Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar Press Release - 6/March/2008

Geneva, Switzerland — The XKR-S coupe is the fastest production XK to date. Powered by Jaguar's acclaimed 4.2-litre V8 supercharged engine, it has been developed for the true Jaguar enthusiast. 

It is faster and more agile than the XKR, taking the Jaguar sports car experience to a new level, whilst retaining the refined, dynamic excellence and crafted luxury that is unique to Jaguar.

Sharing the XKR’s highly advanced lightweight aluminium body architecture, the high performance of the XKR-S is made totally accessible by the enormous reserves of the 4.2-litre all aluminium four-cam supercharged V8’s 420bhp (308kW) and 560Nm of torque.

With recalibrated engine management, the XKR-S reaches an electronically limited top speed of 174mph (280km/h) – 19mph (30km/h) faster than the XKR. This additional performance is made accessible by improved aerodynamics (reduced drag and lift) and unique suspension set-up.

Sharing the XKR’s class-leading six-speed sequential automatic transmission, the XKR-S has exceptional refinement and the option of ultra-fast manual shifts controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts – with shift times measured in milliseconds to make this one of the fastest shifting transmissions in the world.

To match its increased performance, the XKR-S adopts the most powerful brakes on any Jaguar production model, plus extensive changes to its suspension and steering to provide further enhanced ride and handling characteristics without compromising comfort.

The high performance braking system for the XKR-S was developed by Jaguar’s Special Vehicles team in partnership with British competition brake specialist Alcon, which supplies the stopping power for some of the fastest cars in the world, on both road and track. 

The brakes were perfected over thousands of miles of testing on some of Europe’s most demanding roads, and by Jaguar’s engineering team at the Nurburgring in Germany. 

The XKR-S Alcon R Performance braking system features 400mm diameter discs on the front and 350mm discs at the rear. Each disc is radially ventilated for maximum cooling and to resist fade even under the hardest use, and will perfectly match the XKR-S’s increased top speed. 

The friction surfaces of each disc carry a series of crescent-shaped grooves that help clear water from the discs during wet weather and help to keep the brake pads clean at all times. The Alcon R performance brake package uses lightweight monobloc six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston callipers at the rear – each calliper finished in a distinctive red and carrying the R logo.

The XKR-S coupe’s dynamic balance focuses on achieving an even more sporting character while retaining the XKR’s supple ride comfort. Its blend of control and refinement begins with the extremely stiff all-aluminium body structure, and a re-tuning of the XKR’s all-wishbone suspension. 

The XKR-S features new springs, new anti-roll bars and unique dampers. All the major suspension parameters are recalibrated, and the XKR-S uses Jaguar’s proven Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) with unique tuning. It also uses a faster ratio steering rack, for quicker reactions and optimum feel.

The limited edition coupé in Ultimate Black is identified by the unique XKR-S badge on the rear of the car. The exterior of the XKR-S has been subtly enhanced to make it recognisably different without being overstated. 

Another significant element in the revised handling package is that the ride height of the XKR-S has been reduced by 10mm compared with that of the XKR, and the XKR-S sits on unique, lightweight 20-inch Vortex forged alloy wheels with bespoke tyres. 

That naturally makes the XKR-S look lower and even more sporting, but it has a number of other distinguishing details. It features a new front aerodynamic splitter, side sill extensions, revised rear spoiler and rear diffuser panel, with contrasting finishes to details such as the front mesh grille, power vents, sills and rear diffuser panel.

The XKR-S has an Active Exhaust System, which is specifically tuned to ensure quiet, refined high-speed cruising while producing a much more hard-edged and sporting V8 sound under hard acceleration – not over loud, but full of performance character.

While the mechanical specification and the exterior revisions are driven largely by performance and dynamic enhancement, the interior changes reflect Jaguar's vision of the XKR-S as an uncompromisingly luxurious sports car.

