, but the front end looks just like a giant goldfish. A very unexciting car.
Reply
David 7:02AM (6/29/2006)
glad to see jaguar reusing mesh gutter wire from home depot for the front end of their cars...
Reply
Paul 8:23AM (6/29/2006)
number two hit it on the head. AMazing front end. Very Jag from the back for better or worse. Overall it is a pretty beautiful car.
Reply
Paul 8:24AM (6/29/2006)
I stand by my last comments but I think that perhaps the design is a wrong move. It clearly appeals to a younger crowd, but no one in the younger crowd will be buying this car.
Reply
Clarence 8:32AM (6/29/2006)
This looks like someone pimped my 90 Miata.
Reply
epp_b 9:44AM (6/29/2006)
Wow, what is wrong with you people? That thing is gorgeous!
["This don't look like a Jaguar guys. To Maseratish if you ask me. To fat in the front."]
No, it doesn't look like a (typical) Jaguar and doesn't look like a Masaerati either. It's better than that - this car was designed by the same guy who designs Aston Martins.
Reply
mark 10:18AM (6/29/2006)
would this come with a manual transmission option? can any oem claim to build a sportscar without such an option?
Reply
DJ 10:39AM (6/29/2006)
Unfortunately, the XK is one of, if not the first, new car to go into production after Europe's new "pedestrian safety" requirements took effect. As a result, Callum has somewhat limited in how he could design the front end to meet those nanny state requirements, yet still make it look like a proper Jaguar. I think the mesh grille is a huge improvement over the base model's nose. Then again, it's a Jaguar and I'm very biased toward Jag.
Reply
Chris 11:23AM (6/29/2006)
I like the styling of the XKR. It's more masculine than the standard XK and holds true to Jaguars heritage. I find it funny that so many people are upset with the mesh grille. Do you have any idea how many Euro cars use this mesh? Many paint the mesh but Jaguar has had this stainless mesh on their cars for years - and I me years.
Reply
DJ 11:52AM (6/29/2006)
For 2006, all Jag's have mesh grilles. Models with normally aspirated engines wear stainless mesh, while supercharged model, R's, receive a "blackened" or graphite mesh.
By the way, I had considered updating my wife's 2004 XJ8 with mesh grilles. The mesh insert alone is $360 PER SIDE!
Reply
Amer Mushtaq 1:39PM (6/29/2006)
Just as the when the first pictures were released of the new Jaguar XK, people are too quick to jump up and scream about the plain looks of the front and back.
The true beauty of the car is realised when you see one in the flesh as it flies past you. A truely beautiful beast.
The XKR exhaust notes have even more growling notes than the base model, and that sounded awesome as it was.
Reply
Eyad 1:45PM (6/29/2006)
[This looks like someone pimped my 90 Miata.]
OMG I thought the same thing! Too funny... this car sux ass.
Reply
Tim 1:58PM (6/29/2006)
This car looks absolutely amazing, anyone know how much its gonna go for?
Reply
Joshi 5:42PM (6/29/2006)
I love the new XK and now the XKR. But maybe because I'm an Aston Martin fan.
Reply
Kevin L 7:59PM (6/29/2006)
It continually amazes me how incredibly negative most responses to autoblog articles are. If you people are so damn disappointed, why don't you go back your Sports Illustrated and read something you understand. So many times I look to see what people say about a blog, and the vast majority of the responses are only so much drabble. It seems that no auto manufacturer can do anything right for some of you. You criticize everything, especially new designs. I for one am very pleased with the variety of automotive styles available. Thanks to all the people deigning cars today. If all auto makers made cars that pleased most of the blog responders, we would all be driving 1983 Chevy Citations, with no hubcaps like you probably drive. Get real people, get a life, get creative, get positive.
Reply