Autoblog

EVO pits 2012 Jaguar XKR-S vs. XJ220 at the 'Ring

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Jaguar

You may conjure up visions of luxury sedans and boulevard cruisers when you think of Jaguar, but the Leaping Cat marque has also made some wickedly fast sports cars over the years.

Foremost among them is surely the XJ220, the all-out, world-conquering supercar Coventry produced in the early '90s. A Jaguar XJ220 set the Nürburgring lap record in 1992 when John Nielsen recorded a 7:46 lap - a record that held until it was finally unseated at the turn of the millennium.

The question is, could Jaguar's latest production model match the aging Super Cat for pace around the Norschleife? To find out, Evo's Chris Harris took the new XKR-S down to Eifel and brought along the XJ220... piloted by the same John Nielsen, no less. Follow the jump to see how it went down.

Continue reading EVO pits 2012 Jaguar XKR-S vs. XJ220 at the 'Ring

EVO pits 2012 Jaguar XKR-S vs. XJ220 at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar plays up XKR-S Nürburgring run

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Jaguar, Luxury

The droptop version of the Jaguar XKR-S - the one introduced to the U.S. at the LA Auto Show that's already sold out - has been thrown around the Nürburgring by test driver Sascha Bert, and the recipe contains all the basic ingredients: a lot of music and suspension travel, a little bit of roaring and opposite lock. You knew this was coming, but that doesn't make it any less fun to watch when it happens, right?

Four minutes and 26 seconds of your day will disappear right after the jump...

Continue reading Jaguar plays up XKR-S Nürburgring run

Jaguar plays up XKR-S Nürburgring run originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible is fast, expensive and already sold out

Michael Harley — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Jaguar, Design/Style, Luxury

Jaguar has pulled the covers off its 2012 XKR-S Convertible here at the LA Auto Show, the droptop variant of the XKR-S Coupe which arrived earlier this year. Fitted with a power-operated folding cloth roof, the two-door takes its passengers from shade to sun in just 18 seconds at the touch of a button.

The most powerful and fastest open-topped GT Jaguar has ever built, the new flagship convertible is fitted with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 rated at 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. With a standard six-speed paddle-shifted automatic, acceleration to 60 mph from a standstill takes just 4.2 seconds, says the automaker. Top speed for this king of the XK range is 186 mph.

In addition to its upgraded suspension, there are a host of aggressive functional aero bits including a carbon fiber front splitter, side sills and a carbon fiber rear valance. Inside, there are 16-way adjustable sport seats trimmed in carbon leather.

Each XKR-S Convertible carries a sticker price of $138,875 (including $875 destination), which represents a $6,000 premium over its closed-rood coupe sibling. Limited to just 25 units in the States, all have reportedly been sold in advance of the car's debut.

Continue reading 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible is fast, expensive and already sold out

2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible is fast, expensive and already sold out originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible, the fastest drop-top cat ever offered

Drew Phillips — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:50:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Jaguar

Those wanting Jaguar's top-of-the-line two-door in drop-top form are now getting their wish as the company has officially unveiled the XKR-S Convertible ahead of its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The convertible features the same supercharged 550 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 found in the coupe, making it the most powerful rag-top that Jaguar has ever built. It's also the fastest, with the XKR-S sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.

The XKR-S Convertible shares the same exterior appointments as its hardtop sibling, featuring a new front bumper with wider, lower air intake and a carbon fiber splitter. There is also a new rear wing with a carbon fiber insert. It doesn't stop there, as the interior also receives special appointments including performance seats trimmed in carbon leather.

You can read more details about the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible in the press release after the jump, and check back tomorrow for live photos of the car from the show floor.

Continue reading 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible, the fastest drop-top cat ever offered

2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible, the fastest drop-top cat ever offered originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno puts Jaguar XKR-S through its paces around the Nurburgring

Zach Bowman — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Jaguar, Celebrities, Luxury

Jaguar put Jay Leno behind the wheel of the company's newest heathen - the XKR-S - for a handful of quick laps around the fabled Nurburgring, and Leno, thankfully, brought along a production staff to record the occasion.

The comedian was able to squeeze in a few lead-follow laps with Sascha Bert on point and eventually worked his speed up to a best time of 8:41. Not too shabby for a guy who's used to putting along under steam power. It's clear from the clip that Leno holds the Nurburgring to be sacred ground.

Leno doesn't spend too much time pontificating on the merits of the XKR-S. While we're treated to plenty of great shots of the car dancing around the track and the sound of its vicious dual-exhaust, the clip is absent any real driving impressions. Still, that's just fine by us. We already know all about how the XKR-S performs. Click past the jump to check out the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage.