The full soft grain leather trim is finished in Charcoal with Ivory twin-needle contrast stitching, with leather wrapping the seats, instrument panel top, centre console, inner door panels and rear side panels. This is complemented by Piano Black veneer, Charcoal Alston luxury headlining, plus a revised instrument cluster - calibrated to accommodate the higher top speed - with XKR-S branding. The contrast-stitched leather trimmed steering wheel, alloy and leather gear selector with alloy surround, bright aluminium pedals, and XKR-S branded head-restraints, tread-plates and carpet mats further set the tone for this very special interior.

Taking Jaguar's 525W Premium Audio system with Pro Logic II surround sound as a starting point, renowned premium British loudspeaker manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins has tuned a signature speaker system specifically for the cabin of the XKR-S. High output, low distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminium-dome tweeters deliver superb mid-range and extended high-frequency responses.

On sale in (European) summer 2008 and limited to just 200 cars in European markets only, the XKR-S is an even more driver-focused sports grand tourer than the XKR.

XKR-S Features:

    * Available in Ultimate Black metallic paint colour with contrasting paint finish to the grille, sills, side power vents and rear splitter and diffuser
    * Revised front splitter and side sill extensions
    * Revised rear spoiler and rear bumper fitted with unique splitter and diffuser panel
    * Vortex 20" forged, 14 spoke lightweight alloy wheels with unique design and red Jaguar "Heritage" centre badge
    * Alcon R Performance braking system with red callipers
    * Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound System
    * Luxury Sport interior theme with Warm Charcoal full soft-grain leather and Ivory twin needle contrast stitching - 16 way electrically adjustable seating with adjustable bolsters
    * Piano Black interior finish to facia and centre console
    * Charcoal Alston headlining
    * Alloy and leather gear lever with alloy selector gate surround
    * Flint carpets with Flint carpet mats, edged in Charcoal leather with Ivory stitching
    * XKR-S badging
    * Unique XKR-S logo to the instrument cluster, tread-plate, front seat head-restraints and carpet mats

Trabsmission, Suspension, Brakes

    * 6-speed electronic automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential ShiftTM
    * Unique dampers and CATSTM (Computer Active Technology Suspension) tuning
    * Trac DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)
    * Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) – drive-away release
    * New steering rack, springs and revised calibrations
    * Reduced ride height (10mm)

Exterior

    * Intelligent Lighting System – automatic headlamps on with windscreen wipers
    * Active Front Lighting (dynamic pivoting headlamps)
    * Bi-Xenon headlamps with integrated cornering lamps, automatic levelling and headlamp washers
    * Bonnet louvres
    * Quad tailpipes with polished finish
    * Front and Rear Park Assist
    * Heated exterior mirrors with electric adjustment, power folding auto-dimming and memory function
    * Heated windscreen with timer and rain sensing windscreen wipers
    * Instant Mobility System (IMS) in lieu of space saver spare wheel

Interior

    * Memory function with 3 settings for driver’s and passenger’s seat, exterior mirrors and steering column
    * Padded leather 3-spoke steering wheel
    * Cruise control with active speed limiter
    * Automatic air recirculation with 5 setting
    * Automatic climate control with humidity control, air particle/odour filtration and dual zone temperature control for driver and front passenger
    * Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror
    * Electric windows with one-touch open/close and anti-trap
    * Glove box with auxiliary power socket
    * Interior mood lighting
    * Jaguar Smart Key SystemTM with keyless start
    * Keyless Entry
    * Alloy pedals

Security

    * Remote control central locking with deadlocks and drive-away locking
    * Intrusion and perimetric alarm with passive sounder and battery back-up
    * Engine immobiliser

Audio and Communications

    * Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound with 525W Jaguar Premium surround sound
    * Navigation system with DVD mapping and 7 inch Touch-screen
    * Bluetooth® telephone connectivity
    * 6-disc in-dash CD changer
    * Windows Media® Audio (WMA) and MP3 disc compatibility
    * iPod and USB connectivity

Safety

    * Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTSTM)
    * Airbags, front and side (driver and front passenger)
    * Belt reminder system (front seats only)
    * Front seat whiplash reduction system
    * Pedestrian Contact Sensing – automatically deployable bonnet system
    * ISOfix anchor points for rear child seat
    * Front and rear seat belt pre-tensioners

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