Jaguar XKR-S Convertible 2012

[Touareg 2.5]

Fuori Produzione.

carscoop

Press Release :

The pinnacle of the Jaguar sporting range - the XKR-S - is now joined by a convertible which offers the same enticing blend of abilities, while offering driver and passenger a heightened connection with their surroundings.

The XKR-S Convertible embodies all the characteristics that have always defined legendary Jaguar GTs - explosive performance, involving handling, relaxed comfort and discreet luxury - while taking Jaguar into a new performance echelon. The new XKR-S model line-up sits at the pinnacle of the XK range, which now consists of XK, XKR and XKR-S derivatives in coupe and convertible format.

The XKR-S Convertible takes the raft of performance, dynamics, design and interior upgrades already introduced to much acclaim on its coupe sibling to create Jaguar's fastest ever open-topped GT.

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director, says the new XKR-S Convertible represents the pinnacle of performance and glamour in motoring:

"There is nothing as liberating as life behind the wheel of an open-topped Jaguar and the new XKR-S Convertible takes the Jaguar GT experience to new heights."

The building block for the car's explosive performance is an uprated version of the 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 engine, which produces 550PS (405kW) and 502lb/ft (680Nm) of torque. These figures represent a power increase of 8 percent and torque increase of 9 percent over the Jaguar XKR. Driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox with Active Differential, this propels the XKR-S Convertible to 60mph in 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in

4.4 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 186mph (300km/h).

Underpinning this potent performance is a comprehensive package of suspension upgrades which refine the XK's dynamic abilities still further, creating an intimate connection between the car, the driver and the road, enhanced still further in this open-topped GT.

The lightweight aluminium structure of the XK has huge torsional rigidity, allowing the fitment of suspension components such as a redesigned aluminium front steering knuckle and revised rear geometry, stiffer springs and dampers. Allied to lightweight forged wheels and recalibrated steering settings this has allowed Jaguar's vehicle dynamics experts to create a supremely agile, connected driving experience with no loss in refinement.

Reflecting the car's uprated dynamic abilities are interior and exterior styling changes. Externally the XKR-S Convertible is dramatically differentiated from other XK models with carefully calibrated aerodynamic aids that allow it to perform flawlessly at very high speeds.

This sense of drama is continued inside the car with Jaguar Performance seats that feature increased support for driver and passenger during high-speed cornering. The seats are finished in carbon leather and feature 16-way adjustment and heating while carbon is also used to trim the cabin and emphasise the car's assertive nature.

Design

Extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics, wind tunnel and track work has resulted in the aerodynamic design changes applied to the XKR-S Convertible. These perform an essential function in maintaining stability in an open-topped car capable of speeds as high as 186mph (300km/h).

These aerodynamic design changes give the front of the car a dramatic and bold appearance. Vertical feature lines run down from the edges of the oval air intake into a new bumper design which incorporates a wider, lower air intake, a carbon fibre splitter and twin side nacelles. At the edges of the bumper, vertical panels channel air down the side of the car along new sills, which serve to both smooth the horizontal airflow and emphasise the 10mm reduction in ride height.

A unique rear wing with a carbon fibre inlay works in conjunction with a rear apron featuring a carbon fibre diffuser. The result is a reduction in overall lift of 26 percent and balanced aerodynamics front and rear to keep the car perfectly pinned to the road.

The exterior changes are highlighted by the application of gloss black to the exterior brightwork, complemented by the dark technical finish of the lightweight, forged 20" Vulcan design alloy wheels through which can be seen the Jaguar High Performance Brake calipers finished in either an eye-catching red or discreet gunmetal. The XKR-S Convertible is available in a range of six colours, including Polaris White and British Racing Green, a tribute to Jaguar's competition heritage. The acoustically treated hood opens and stows in just 18 seconds and has been proven at the car's maximum speed. It comes in black as standard with a further six optional colours available.

"Taking the track-oriented ethos of the XKR-S Coupe and applying it to a convertible is very exciting. There is a real spirit and thrill to driving with the roof down and in a car capable of these speeds that is going to be exaggerated to create a very dramatic and special experience."

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars.

Performance

The engineering integrity of the acclaimed AJ-V8 petrol engine, now in its third generation, meant that Jaguar's engineers could derive the extra power and torque needed for the XKR-S. The advanced design of the quad-cam, all-aluminium AJ-V8 incorporates spray-guided direct injection and variable valve timing for great efficiency as well as prodigious power. The Roots-type twin-vortex supercharger nestling in the 'V' of the engine has twin intercoolers and is 20 percent more thermodynamically efficient than its predecessor.

