All About Cars

Jaguar’s new supercharged 4.2-litre XKR coupe and convertible models arrive in Australia late next month with the first two months’ Australian allocation already spoken for.

While Jaguar Australia is a bit coy about actual numbers, the company says that already 60 per cent of its 2007 allocation is sold and if a customer placed an order today, the car would be delivered in July.

The XKR coupe is priced at $227,900 and the convertible is $249,900.

Built around an aluminium-monocoque structure that is both light and rigid, the car’s 306kW/560Nm supercharged V8 engine is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The engine’s peak torque arrives at 6250rpm and maximum torque at 4000rpm. Jaguar claims a combined fuel-consumption figure of 12.3litres/100km.

The water-cooled cylinders are arranged in a 90-degree V configuration and the crankshaft is supported by five main bearings.

Each of the two cylinder heads has twin camshafts operating a total of 32 valves and

continuously variable valve timing helps deliver a wide spread of torque.

To help lower emissions, the engine uses an electronic return-less fuel system and a three-way catalyst exhaust system.

Twin air inlets and variable inlet camshaft timing is used for the first time on the XKR and continuous as-required adjustment of the timing of the inlet camshaft on both banks of the V8 delivers significant improvements in torque, particularly at lower revs.

The XKR’s styling persona is dominated by a new-look front bumper, bonnet louvres, aluminium-finish grilles and side power vents.

The cars ride on 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels designs and a quad-exhaust system makes a strong statement from behind.

The coupe can sprint to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds (the convertible is a tad slower) and top speed is an electronically limited 250km/h.

At 1665kg, the coupe is 70kg lighter than its predecessor and the 1715kg convertible is 100kg lighter than the previous convertible XKR.

The new engine produces more power and more torque that the previous model and this combined with a significantly stiffer and lighter aluminium monocoque body structure, means a significant boost in the power-to-weight ratio of 12 per cent and a 7.7 per cent improvement in the torque-to-weight ratio.

To achieve the equivalent improvements in power- and torque-to-weight in the outgoing XKR would have required nearly 37kM more.

For the new models, the spring ratings have been modified and new dampers and a recalibrated computer-active technology suspension system combined to improve ride and handling.

Interior tweaks include unique aluminium ‘weave’ design for the fascia (other veneers such as polished burr walnut are available at no extra cost) and sports seats.