Wing Commander Heart of the Jag - Jaguar XKR-S

To think a couple of years ago I embraced the 5.0-liter Bridgend-built, quad-cam, 32-valve direct injection Roots-supercharged V8 Jaguar XKR 175 and reckoned that it was at the top of the food chain of GT’s. It had a potent 510 bhp on tap and silkily shot up to 278 kph with pizzazz if you had the resolve. I was stared and even applauded wherever I went during its test cycle. It was the first Jaguar coupé that finally convinced me that they were worth sleepless nights toiling and dreaming. Then Jaguar decided that special commemorative edition was not special enough anymore, injected even more adrenaline, threw in even more outstanding equipment, and dressed it up appropriately to battle the formidable competition. With a mighty increase of power, 40 bhp and 41 lb-ft more torque, while maintaining an already dangerous thirst for fuel, the new Jaguar XKR-S has become my new favorite 300 kph GT. The power hike was created by using the same drivetrain on the XKR but remapped the ECU with more aggressive algorithms/parameters combined with an active exhaust to liberate the extra power. The velvety smooth and sensationally responsive ZF 6-speed automatic transmission is an excellent example of applying a traditional yet solid and convenient system without compromising outright performance. It can be done without having to spend more for a single or dual clutch system which may be superior for ultimate to-the-limit performance, especially for extended track use, but it would be unnecessary for the suave Jag which moves like a professional dancer with power and total control yet with grace and elegance. The burble of the active exhaust system soothes the soul even on idle, and at full boil rips through the air with its own unique sound compared to the barithone of the 6.2-liter V8 Mercedes-Benz AMG naturally-aspirated engines. The XKR-S takes up from where the excellent XKR leaves off, with a 0.4” (10 mm) forged and fully machined aluminium front knuckles with unique spring and damper settings combined with an upgraded Adaptive Dynamics suspension system for even quicker response during aggressive driving along with heightened compliance during more plebeian daily exercises, this more athletic GT drive astonishingly better under every condition. The XKR-S also uses beautifully crafted lightweight staggered forged 20” alloy wheels and are calibrated steering system, but instead of a mechanical LSD, Jaguar installed an electronic solution that will be familiar to many drivers using vastly more affordable cars, a torque-vectoring rear differential system, which was honestly effective. Only in extreme conditions, which I never achieved, would I have needed it. The fit and finish throughout is exemplary except for, oddly enough, a flimsy rear trunk cover that refused to stay on and exposed most of the empty space. I also would like to see a better central dashboard monitor as well as the center screen within the instrument panel with higher resolutions for appropriately crisper displays with upgraded graphics which would be more consistent with such an elegant and masterful beast. The handsomely crafted front seats were supremely comfortable and supportive, but the rear seats are just there to add ambiance and the smell of more later. As usual, I am a sucker for good infotainment systems and once again Jaguar delivers a knockout punch with 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system which entertained me as much as the car on the move. I am a little disappointed though that at this level of performance that Jaguar chose not to use a Brembo brake system yet I concur that the cast iron and part aluminium monobloc callipers controlling the 14.96” front and 14.8” rear ventilated discs were fade-free and operative but I am confident that the system would succumb to repeated hard use, especially on a race track. But this XKR-S, even how fast it is, is a high speed touring machine and not a circuit car even if it looks like it would be hugely fun on the Nurburgring with all its extra carbon fiber bits and extra aero measures. The XKR-S was definitely the quickest, most agile, fast, heck, the very best Jaguar I have had the privilege to test drive. And I would have it over a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Mercedes-Benz Sl63 AMG, or even a Maserati GranTurismo Sport. They may all be a bit quicker, faster, and more maniacal, but I assure you that having driven all of them, it is the Jaguar charisma that the others lack in their character. Originally posted in C! Magazine December 2012 Edition Author: Kevin Limjoco