The result is 550PS and 680Nm, allowing the XKR-S Convertible to accelerate from a standstill to 60mph in just 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 186mph (300km/h).

Liberating an extra 40PS and 55Nm over and above the XKR entailed remapping the fuelling characteristics and increasing exhaust gas flow though the use of an active exhaust system.

With the roof lowered on the XKR-S Convertible the Performance Active exhaust system delivers an authentic, race-car inspired soundtrack that has been tuned to provide the driver with a thoroughly exhilarating driving experience.

Dynamics

With the XK model designed as a convertible from the outset, Jaguar's engineers were able to apply the changes that created the XKR-S Coupe into the open-topped GT without compromising performance, agility or refinement.

Jaguar pioneered the use of aluminium in series production cars and it is this metal's low mass and high tensile strength that gives the XKR-S such a breadth of abilities. A kerb weight of 1795kg and torsional rigidity of 16,500

Newton metres per degree provide Jaguar's engineers a solid foundation on which to apply the detail changes that create the company's most involving convertible ever.

Both front and rear suspension systems have been revised. A new aluminium steering knuckle in the front double wishbone suspension increases camber stiffness by 23 percent to provide even greater levels of steering accuracy and feedback. To increase stability and control, the Active Differential has been uprated to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds.

Rear damper top mounts have been stiffened over and above the changes found on the XKR-S Coupe while the rear wheel steer effect has been optimised for agility. Spring rates front and rear have been increased by 28 percent while a bespoke Adaptive Damping programme for the XKR-S maximises body control, traction and grip.

Unsprung mass has been reduced by nearly five percent through the fitment of lightweight, forged alloy wheels, which also offer greater traction and grip levels thanks to wider rear tyres that were specifically developed for use on the XKR-S and serve to increase the size of the tyre contact patch. The XKR-S convertible rides on Pirelli P-Zero tyres (255/35 ZR20 at the front and 295/30 ZR20 at the rear).

In order to allow the enthusiastic driver to enjoy the benefits of these changes, the Dynamic Stability Control system has undergone bespoke changes. In Trac DSC mode, specific traction, stability and Active Differential settings reduce intervention levels and enhance mid-corner adjustability, allowing the exhilarating handling to be safely exploited to the full.

The Jaguar High Performance Braking System fitted as standard is more than a match for the car's seductive performance. Huge brake discs - 380mm front and 376mm rear - in combination with aluminium calipers and pad area increases of 44 percent front and 31 percent rear in comparison to the XK provide confidence inspiring levels of power, stability and feel.

"Because the XK was designed as a convertible it has great structural integrity. This allowed us to apply the XKR-S coupe's sporting suspension settings to create a convertible with no compromises. Its blend of great speed, precision and dynamism is given an extra dimension with the roof down and that thrilling exhaust soundtrack."

Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity

Interior

With the convertible hood stowed away, the interior of the XKR-S will be subject to as many envious glances as the exterior, with both highlighting the car's high performance intent.

Exclusive to the XKR-S models are carbon-leather trimmed versions of Jaguar's Performance seats which feature integrated head rests, racing harness cut-outs and increased side and squab support to hold driver and passenger securely during high speed cornering. The 16-way adjustable, heated seats feature highlights of carbon leather and contrast micropiping unique to the model.

Superb tactile interfaces are provided by the multifunction three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and Jaguar-embossed bright stainless steel pedals. Other premium surfaces include soft-feel paint for the switches and a gloss black centre console. An exclusive dark aluminium finish is available as standard with an optional Piano Black finish also available.

Modificato 15 Giugno 2015 da Touareg 2.5

[Guest -jag-]

Update: video ufficiale della nuova XKR-S Convertible al Nurburgring in una mattina di test

[Regazzoni]

Hanno assegnato a ciascun designer una presa d'aria diversa e poi hanno cercato di unire a forza i vari pezzi?

[Guest -jag-]

Update: secondo video ufficiale

[Cosimo]

cattivissima in nero...

[poliziottesco]

Visto la coupe' celeste lunedi' mattina in autostrada che mostro e che sound! Una british muscle car come lo erano le TVR ...purtroppo con tanti kg e tanti soldini in piu' da spendere, ma in generale un oggetto mostruoso che dovrebbe far gola ai palati arabici.

