Autoblog

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.


[Source: Jaguar]

Now that Jaguar and Aston Martin are no longer officially related, the leaping cat feels free to pounce on its former corporate sibling. The current Jaguar XK-R isn't enough to really challenge cars like the Aston Martin Vantage V8 or Porsche 911, so Jag is cooking up a hotter version -- an XK-R-R?

With ECU and engine modifications, the forced breather should be good for more than 500 HP and a 180+ MPH top speed. With that kind of heat -- an 80+ HP jump over the current XKR and 120+ more than the Vantage -- the car will get to 60 in 4.5 seconds. It is expected to take cues and more from Jag's GT3 race car, yet while it is thought to get racing-style bucket seats and carbon fiber trim, it will still be appointed like a Jag. Outside, a new front air dam is the only change that has been spied so far.

[Source: Autogespot via Motor Authority]

click image above for high-res gallery

Put a gun to my head, hand over a winning lottery ticket and tell me to go out and bring back the best grand touring sports car money can buy, and I may just return with a Jaguar XK. Ask for the best large or midsize luxury saloon, however, and you will not get a car crowned by a leaping jungle cat. Read Dan Roth's review of the 2007 Jaguar XK Convertible, and you'll wonder just how the current XJ, S-Type and X-Type can be sold under the same brand as the XK Coupe and Convertible.

So what happens when you add an "R" to the XK? For one, the price jumps by $11,000 to $92,500. Aside from that, the high-performance version of Jaguar's sexy drop top kicks things up a notch from mild to medium strength. As good as the XK is, does the additional consonant make that big of a difference?

Jaguar scraped together a few bucks to make several less-than-noteworthy changes to the XK, XKR and the X-type, and since they took the trouble of putting together press releases, we felt obligated to pass along the information to you.

The XK and its hotted-up big bro the XKR receive a revised rear spoiler, new 20-inch five spoke rollers, and an Alcon-developed braking setup that was only available on the Portfolio Special Edition. On the inside, owners that opted to wait a year will now get a choice of wood or aluminum inserts, piano black instrument and shifter surrounds, a bit more chrome, alloy pedals and an optional 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio arrangement.

As for the X-Type, the only visual change comes courtesy of new mesh grille and two new colors: Blue Prism and White Onyx. The model choices now consist of "S," "SE," "Sport Premium" and "Sovereign."

For the Jaguar aficionados out there, you can read both press releases in their entirety after the jump and check out the high res galleries of the vehicles below.

[Source: Jaguar]

UPDATE: Jeffrey Ehoodin, Maserati's PR man cited below, contacted us to say that pricing HAS NOT been set on the GranTurismo and that the source listed is incorrect. Expect pricing to be firmed up sometime towards September, when the GT is set to be released.

At the Chicago Auto Show, Maserati PR man Jeffrey Ehoodin said "We are not an exotic." In case that didn't get the message across, Maserati has put its money where its mouth is, pricing the new GranTurismo at $95,000. That slots the Maser in above the Jaguar XKR convertible and below the BMW M6 Coupe and Mercedes CL.

Maserati discovered that people thought their cars were as expensive as DB9's and Continental GT's. That's great for the prestige stakes, but awful for the bottom line. The GranTurismo is, in fact, $18K cheaper than the cheapest Aston Martin, the V8 Vantage. Though the Maserati is short 15 hp to and .7 seconds slower to 60 than the XKR, what you get instead is a rolling sculpture designed by the man who penned the 599, usable rear seats, and the Maserati cachet that everyone else seems to think costs so much. And even though you don't see too many XKR's on the road, you're guaranteed to see even few GranTurismos -- if you're into that sort of thing. To all those folks who wanted Maserati's but thought they couldn't afford one, when the car arrives in June, you can come on in from the cold.

[Source: eGM Car Tech]

Autoweek wrote up a compelling exposé on an internal movement at Jaguar that might have boosted profits and added some sporting credentials to the troubled marque.

The entire report is well worth the read, but the quick-and-dirty version involved slapping superchargers onto every model in the Jag lineup and pushing these high performance models as the new face of Jaguar. The rationale for this plan was simple: Jaguar's R-badged offerings made more money per unit, for both the automaker and the dealers, than any of their other models and if they could make Jag the "supercharged" brand, there might have been a light at the end of the financially troubled tunnel.