Continue reading Jay Leno puts Jaguar XKR-S through its paces around the Nurburgring

Jay Leno puts Jaguar XKR-S through its paces around the Nurburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR-S looks, sounds beastly

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Jaguar, Luxury

2011 Jaguar XKR-S - Click above to watch video after the jump

Jaguar has released new footage of the 2012 XKR-S, positively mauling Portugal's Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. As promised, the steroid-fed XK looks to be as fleet-footed as a NASA orbiter, pulling down 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way to a 186 mph top speed. It also appears that each and every one of its 542 horses (same as the XJ220) has an insatiable appetite for very expensive tires.

The coolest thing about this big electric blue coupe has to be its evil yowl as heard from inside the garages at the Portimao Circuit. It stands to reason that it should sound good, with a big V8 breathing through what amounts to an open exhaust system, but this big cat has enough aural might to show up even the most hardcore eight-banger from our shores. For the full effect, hit up the video after the jump, and crank the volume up to 11.

Continue reading Jaguar XKR-S looks, sounds beastly

Jaguar XKR-S looks, sounds beastly originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:22:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar, Luxury

Jaguar XKR-S - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've heard rumblings of a more-powerful XKR. We saw spy shots of the rumored two-door as it blew through the English countryside wearing a dash of camouflage. And now it's official: Jaguar is bringing a more powerful XKR to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and goes by the name XKR-S.

We can only assume Jaguar is sticking with the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 as a motivational tool because the full details won't be unvieled until next week's shindig in Switzerland. However, we have been given a few numbers: 550 horsepower, 502 pound-feet of torque, a top-speed of 186 miles per hour and the ability to run from zero-to-60 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds.

If you weren't excited enough about Geneva, Jaguar just gave you 550 reasons to start drooling. Get the full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR-S

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva

Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Jaguar XKR-S fastest since XJ220

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Jaguar

Click above for high-res gallery of the Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar quietly trotted out its hottest XK to date, the XKR-S. Packing a 420-hp 4.2-liter V8 and sending power to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox equipped with Jaguar's Sequential Shift system, the XKR-S can run to 60 in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 174 mph, making it the fastest Jag since the XJ220 supercar.

But it's not all about motivation. The revised suspension features new springs, dampers, a larger rear anti-roll bar and a recalibrated CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension), while an active exhaust, revised aerodynamic aids (including one funky but functional spoiler) and massive, 400mm (front) and 350mm (rear) Alcon R Performance brakes balance out the package.

The Jaguar XKR-S will be limited to only 200 cars in both left- and right-hand-drive, but those of us in the States will never get a taste - it's a Euro-only affair.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Jaguar XKR-S LIVE

Gallery: Jaguar XKR-S

Continue reading Paris 2008: Jaguar XKR-S fastest since XJ220

Paris 2008: Jaguar XKR-S fastest since XJ220 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR-S won't be coming to the States

Michael Harley — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Jaguar

One of the hottest Jags to roll out of Coventry isn't coming to our shores. The highly-tuned 420-hp Jaguar XKR-S sports coupe features stiffer springs, firmer dampers, thicker anti-roll bars, quickened steering, and lighter forged 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber. Aerodynamic changes, including a new rear spoiler, reduce lift up front by 60 percent, and 17 percent at the rear, while overall drag drops by three percent. The supercharged V8 is unchanged. Limited to a run of just 200 cars, Jaguar North America doesn't feel it can run head-to-head with the likes of tuned Porsches and other sports cars in the States so the automaker is limiting sales to just Germany and Britain. What? You don't think we can handle it?

Gallery: 2008 Jaguar XKR-S

[Source: Autoweek]

Jaguar XKR-S won't be coming to the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Faster, limited, Euro-only Jaguar XKR-S unveiled

Alex Nunez — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Jaguar

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar will produce a limited run of 200 XKR-S coupes, which will be offered in Europe only. Now, the regular XKR is a delectable conveyance that combines endless sex appeal with eye-widening performance. Put plainly, it is an absolute hoot to drive. The XKR-S takes all that goodness and ramps things up a bit. The 420-horsepower blown V8 is unchanged, and the XKR-S has the same 0-60 time (4.9 seconds) as its standard counterpart. What does change is the electronically governed top speed. Adding the "S" also adds 19 mph to the cat's top end, now 174 mph.

Among the myriad other changes made for the XKR-S are the addition of big Alcon Performance R brakes, a retuned suspension, and a host of visual and aerodynamics upgrades, such as new wheels with retro-logo caps, a new front splitter, side skirts, a new rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser insert. Inside, what was already a very nice cabin becomes opulent, with new interior trim, a higher-end audio system, updated instruments (to accomodate the higher top speed) and other sundry niceties. You can sum the whole thing up in two words: "fast" and "beautiful." We want.

Gallery: 2008 Jaguar XKR-S

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Faster, limited, Euro-only Jaguar XKR-S unveiled

Geneva 2008: Faster, limited, Euro-only Jaguar XKR-S unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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