Jaguar XKR-S

As I promised, I am writing about the cars from the Jaguar Land Rover event. And I would like to start with Jaguar XKR-S. XKR-S is the lunatic version of the Jaguar XK! The extra two letters R-S may not seem like a big difference but these two words make the difference between day and night.

XK is a very nice GT car, you can drive for long journeys. It will always responses to your demands, everything is nicely packed, good handling and you know the rest. However, the XKR-S does the same things but in a more lunatic way. Because, it has a supercharged 5-lt petrol engine produces 550 PS of power and 680 nm of torque. And it is only 1,7 tonnes! With more basic words, this car accelerates and drives like crazy! Even if you are passenger, you can feel the power of the acceleration momentum in your whole body. Also, this car never shifts up the gears until you wish. In manual mode, gears not shifted automatically and sticks to desired one!

When I first saw this car, I never expected this level of engagement with the driver and exposure of power. It looks a bit over styled by the spoiler and a bit funny looking air intakes. You may be thinking, this car is just an over styled version of normal XK. But this is totally wrong! These entire design bits precisely explain the lunatic character of the car. Nothing is exaggerated, actually what you see is nothing.

And it is not limited with the engine, the gearbox, steering wheel, suspension. Everything is so well design, works with harmony with each other. It may not be as accurate as a Porsche 911, or delivers the Formula 1 technology like Ferrari. But, it is definitely a car that can blow you mind off. The engine is so powerful that you need to train your foot to avoid spinning the wheels even the traction is on. This is the only car that you should drive it in winter mode in daily basis, still winter mode does not make this car a domestic pet; it is still a lion!

The surprising thing with XKR-S is the engagement of the car with the driver. This is a real driver’s car and you would love to drive more and more. It may not look like an Aston Martin but it is way better than an Aston Martin.

In my opinion for this price tag, you cannot get something better! Of course, there are some minor issues with the car. The navigation screen is slow acting and blur, they have to replace the screen with a better resolution one. And the electric windows’ control buttons look cheap for this car. However, you won’t be interested on these thing while you driving.

For more photos: Cars & Life Facebook Page

2012 MY XKR-S 550PS SUPERCHARGED

OTR £97,000

Two Door Coupe

Exterior Colour: FRENCH RACING BLUE

Interior Trim:  WARM CHARCOAL

Interior veneer: PIANO BLACK

Wheels: 20 inch VULCAN SATIN DARK GREY

 Technical Information

·          Acceleration 0-to-60 mph ·          Acceleration 0-to-100 kph ·          Maximum speed – mph / kph ·          Maximum power – PS @ rpm / min ·          Torque – (EEC Nm) @rpm / min ·          Driven wheels ·          Engine

4.2 secs 4.4 secs 186 / 300 550 / 405 6000 - 6500 680 / 502 2500 / 5500 Rear AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0L

·          Emissions Class ·          Transmission ·          Combined Fuel Economy (mpg) ·          Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) ·          Kerb Vehicle Weight (kg) ·          CO2 g/km

Euro 5 6-speed auto 23.0 70.6 1,753 292

 Safety and Security

·          Remote control central locking with dead locking and drive-away locking ·          Microwave intrusion sensing ·          Engine immobiliser ·          Valet mode ·          Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ·          Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) ·          Roll-over Protection System (Convertible only) ·          Airbags front and side (driver and front passenger) ·          Adaptive Restraint Technology System (A.R.T.S.TM)

·          Front and rear seat belt pre-tensioners ·          Front seat whiplash reduction system ·          Belt minder system (front seats only) ·          ISOFIX ·          Pedestrian Contact SensingTM – Automatically deployable bonnet system ·          Warning triangle ·          First aid kit ·          Jaguar Tyre Repair System

 Powertrain and Driving Dynamics

·           6-speed electronic automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential ShiftTM ·          JaguarDrive SelectorTM ·          JaguarDrive ControlTM with Winter Mode and Dynamic Mode ·          Adaptive Dynamics ·          Cruise Control with Automatic Speed Limiter (ASL)

·          Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) ·          Electric Parking Brake (EPB) – drive-away release ·          Dynamic Stability Control (with Trac DSC mode

 Exterior Features

·          Bi-function HID Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, integrated cornering lights, ·          and automatic levelling ·          LED tail lamps ·          Automatic headlamps ·          Automatic headlamp washers ·          Rain sensing windscreen wipers

·          Heated exterior mirrors with electric adjustment, power-folding with auto-powerfold on locking vehicle, auto-dimming and memory function with integrated LED side repeaters and approach lamps ·          Front and rear parking aid with Touch-screen visual indicator ·          Rear spoiler

 Interior Features                                                                                                                                      

·          Dual zone automatic climate control ·          Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror ·          Auxiliary power socket (centre console) ·          Twin cup holders ·          Front electric windows with one touch open/close and anti-trap ·          Trip computer with message centre ·          Jaguar Smart Key SystemTM with Keyless start

·          Front ashtray and lighter ·          Phosphor blue halo illumination and interior mood lighting ·          Clock in Touch-screen ·          Memory function for driver’s and passenger seat, exterior mirrors            and steering column

Main Features of XKR-S

·          Jaguar High Performance Braking System with Red calipers ·          Revised springs, revised dampers and forged and fully machined            front knuckle ·          Uprated Active Differential ·          Uprated Adaptive Dynamics ·          10mm ride height reduction ·          Performance Active Exhaust with quad tailpipes ·          Unique front bumper with twin nacelles, broad vertical side intakes            and carbon fibre splitter

·          Extended side sills ·          Rear apron featuring carbon fibre diffuser ·          Unique rear wing with carbon fibre inlay ·          Performance seats with carbon and soft grain leather (16/16 way) ·          Bright stainless steel pedals ·          XKR-S tread plates

 Multimedia                                                                                                                            Optional Features – retail prices include VAT

·          Front Media Interface with AUX socket, USB and iPod connectivity ·          Windows Media Audio (WMA) and MP3 compatibility ·          Bluetooth® telephone connectivity ·          Navigation system with DVD mapping ·          7 inch colour Touch-screen display

·          Tyre pressure monitoring system - £410 ·          DAB - £360