Between the 1940s and the 1960s, Sir William Lyon's Jaguar auto company created machines capable of beating Ferrari, Porsche and other major sports cars of the era. Leading the pack was the XK model which served as the centerpiece to the Jaguar monarchy. This leadership began in 1948 with the XK120 Roadster. The pinnacle of the XK's reign was reached in 1961 with the E-Type, also called the XKE. The E-Type Jaguars became the style-icon beauties of the decade, and the model continues to assert itself as a benchmark for luxury sports cars to this day.
Since the time of its genesis, the creators of the original XKE have struggled to recapture the same performance sensation. Judging from some of the past mid-luxury Jaguar sedans, it appears that recent years have led the mighty cat astray.
In 2006, Jaguar overhauled their premier XK sports car, an undertaking which produced an acclaimed modern masterpiece. However, with only 300 bhp in its paws there was definitely room for improvement.
Finally, nearly 60 years after it was first introduced, Jaguar has released its brand new 2007 XKR model. With such a fixation on the fine art of performance, it’s no wonder this new Jag is anything but a pussycat.
the luxury ride
The Jaguar XKR excels as a fine, traditional British gentleman's sports car. Jaguar engineers and designers placed an immeasurable amount of emphasis on high luxury inside the XKR's posh interior. Step into the cabin, and you'll find standard 10-way, power-adjustable seats in available soft-grain leather -- embellishment for your rear. Jaguar gives quite a range of choice when it comes to interior trim to best accent individual tastes in sport and luxury. If you crave a modern look, you can take the XKR's aluminum trim package, but if you want a more classic and luxurious feel to go along with your British-born beast, you can opt for a high-gloss Burl Walnut or satin-finished Poplar wood trim at no extra charge.Proving to be more than just a good looking, premium performance car, Jaguar has included several high-tech amenities such as the Jaguar Smart Key System, Adaptive Cruise Control radar, Reverse Park Control, and Rain-Sensing Wipers to aid in the remedial work of driving. Also, your hands can remain firmly planted on the heated steering wheel thanks to the racing-inspired, 6-speed manual shifter paddles. And just in case the Jags' quad-pipe exhaust isn’t loud enough, an optional 8-speaker sound system from Alpine® Premium Sound with a 6-disk CD player will help the big cat roar.
While the XKR is full of creature comforts, the reality is that if you wanted luxury alone you would have snatched up a basic XK Coupe, but you’re obviously after a bit more.
The Jaguar brand was bred on the 1950s racing circuits where speed was king. Satisfying a long-standing hunger, the Jaguar XKR clearly represents that racing, predator power. By improving the 4.2 liter 32-valve V8 in the XK model, this XKR beast pounces with 420 bhp thanks to an Eaton supercharger. With 30 bhp more than its predecessor, the XKR will make a 0-60 mph run in just 4.9 seconds, making this model the fastest accelerating XK production car -- ever.
At any speed, electronic aid from Jaguar's Computer Active Technology System (cleverly known as CATS) will automatically adjust the shock absorber settings to accommodate the best possible ride and handling. And handling is just what you’ll need atop the optional 20-inch Senta wheels.
Fundamentally, the Jaguar XKR upholds the automaker's image of a luxury automobile that can proudly brandish the Union Jack. Unmistakable to the eye are the classic, long, sweeping lines of the elongated front bonnet taken straight from the original E-type, now featured on the modern sport coupe. The XKR’s feline prowess is uncanny, as power and elegance blend together seamlessly. Jaguars are truly artistic automotive masterpieces -- their design has remained classic throughout the decades, and the 2007 XKR is no exception.
The verdict
The Jaguar XKR portrays the ideal match between luxury and performance. However, some may dispute that the XKR's performance is not quite super car enough due to the engine’s 155 mph electronically-limited maximum speed. Whether you’re seeking a long pleasant drive along a vacant country road or looking to make a grand entrance at a popular night club, the Jaguar XKR behaves with the utmost British class every time.Luxury Score: 44/50
the practical ride
Though both front seat driver and passenger enjoy spacious accommodations with 43 inches of legroom, the near-insulting rear passenger leg space of only 23.7 inches will discourage any adult passengers from wanting to ride in the rear seats for long trips. But really, if you wanted to buy a high-end luxury sports car for its rear-passenger legroom, you may as well have bought a minivan for its time and handling through a slalom course.Even with the added 120 bhp of performance boost over the basic XK model, the fuel mileage remains practically unchanged at 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. These fuel economy numbers also allow the Jag to skate away from gas-guzzling taxes which often take hold of many high-performance cars. The only downside is that the XKR's supercharged engine requires premium unleaded gasoline.
As of late, Jaguar's reputation has been battered on the grounds that overall quality and engineering had slipped after the departures of the company's principles, most notably Sir William Lyons himself. The purchase of Jaguar by the Ford Motor Company has, believe it or not, marked a massive turnaround in vehicle reliability for the British luxury giant. In fact, according to a 2006 JD Power and Associates survey for initial quality, Jaguar ranked fifth out of 40 auto brands credited for minimizing vehicle defects.
The Jaguar XKR's starting price is $86,500 for the coupe and $92,500 for the convertible version. However, the $5,000 set of available 20-inch wheels and the $2,100 luxury package may drive you closer to six-figures than you would care to be. Regrettably, Jaguar’s don’t reap the resale value
benefits of their luxury car competitors, which could make for a headache if there comes a time when you need to sell your XKR.
The verdict
Although the Jaguar XKR's design retains elements of functional dynamics, it is still very much a luxury sport ride true to its prestige and heritage. Because the XKR is the premium edition in the XK line up, it’s going to set you back about $90,000, competing quite nicely with the more expensive -- and less roomy -- 2007 Audi R8.Practical Score: 41/50
and the total is...
Jaguar definitely has its claws back in the game. While the initial awe inspired by the E-Type Jaguars may never be revived, the XKR represents a 21st century luxury vehicle full of charm that still manages to satisfy longings for old-school engineering. As they say, Jaguars are born to perform and the XKR is no exception. As you sit atop 400-plus bhp, wrapped in supple leather, riding in style, there’s a good chance you’ll be the one purring.85/100
Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.jaguar.com/
http://www.jaguarusa.com/
http://www.jdpower.com/
http://www.caranddriver.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/ - Jaguar XK
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