ALGARVE, PORTUGAL – Jaguar’s 2012 MY Performance Driving event took place this weekend in and around the fantastic Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, giving us an opportunity to sample Jaguar’s quickest, most performance-focused production model to date – the XKR-S.
What is it and why has Jaguar chosen to take this route?
Looking at the uncharacteristically aggressive visual treatment Jaguar has doled out to its normally graceful XKR, you’d easily be forgiven for thinking that the folks at Coventry-based firm had lost their minds. But the XKR-S is more than just a mean-looking body kit – the revamped nose with its front splitter, revised rear apron and eye-catching rear spoiler, both hewn from carbon-fibre, do contribute to a 26 per cent reduction in aerodynamic lift. Under the skin sits an uprated version of the supercharged 5,0-litre AJ-V8 engine currently found in the firm’s R-badged offerings. An ECU remap, performance active exhaust system and other minor tweaks see the power output climb from 375 to 405 kW and 680 N.m of torque. To make the most of this additional firepower, Jaguar has also uprated the steering, brakes and retuned the suspension to make the XKR-S the quickest and most performance-focused production model since the ill-fated XJ220. But why take this approach?
Speaking with Jaguar’s XK brand manager, James Drake-Lee, it appears that the 2012 MY XKR-S is a sort of statement of performance-based emancipation – where the XK’s performance ceiling was previously limited by its affiliation with Ford/Aston Martin, the carmaker’s union with Indian conglomerate Tata has meant that the risk of treading on the toes of the Gaydon-based firm’s creations is no longer a consideration – Jaguar can, and has, created an XK with no limits…
No limits?
Ok, so there is a limit and it applies to the top speed, which sits at a still-remarkable 300 km/h. It’s fair to assume that with the power on offer, removing the limiter could well see this apex XK hit 200 mp/h (326 km/h), but Jaguar wants to serve up a model who’s specialty lies beyond ballistic straight-line speed – although a 0-100 km/h time of just 4,4 seconds is plenty quick – the proviso set for the XKR-S is that it imparts a sense of duality: an ability to seriously entertain in a track environment whilst being refined enough to make on-road excursions a pleasantry rather than a pain, so does it work?
Track attack
The main track at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is an undulating, technical stretch of macadam comprising nerve-wracking blind rises, foot-flat double apexes and some anchor-stomping hairpins – probably not the sort of place you’d normally reserve to try out a powerful GT – and Jaguar is at pains to point out that while the XKR-S is a fire-breather, it’s still a GT and has no dynamic designs on the likes of the upper-echelon 911s and Ferraris. Still, the XKR-S proved itself to be a handy piece of kit on this demanding circuit. The power is obviously there with the supercharger serving just the sort of plentiful of low-end punch required on a tight circuit. The six-speed automatic transmission responds crisply to both up- and downshifts via the steering wheel mounted paddles and, much to the delight of more aggressive drivers, hangs onto the redline when placed in sports mode. Stick the car into dynamic mode and, in addition to more aggressive throttle mapping and steering inputs, a flap in the exhaust system opens to bring forth a bassy staccato note from the rear pipes intermingled with smile-inducing pops and crackles when lifting off the throttle.
The steering has been noticeably sharpened up, not quite to Porsche levels of clinical responsiveness but accurate and neatly hitting the sweet spot between relaxingly languid and overly-demanding – in fact, the car can catch you out on the first few corners as you unwittingly compensate for the standard model’s more relaxed helm and dial in a bit more lock than you think you’d need.
It feels appreciably more planted than its lesser siblings thanks to the adoption of a revised e-differential and impressive grip served up by the 255/35 front and 295/35 rear rubbers wrapped around the 20-inch Vulcan alloys. There’s also plenty of stopping power courtesy of Jaguar’s High Performance Braking setup, which incorporates ventilated discs measuring 380 mm up front and 375 mm at the rear. Jaguar’s engineers have also reworked the stability control system with a track-orientated setting that only intervenes when things get really hectic – this not only makes the car more ‘chuckable’ but also allows the more capable driver to induce lurid, tyre-smoking power slides without obtrusively engaging the electronic safety net.
On the road
Although the damper rates have been stiffened by 28 per cent to capably rein in lateral movement and the aluminium architecture is taut, the on-road ride is surprisingly supple and the car’s impressive levels of refinement mean that long trips are by no means a chore. The e-differential actually tones down steering sensitivity at high speeds to make the car less taxing on long trips. The cabin is well appointed and not that far-removed from other models in the range – the only stand-out item are 16-way electrically adjustable sports seats with love handle-squashing adjustable bolsters, a smattering of R-S decals and carbon-fibre-effect leather trim inserts.
When and how much?
Jaguar will bring the XKR-S, along with the 2012 MY XK, XFR and XJ Supersport to the South African market by October 2011. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.
