2012 Jaguar XKR-S

• The XKR-S Convertible is the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT Jaguar has ever built.

• Supercharged AJ-V8 GENIII petrol engine produces 550PS (405kW) and 502lb/ft (680Nm) but just 292g/km of CO2.

• Top speed 186mph (300km/h) and 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds).

• Performance Active exhaust enables higher power and torque and gives the XKR-S its own distinctive soundtrack.

• Lightweight aluminium architecture provides high torsional rigidity, making the XKR-S Convertible the stiffest car in its class.

• Revised front and rear suspension means increased agility, precision and control without sacrificing comfort.

• Uprated Adaptive Dynamics system allows the enthusiastic driver to safely exploit the exhilarating handling.

• Styling changes informed by Computational Fluid Dynamics to reduce lift and maximise aerodynamic stability.

• New front bumper design with wider, lower air intake, carbon fibre splitter and twin side nacelles.

• New sills smooth the horizontal airflow and emphasise the 10mm reduction in ride height.

• Unique rear wing with carbon fibre insert and apron ensure balanced aerodynamics front and rear.

• Convertible roof opens and stows in just 18 seconds.

• Flagship interior features 16-way adjustable Performance seats trimmed in carbon leather.

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.

by Jaguar

The Jaguar XJ series began in 1968 and has continued in various forms and Series into modern times. The first 'Mark' was introduced in 1968 and continued until 1992. During this time there were three series, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3. In 1986 Jaguar introduced the Mark II which continued until 2002. During this time there were the XJ40, XJ81, X300, X305, and X308. The Mark III was introduced in 2003.

Sir John William hailed the JX series as 'the finest Jaguar ever.' The 'XJ' designation had been used during the vehicle development as its codename. When the vehicle was introduced, the codename persisted. When introduced it was powered by a six-cylinder engine that came in either 2.8- or 4.2-liter displacement. In 1972 a 5.3-liter V12 unit was introduced with a total of 3,235 examples being produced its introductory year. From 1968 through 1973, Jaguar produced 82,126 examples of the XJ Series I.

The Jaguar XJ Series II, commonly known as the Series II, was introduced in 1973. It brought mild aesthetic improvements over the prior years. One of the more visual indications of a Series II from a Series I was the smaller front grille. A 3.4-liter engine became available in 1975. In total, 91,227 examples of the Series II were produced with 14,226 being outfitted with the 12-cylinder engine. 8378 examples were of the two-door XJ Coupes which were produced from 1975 through 1978.

The Series II vehicles had a reputation for pool build quality which was partly due to outsourced components. The XJC versions were plagued with loud wind noise and water leakage.

A limited number of XJC pillar-less hardtop coupes were produced from 1975 through 1978. These are commonly known as the XJC. Their chassis's were constructed on the short-wheelbase version of the XJ. They came equipped with either the six or twelve-cylinder engine. An extensive amount of labor was required in order to modify the saloon body to create the XJC. The labor-intensive process and high sticker price was part of the reason only 8378 examples were produced.

In 1979 Jaguar unveiled the Series 3 which remained in production until 1992. The famous design studio, Pininfarina, had been tasked with incorporating design enhancements for the long-wheelbase version. The results were stunning.

The Series III was powered by six- and 12-cylinder engines. In the six-cylinder form, the owner could select either the 3.4-liter or 4.2-liter unit. The V12 unit had 5.3-liters in displacement size. The larger six-cylinder engine and the 12-cylinder unit both utilized Bosch fuel injection. The smaller six used carburetors and now offered for sale in the US.

In total, there were 132,952 examples of the Series III produced. A small percentage of those, 10,500, were equipped with the 12-cylinder engine. In 1987 Jaguar ceased production of the Series III XJ with the six-cylinder engines. The Series III with the 12-cylinder power-plant continued until 1992.

The Series III brought with its cruise control and a sunroof as optional equipment. The Vanden Plas option was introduced in 1982 and intended for the US market. This designation indicated the top-of-the-line offering for the Jaguar XJ which included the twelve-cylinder engine and many luxury items as standard equipment.

