Stunning Jaguar XKR!!!

The 2009 Jaguar XKR handles comfortably, yet is sporty enough for spirited drives.

Model Overview

The Jaguar XKR is a performance-tuned variant of theJaguar XK, a super luxury sports carthat stands out for its comfortable handling dynamics, luxurious accommodations and long list of standard safety equipment.

"The 2009 Jaguar XK takes a balanced approach to luxury and performance, and the results are impressive," writesEdmonds. "Although it's certainly not perfect, luxury-coupe and convertible shoppers will want to give it serious consideration." For a luxurious touring car, the XKR is one hell of a deal.

The 2009 XKR features a 420-horsepower supercharged V8 engine and is available in two body styles: coupe and convertible.

• "A few external design tweaks move the beautiful XKR from superstar status up toward supercar territory." -- Road and Track
• "Those who like a bit of beast mixed in with their beauty will find the 2009 Jaguar XKR's added muscle a perfect complement to the car's stunning...-- Kelley Blue Book
• "The Jaguar XK is an absolutely gorgeous sports car that will appeal broadly to successful men and women looking for the latest in sleek affordability. We are...-- New Car Test Drive

The Bottom Line

Tuned more for comfort than sports performance, the XKR makes a great choice for those in the market for a relatively affordable super luxury grand tourer.

Performance Features

Test drivers find that the Jaguar XKR is a superb performer, but tuned more for grand touring than all-out sports performance.

The XKR features a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 413 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. A six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift steering wheel mounted paddle shifting is standard. Jaguar Sequential Shift allows for drivers to choose between "Drive" and "Sport" transmission modes. According to Jaguar, the XKR has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with the coupe and 5.0 seconds with the convertible. The EPAreports that it nets a city/highway fuel economy of 15/23 mpg.

The rear-wheel drive XKR features a Bosch Servotronic 2 power-assisted, speed sensitive, variable-ration rack and pinion steering system. Also standard is Jaguar's Computer Active Technology Suspension (eCATS), which automatically and continually adjusts the XKR's shock absorber settings to maintain optimum balance.

Stopping the XKR is a performance braking system with an Anti-lock Braking System, passive brake booster, hydraulic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Jaguar's Trac Dynamic Stability Control with traction control improve directional stability during hard cornering and adverse driving conditions.

• "Tap the starter button and the potent V8 springs to life with the throaty rumble of 420 horses. It's matched with a paddle-shifted six-speed sequential automatic and...-- Kelley Blue Book
• "Standard steering wheel paddles are easy to use and provide even faster gear changes." -- Consumer Guide
• "Its Computer Active Technology Suspension adjusts shock valving individually based on the car's pitch/yaw rates and steering input, and the spring rates themselves are 38 percent stiffer...-- Road and Track
• "Sent through corners, both the standard XK and the XKR display the advantages of aluminum construction, as both versions of the car feel more agile and precise...-- Edmunds
• The XKR "[d]eftly transitions from luxury cruiser to back-road villain when called upon. Feels light and agile." -- Car and Driver
• "The ride is more compliant that most sports cars -- though acceleration is beyond brisk, the XKR emphasizes civility over outright racetrack-style handling. That said, it's very...-- Orlando Sentinel