2010 Jaguar XKR
Revamped XK Even Better
What is it about Jaguar sports cars that makes them so special? Performance is one thing, but styling is equally important. As long as I can remember, Jaguars have had great looks. The post-war XK120 was a show-stopper. The XKE of 1961 was an instant classic. And when the XK8 debuted over a decade ago, it blew away the automotive press. The current XK carries on the tradition of past Jaguars with terrific styling. This is a car that causes you to step back and say “wow” when you first see it.
This latest generation XK was introduced in 2007, and is more muscular in appearance than the car it replaced. For 2010, Jaguar enhanced this look even further, with a more aggressive bumper up front. Sitting at the curb, the XK looks hunkered down and ready to spring.
The interior of the XK has all the classic Jaguar touches—buttery-soft leather seats that can be heated or cooled, more leather on the dash, steering wheels and doors, and of course, burled walnut trim. As a concession to current tastes, aluminum accents can be substituted for the wood. New for 2010 is JaguarDrive, which is a dial-type gear selector that rises from the center console when the engine is started.
Older XKs were tight fitting for tall drivers, but the current model is much better in this regard. The seats have a multitude of adjustments, and the steering wheel telescopes, as well as tilts, so most people should find a comfortable driving position. However, the seat in the rear is only suitable for stowing baggage.
The XK comes in coupe and convertible versions. My test car had the soft top. The top is triple-lined and keeps most road noise out of the cabin at freeway speeds. The top retracts in as little as 18 seconds, and can be operated while the car is moving up to 15 mph.
Jaguar equips the XK with standard luxury features, like parking sensors that warn of nearby obstacles, and a touch-screen system on the dash that controls audio, telephone and navigation systems. However, my favorite was SmartKey, which enables drivers to unlock the doors and start the engine, just by having the key fob on their person. It’s something that you really appreciate when it’s raining.
However, the most important news to report about the 2010 XK concerns the engines. This year Jaguar replaced 4-2-liter V-8s with new 5.0-liter eight cylinder motors. The XK8 gets a naturally aspirated setup that develops 385 horsepower—85 more than last year’s car. The XKR uses a supercharged version of the same engine, and it cranks out 90 more hp for a whooping total of 510 horses. Both are hooked up to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. When I floored the accelerator, the XKR emitted a god-awful roar, and pressed me back in my seat. Jaguar says it can hit 60 in 4.6 seconds. I have no doubt about that—it seemed even quicker. Top speed is 155 mph.
Out on the road, the XKR can serve as a comfortable grand-touring cruiser gobbling up the highway on a weekend jaunt. Its adaptive shock absorbers smooth out all the rough spots on the pavement. However, if you access the new Jaguar Drive Control, and press the “Dynamic” button, the XKR turns into a serious road-hugging sports car. The Dynamic setting quickens the throttle response, hastens shifts and firms up the suspension.
Although the XKR is a substantial car, weighing over 4000 lbs., it feels nimble, especially in the Dynamic mode. The steering is precise and communicative, and the new electronically controlled limited-slip differential adapts to your demands, and maximizes the traction at each rear wheel. The XKR will hustle through a twisty stretch of road like a sports car half its size.
Jaguar XK models start at $83,000. My top-of-the-line XKR convertible had a sticker price of a cool $102,000. That’s a lot of cash, but if it’s any consolation, there is no Gas Guzzler tax. The XKR has a gas mileage rating of 15/City-25/ Highway.
Snapshot Review:
Stunning Looks
Awesome Power
Sharp Sports-Car Handling
