Experience the thrill of driving every month with evo magazine, devoted exclusively to the greatest performance cars in the world. If you're passionate about performance cars then evo is your ultimate monthly read.
Jaguar XKR-S
Image 1 of 2
Jaguar’s punchiest attempt thus far to convince us that the XK can be a proper sports car as well as an excellent GT. The rigid aluminium shell provides a decent basis for a stiffer, sharper chassis set-up whilst the 5-litre supercharged V8 is ramped up to the tune of an extra 39bhp and a fruitier, ‘My First NASCAR’ soundtrack.
No wonder Henry Catchpole called it ‘huge fun’ when he used it to tail the Mille Miglia (evo 159). Despite the tighter chassis, the XKR-S still rides remarkably comfortably and, although gearchanges snap through briskly from the steering wheel paddles, you can click it back into D and the Jag swooshes along in total calm. It’s a good all-rounder, which does force some to ask why it wears the hardcore R-S badge. But we like a good debate on eCoTY, and that’s another good reason to bring the Jag along.
Specifications
| Engine | V8, 5000cc, supercharged |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic, RWD |
| Peak power | 542bhp @ 6500rpm |
| Peak torque | 501lb ft @ 2500-5500rpm |