The Jaguar XKR was one of Crave's favourite favourite cars of 2008 -- but a new year brings a new version of Jaguar's iconic grand tourer
The Jaguar XKR was one of Crave's favourite cars of 2008 -- which you'll already know if you watched our video review. A new year is well under way, and with it comes a new version of Jaguar's iconic grand tourer.
The new XKR packs all sorts of gizmos, including a 7-inch touchscreen in the centre console, which lets you control the FM and DAB radios, Freeview TV (while parked), climate control, the 525W, eight-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and your iPod settings.
Not enough? How about keyless entry, where the car unlocks its doors as you approach? Or adaptive bi-xenon headlights that point in the direction the car is turning? Ventilated heated and cooled seats? Adaptive cruise control and a Forward Alert system that beeps to warn you when braking is needed due to slow-moving traffic up ahead? We could go on listing gadgets for ages, but our hands are sore from typing. Oh, what's that? It also has a soothing, heated steering wheel? And a cup holder?
The new XKR is faster than the old model, thanks to a new 5-litre V8 engine that cranks out 510bhp and 625Nm of torque -- 23 per cent more than the previous unit. It propels the car from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than the previous car, and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. If that doesn't sound that fast, consider this -- a fairly standard XFR coupe, which uses the same engine, achieved 225.6mph once unrestricted.
The standard XKR can be bought for £72,400, while a drop-top model can be had for £78,400. The slightly less racy XK coupe can be yours for a modest £59,900.