2010 Jaguar XKR
Jaguar XKR - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Jaguar XKR isn't as sporty as competitors, but makes a luxurious touring car.
The XKR is a performance-tuned variant of the Jaguar XK, which ranks well in the super luxury sports car class for its comfortable handling, elegant interior and long list of standard safety equipment. However, it lags behind the competition in terms of sports performance.
For 2010, the XKR gets an all-new 510 horsepower supercharged V8 engine. While the power increase narrows the gap between the XKR and its high-performance competitors, test drivers find that the XKR -- like the XK -- still can't compete with sportier handling rivals like the BMW M6.
However, reviewers find that the Jaguar XKR makes a fabulous grand tourer. Edmunds writes: "The 2010 Jaguar XK boasts substantial performance capabilities that don't come at the cost of luxury or charm. Although it's certainly not perfect, Jag's much-improved XK deserves serious consideration."
The 2010 XKR is available in two body styles: coupe and convertible.
- "A few external design tweaks move the beautiful XKR from superstar status up toward supercar territory." -- Road and Track
- "This is a handsome and elegant coupe that perfectly blends luxury and sportiness. Interior trappings are first-rate, and the ride is supple yet taut. Rear-seat space is a joke, but the rest of the XK is so well executed that it can be forgiven.The XKR is a seriously quick and competent sports coupe." -- Car and Driver
- "The Jaguar XK is an absolutely gorgeous sports car that will appeal broadly to successful men and women looking for the latest in sleek affordability. We are smitten by this beautiful Jag and the way it drives down the road, changing direction like the big cat it's named for, but coddling the adventurers inside like an English nanny." -- New Car Test Drive
- "Price-wise, Jaguar's base XKs slot attractively between comparable versions of the BMW 650i and the Mercedes SL550, while XKRs are cheaper than an M6 or SL63." -- Consumer Guide
The Bottom Line
Tuned more for comfort than sports performance, the XKR makes a great choice for those in the market for a relatively affordable super luxury grand tourer, but not an all-out sports car. Its new 510-horsepower V8 engine, however, edges it closer to the competition.
If you're in the market for a high-performance super luxury sports car that's every bit as capable as it is elegant, test drive the 500-horsepower BMW M6. It's slightly more expensive than the XKR and puts out similar performance figures, but it features superior sports car handling that the XKR just can't match.
If, however, you value luxury touring over high-performance engineering, forgo the M6 and test drive the Maserati GranTurismo instead. It costs a bit more than the XKR and isn't as powerful or quick to accelerate, but is arguably more luxurious, attractive and a certified exotic. In terms of panache, the Maserati trumps both Jag and Bimmer.
Performance Dynamics
Test drivers report that the Jaguar XKR is an exceptional performer, but more of a sporty grand tourer than a track-tuned thoroughbred.
The XKR is equipped with an all-new supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 510 horsepower at 6,000 - 6,500 rpm and 461 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 to 5,500 rpm. A six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift steering wheel mounted paddle shifting is standard. Jaguar Sequential Shift allows for drivers to choose between "Drive" and "Sport" transmission modes. According to Jaguar, the XKR has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The EPA reports that it nets a city/highway fuel economy of 15/22 mpg.
The rear-wheel drive XKR features a Bosch Servotronic 2 power-assisted, speed sensitive, variable-ratio rack and pinion steering system. Also standard is Jaguar's Computer Active Technology Suspension (eCATS), which automatically and continually adjusts the XKR's shock absorber settings to maintain optimum balance.
Stopping the XKR is a performance braking system with passive brake booster, hydraulic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. An Anti-lock Braking System is also standard. What's more, Jaguar's Trac Dynamic Stability Control with traction control improves directional stability during hard cornering and adverse driving conditions.
- "Jaguar claims the XKR coupe does 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, which seems accurate. Acceleration is strong at any speed aided by a quick-acting automatic transmission that doesn't hesitate to downshift for effortless highway passing. Standard steering-wheel paddles are easy to use and provide even faster gear changes." -- Consumer Guide
- "Its Computer Active Technology Suspension adjusts shock valving individually based on the car's pitch/yaw rates and steering input, and the spring rates themselves are 38 percent stiffer in front and 24 percent stiffer in rear than the normally aspirated XK." -- Road and Track
- "Sent through corners, both the standard XK and the XKR display the advantages of aluminum construction, as both versions of the car feel more agile and precise than their predecessors." -- Edmunds
- The XKR "[d]eftly transitions from luxury cruiser to back-road villain when called upon. Feels light and agile." -- Car and Driver
- "The ride is more compliant that most sports cars -- though acceleration is beyond brisk, the XKR emphasizes civility over outright racetrack-style handling. That said, it's very happy to tackle winding back roads, but there are less expensive cars, such as the Dodge Viper and Chevrolet Corvette, that are more at home on racetracks." -- Orlando Sentinel
- "[E]ven on a tight leash, the XKR is a quick, efficient, comfortable cruiser, a Gran Turismo in the truest sense of the term." -- Motor Trend