During the exploratory phase, Jag's engineers worked up a few supercharged X-type prototypes while the marketing crew was hard at work trying to gear advertising towards their new mission statement.

In the end, the X-types were either crushed or thrown into storage, numbers didn't crunch as intended, executives began getting squeamish -- especially at the prospect of the inevitable comparos between Jaguar and other high- performance luxury brands (ahem, BMW), and eventually, the entire plan was shelved. Considering that the goal was to make Jaguar a niche player, selling a small amount of unique vehicles at a profit, it's disappointing to see that the brand is now just selling a small amount of vehicles.

[Source: Autoweek]

Apex Motorsport is set to run at least six new Jaguar XKR Coupes in the FIA's '07 GT3 European Championship. The same people who brought us the Le Mans-winning Bentley back in 2003, Apex has taken on a new partner and been reformed for this venture. Should be refreshing to see this legendary name return to racing, especially in something that mimics the road cars so closely.

The Jags will join showroom rivals such as Aston Martin and Maserati on the tracks of Europe next year without official factory support but with Jaguar's blessing. The process of turning these new aluminum-bodied, supercharged Jags into race cars will start immediately at Apex's Buckingham, England shop. They are expected to be ready for the first race next season.

[Source: Crash.net]

Jaguar North America chose the upmarket automotive aura surrounding Pebble Beach this weekend to announce the U.S. pricing for its new supercharged 2007 XKR Coupe and Convertible.

Pricing for the Coupe will start at $86,500, while the Convertible version starts at $92,500.

In Thursday's announcement, the 420 hp XKR models were described as, "sensational cars to drive that define the road...the 2007 XKR provides those who have an affinity for power and luxury, the combination of exhilaration and refinement."

Standard XKR features include:

• enhanced ride and handling via uprated springs and dampers, plus a recalibrated active technology suspension system
• six-speed automatic with paddle shifters ("shifts in milliseconds")
  
• the aforementioned supercharged V8, good for 0-60 in 4.9 seconds
• an Active Exhaust System - quiet at cruise, but pleasingly loud under hard acceleration
• unique styling features
• unique aluminum "weave" design interior trim (more traditional Poplar or Walnut veneer trim is a no-cost option)
  
• performance brakes
• 'R' sports seats
• 19-inch wheels
• adaptive front lighting

XKR options include a Luxury Package at $2,100 (upgraded leather, 16-way power seats, leather-trimmed instrument panel), a Premium Sound Package at $1,875 (Alpine 525-watt, 8-speaker system with SIRIUS satellite radio), and a radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control system at $2,200.

For more information on the big cat, check out our earlier posts, here and here.

[Source: Ford]

So far we've scoured the internet for news of the new Jaguar XKR, but as of today the British automaker has made the high performance coupe and convertible official by bestowing us with high-resolution image, some not seen before, and an official press release. Below are the highlights of the press release, though you can read it in its entirety after the jump. Check out the pics, as well. Just click on one to see its high-rez version.

All-new 2007 Jaguar XKR At-A-Glance Highlights

• 4.2-liter, supercharge V8 engine developing 420bhp and 413 lb.-ft. (560Nm) of torque
• 0-60mph acceleration in 4.9 seconds and 155mph (electronically limited) top speed
• All-aluminum construction means a lighter, stiffer vehicle, which improves handling and agility. At 3,671lbs (1,665kg), the Coupe is 154lbs (70kg) lighter than its predecessor, while the 3,781lbs (1,715kg) Convertible is 220lbs (100kg) lighter than its previous XKR Convertible
• Uprated springs and dampers, and recalibrated Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) system for enhanced ride and handling
• Class-leading six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles
  
• Active Exhaust System to ensure cruising speed refinement, but purposeful V8 roar under hard acceleration
• Subtle XKR exterior styling enhancements include a sportier grille and front bumper design, vented hood, unique aluminum-effect side power vents and new wheel designs
• Enhanced interior includes unique aluminum 'weave' design on the fascia (polished burl walnut is optional at no extra cost) and XKR sports seats
• Intuitive controls and driver-focused technologies are available – including Keyless Entry, Keyless Start, advanced Touchscreen and Active Front Lighting

[Source: Jaguar]

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]