The Project XJ40 had been in development by British Leyland (Jaguar) since the 1970's. Designs by Pininfarina were submitted but ultimately, Jaguar decided to stick with its internal design studio for their newest creation. There were delays with the project which delayed its introduction. These delay's, which included the unforeseen fuel crisis, meant the Jaguar Mark II XJ40 was unveiled to European markets until 1986. Since its design had been started in the 1970's, it brought with it many controversial designs from that era. The square headlights were one of these antiquated features.

Jaguar offered the XJ40 with only six-cylinder units when first introduced. The 12-cylinder unit's were not ready, thus the continuation of the Series III with the V12 until 1992. In 1989 Ford took over Jaguar. Work began on redesigning the engine bay to accommodate the V12. It would take a few more years of development until the V12 was ready.

In 1993 a twelve-cylinder version of the Mark II was ready for sale. By now, the vehicles were known as XJ81. Production would continue until 1994 of these 6.0-liter four-door saloons. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a GM 4L80E four-speed automatic gearbox with overdrive on the fourth gear.

In 1995 the XJ6, code-named X300 Series, was introduced which used styling cues from the popular Series III cars. There were now four individual headlights, reminiscent of the Series III era. The hood was also very similar to the S3. The work of the newly designs and updated X300 Series cars was done by Geoff Lawson, the head designer for Jaguar. Included in this series was the XJ6, Vanden Plas, XJR, and Daimler. Power was from a 4-liter six-cylinder unit or from the 6-liter 12-cylinder unit. The XJR version featured a supercharger on the six-cylinder unit. This was a radical departure from Jaguar's history, as a supercharger had never been used by the Jaguar Company. Turbochargers were almost as rare in the company's long and prestigious history. The XJ220 is one of the few Jaguars, up to this point, to have been outfitted with a turbocharger.

Though the exterior of the car had received attention, the interior received very few updates.

Production of the XJ6 continued into 1997.

The XJ12 and Daimler Double Six as introduced in 1995 and produced until 1996. It was known under the codename X305. Production of the XJ12 was low with only 3400 examples produced. Though they shared many design features as the X300 Series, there was much to distinguish between the two series. V12 badges were placed on each side of the vehicle's pillar.

The X308 was introduced in 1997 and continued until 2002. Included in this series was the XJ7, JXR, Daimler, and Vanden Plas. The X308 Series brought about an all-new dashboard. The most significant improvement was the use of eight-cylinder engines. They were offered in 3.2-liter and 4.0-liter displacement sizes. The XJR included a five-speed automatic transmission and a supercharger on the 4.0-liter unit which greatly improve the vehicle's performance. The base 4.0-liter produced 290 horsepower while the supercharger version increased output to 370.

In 2002, Jaguar introduced the XJR 100 which was a limited 500 special edition versions of the XJR. They were all painted in black with matching black leather interior. Alloy sport wheels, red stitching in the interior, and maple trim were used exclusively on the XJR 100.

The Mark III was introduced in 2002 and brought about an all-new aluminum lightweight body. These were codenamed the X350. Included in this series was the XJ6, XJ8, XJR, Vanden Plas, Super V8, and Daimler Super Eight. Visually, the vehicle had changed little. The biggest improvements were under the hood and throughout the other mechanical components. The chassis and body were constructed mostly from aluminum with small amounts of steel.

The Super V8 made its debut in 2004. This was a long-wheelbase version of the XJ and is considered the most luxurious and powerful of the series. As such, it is also the most expensive. Under the hood was a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 that produced 400 horsepower. A limited-edition, called the Super V8 Portfolio, was introduced at the 2005 New York Auto Show as a 2006 model. It carried a base price of $115,999. Improvements were more power and luxury enhancements. There were only limited colors offered, either Black Cherry or Winter Gold. Zero-to-sixty took just five seconds.

The Mark III, aka X350, was powered by a 4.2-liter V8 that came in natural aspiration or supercharger. The base engine produced 300 horsepower while the supercharger version raised that figure to 400.

by Dan Vaughan