Jaguar XKR-S convertible revealed
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Jaguar XKR-S
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20th November, 2011
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 405 kW (550PS) and 680 Nm (502 lb/ft) but just 292 g/km of CO2.
- Top speed 300 km/h (186 mph) and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.2 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 10 mm 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 version to provide 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 405 kW (550 PS) and 680 Nm (502 lb/ft) of torque. These figures
represent a power increase of 8 per cent and torque increase of 9 per cent over the Jaguar XKR. Driving
the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox with Active Differential, this propels the XKR-S
Convertible 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds (to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top
speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).
Underpinning this potent performance is a comprehensive package of suspension upgrades which refine
the XK's dynamic abilities still further, making a good connection between the car, the driver and the
road, enhanced still further in this open-topped GT.
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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 make 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 300 km/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 10 mm 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 per cent 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 callipers 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." said 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 per cent more thermodynamically efficient than its
predecessor.
The result is 405 kW and 680 Nm, allowing the XKR-S Convertible to accelerate from a standstill to 100
km/h in 4.4 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h
(186 mph).
Liberating extra power and torque 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 provided 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 1,800 kg 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 make 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 per cent 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 per cent while a bespoke Adaptive Damping programme for the XKR-S maximises body control,
traction and grip.
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Unsprung mass has been reduced by nearly five per cent 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
performance. Huge brake discs - 380 mm front and 376 mm rear - in combination with aluminium callipers
and pad area increases of 44 per cent front and 31 per cent 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." said 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 restraints, 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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