PS: nnon c'azzecca ma Lunedi' ho visto anche una Chrysler Delta

[superkappa125]

Bella, forse un po' troppo estrema per il genere, ma se lo fa Maserati perché non dovrebbe Jag?

Son curioso di vederla nel verde che hanno messo da poco a listino.

[poliziottesco]

...

Son curioso di vederla nel verde che hanno messo da poco a listino.

Guarda sul configuratore

Build your XK - Exterior

da vedere dal vivo

Sembra stare bene, anche se ci avrei visto un verde petrolio scurissimo come quello di quest'altro mostro

[Guest -jag-]

Bella, forse un po' troppo estrema per il genere, ma se lo fa Maserati perché non dovrebbe Jag?

Son curioso di vederla nel verde che hanno messo da poco a listino.

Il British Racing Green è adesso disponbile.

Modificato 16 Novembre 2011 da -jag-

[poliziottesco]

Primo test su strada (pubblico qui per non aprire un topic apposito)

Jaguar XK 5.0 V8 RS FIRST DRIVE

Test date 14 November 2011 Price as tested £103,000

The Jaguar XKR-S convertible has one of the most stirring V8 exhaust notes going

What is it?

On the face of it, the launch base for the new Jaguar XKR-S convertible - which as the name suggests is the drop-top version of the £98,000 Jaguar XKR-S coupé, by a generous margin its fastest road car - was poorly chosen. Located in rich Californian vineyard country about an hour from the smoke, a couple of miles inland from the coast, it was serviced by roads that were enticing and well surfaced, but which were also policed with 55mph speed signs and fastidiously patrolled by LAPD black and whites. Hardly the ideal place to test a car with a 186mph top speed potential, that packs a 542bhp supercharged V8, can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and get to 100mph in not much more than ten.

What’s it like?

Surprisingly, however, the location worked well, for two odd reasons, which I'll explain. It's because there were really only two new things to be tested in the convertible: the body rigidity and the noise levels...

In all ways, apart from its electrically retractable roof, it is identical to the Jaguar XKR-S coupé we tested back in June: it is essentially an XKR with the power and torque of its supercharged V8 boosted to 542bhp and 502lb ft respectively, it has the same new front bumper and carbonfibre splitter, the same lighter and wider forged alloy wheels, the same carbonfibre rear diffuser and boot spoiler (which cut lift by 26 per cent) and near enough to the same weight.

Its front suspension gets better but slightly heavier front uprights (whose extra stiffness improves steering feel) and its suspension rates are 30 per cent firmer all-round, so it's damper settings are recalibrated to suit. Its slightly heavier knocks are counter balanced by slightly lighter wheels, so it's kerb weight is just about the same as the coupe's 1700 kg - which means its performance is the same, too.

Now then, this vineyard test location, with the slow roads and the ever-present cops, had two important, if off-beat test facilities. One was an extremely lumpy access road, perfect for teasing out flexibility in the convertible body if there was any. The second was a long tunnel, only a few hundred yards from where the body-wracking access road joined the main highway. So, truth to tell, we knew within half a mile what we needed to know - that the body was every bit as rigid as that of a coupé (and I drove one to check) and that the new Jaguar XKR-S convertible has one of the most stirring V8 exhaust notes going, provided you select Dynamic Mode via a switch on the console and let the exhaust butterflies do their thing.

The car's aural performance in that concrete-lined tunnel was the full and complete reason for choosing the convertible at a premium of roughly £7000 over the coupé - and that's before you factor in the enjoyment of open-roads motoring in the balmy weather of California.

Should I buy one?

Yes, if you want the fastest drop-top Jaguar going, can wait until the first half of 2012 to get your hands on your car and are happy to pay around £103,000. But as we said when we tested the coupé, paying nearly £20,000 more than the equivalent and already brilliant Jaguar XKR seems almost wasteful.

Some feel there is a quality of aggression about the XKR-S styling (thankfully not present in its fine driving performance) that is at odds with other XKs. For me, the best for performance-versus-value is still the normally aspirated XK - and I happen to know there are company insiders who agree. But if Ferrari chasing is your thing and you've got to own a Jag, the XKR-S roadster is the daddy.

Steve Cropley

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

Price: Circa £103,000; Top speed: 186 mph; 0-62mph: 4.4sec; Economy: 23mpg combined; CO2: 292g/km; Kerb weight: 1750kg; Engine: Longitudinal V8, supercharged, 5000cc; Power: 542bhp at 6500rpm; Torque: 502lb ft at 3500rpm; Gearbox: Six-speed automatic