Jaguar XKR-S

[Will Silk]

Jaguar unleashed the most powerful production cat that the company has ever let loose on public roads today, the all new XKR-S. The numbers are impressive to say the least, 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, 0-100 in just 8.7 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph. At $132,000USD, it won't be in everyone's driveway, but it does go to show that Jaguar is striving to uncork the bottle that Ford had them in regarding the build of such high performace vehicles.

While much of the credit goes to the revised Gen III AJ V8 engine with Roots style blower in terms of power, the aluminum monocoque is touted as being the company's stiffest yet. The new 20" Vulcan rims measure 9 inches wide at the front and 10.5 at the rear, and are alledged to reduce unsprung weight by over 10 pounds.

Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity had this to say of the latest cat from the mid lands, “This car encompasses everything a performance Jaguar should be; as capable, precise and thrilling on a wet Welsh B-road as it is at the Nürburgring. Every response delay has been minimized in order to give the car a more connected feel in the manner in which it steers, handles, stops and goes.”

One thing's for sure, if it goes as good as it looks it'll be a true contender in the top of the line GT market.