At-A-Glance
- 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.
Introduction
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
1800kg 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.
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