Annual Report: Trial by Fire—and Wind
August 1, 2008
In late November 2007, I was 50 miles north of the Malibu brush fires when ash began to fall like snow on Pacific Coast Highway. Fortunately, the Jaguar XKR convertible’s power-operated soft top closes in less than 20 seconds, and I successfully avoided what could have been an ugly reenactment of Michael Jackson’s ill-fated Pepsi commercial.
Fire and brimstone would not be the only means by which we judged the latest iteration of Jaguar’s top-notch sports car. Our staff preceded its relationship with the XKR drop-top by sampling a similarly airy XK-model. Both convertibles wore a frost blue hue that accentuated the gorgeous curves penned by Jaguar design chief Ian Callum. Although the XK and XKR garnered roughly equal praise for their aggressive stance, stout rear haunches, and sleek profile, the two cars parted ways on the open road—performance figures reflect their feral differences.
With touch-screen navigation, wood trim on the dash and steering wheel, as well as a red engine-start button, the basic XK is an agreeable enough luxury touring car. But because its 4.2-liter V-8 develops only 300 hp, the car suffers against significantly more powerful rivals from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. We arranged a trade-up, and senior correspondent Paul Dean took possession of a supercharged XKR in Phoenix, Ariz., where the car spent its first eight months.
"What a difference an R makes," Dean wrote. "The XKR is the all-boy, oh-boy screamer of the family." As well it should be; with an Eaton blower atop its V-8, the R-model delivers a more formidable 420 hp and 414 ft lbs of torque. The car reaches 60 mph in five seconds—a full second sooner than the base model—and a flapping exhaust note broadcasts the additional horses with unexpected voice.
Jaguar’s R emblem is intended to evoke the brand’s racing heritage, so aside from the engine and exhaust-system enhancements, the XKR features a range of upgrades, including a stiffened suspension, 20-inch wheels, bigger brakes, stylish wire-mesh grille inserts, as well as bicolor R emblems sprinkled on the exterior and interior.
However, not everyone on our staff was convinced the XKR deserved its prominent designation. "Driving the car was undoubtedly enjoyable, but the performance is not what I would expect from Jaguar’s R-range," wrote staffer Tim McGrane. "A lot needs to be done to this car if they expect to keep up with the competition."
Many drivers found fault with the car’s handling, due in large part to its somewhat numb steering. Such criticism came as no surprise, especially considering the XK rides on a highly advanced aluminum structure derived from the stiff and lightweight XJ sedan platform.
Moreover, the XKR arrived from the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham, England, with a few teething issues. "The passenger-side window goes into spasms of rising and lowering on its own will," noted Dean, "rather like those courtyard fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas." He added, "Opening the fuel-filler cap requires three pushes of the release button and a good slap on the side of the head, air-bag lights come on without warning, and the push-button start is a sometimes-hit/mostly miss proposition."
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