VIDEO: Is The Jaguar XKR-S The Jag No One Asked For?

While I adore anything with a big 'ol honking V8 pushing over 500 horsepower, this one gets a little bit wormy. That's because it's the Jaguar XKR-S, which made its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

Before you jump down my throat, hear me out.

Oh-kay, so this new XKR-S is the most powerful and fastest mass production sports car the company has ever built. The problem is that probably still isn't good enough. Particularly when you have more evocative firebreathers, like the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and Nissan GT-R. Then there are the little details like with the GT-R and V Coupe you can actually fit four passengers, the V being the roomier in my experiences. The XKR-S is really what we like to call a two plus none.

Additionally, there are the pure specs. For the Jag 60 comes up in 4.2 seconds, where the V will best that at 3.9 and the GT-R has already won the race with times in the low three second area -- depending on who you ask. Although I despise comparing zero to 60 times, that's the only figure for the XKR-S' performance at this point. Don't forget that the V can be had with a proper six-speed manual as well.

Then if you really want to seal the deal here, let's talk pricing. The base price for the Jag is $132,000 which means it doesn't come close to the the CTS-V Coupe or get under the GT-R. So, I guess that would make its closest competitor the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale?

With all of that said,I am left wondering if Jaguar's best just was an ego-built car. You know, just to say they did it.

Am I onto something or am I dead wrong?


According to Jaguar, the new XKR-S is the most powerful and fastest mass production sports car the company has ever built. The hardest-looking version of the XK series gets an uprated supercharged V8 direct-injection engine churning out 550-ponies and 680Nm of torque, good enough to propel the sports coupe from 0 to 60 (96km/h) in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 186mph (300km/h)...