GENEVA, Switzerland, March 1, 2011 - Making its debut at the
Geneva Motor Show 2011, the XKR-S is the most extreme expression
yet of Jaguar’s passion for building beautiful, fast cars. For the first
time with a series production car, Jaguar gains entry to the exclusive
‘300kph club’ (186mph) thanks to the effortless performance of the
supercharged 5.0-litre AJ-V8 engine. A revised fueling map means the
direct-injection powerplant now produces 550hp* and 502 lb/ft of
torque. Extensive tuning has ensured that power delivery and
performance are seamless, contributing to a 0-60mph time of 4.2
seconds. The active exhaust encourages and rewards the
enthusiastic driver with dramatic, motorsport-inspired aural feedback.
The pinnacle of the XK range builds on experience gathered from the
supercharged XKR and has been developed to extend the
performance parameters of the car. This new sharper-edged
character allows the enthusiastic driver to explore the limits of the
car’s dynamics without losing the refinement for which Jaguar is
famous. The structural rigidity of the lightweight aluminum platform
allowed the suspension to be reworked with bespoke components for
increased stiffness without a commensurate loss of refinement. A
reworked aluminum front suspension knuckle and revised rear
geometry are allied to stiffer springs and dampers, lightweight forged
alloy wheels and recalibrated steering effort provide immediate
response and produce a more connected and agile driving experience.
The performance of the XKR-S is reflected in both its interior and exterior styling, which
feature exclusive new paint colors that reflect Jaguar’s racing heritage. As with competition
Jaguar cars of the past, the exterior of the XKR-S adheres to the principle of form following
function. In addition to the styling changes, the XKR-S was the subject of extensive
Computational Fluid Dynamics development work in order for it to achieve 186mph. The
resultant changes reduce front and rear lift and optimizes lateral aerodynamic stability.
The performance intent of the XKR-S is clear from the moment the driver enters the cabin
thanks to new cosseting Performance seats with prominent shoulder bolsters for close
support during hard cornering. The seats feature 16-way adjustment, with memory and
heating functions. A new three-spoke steering wheel provides the perfect interface between
car and driver.
Styling
• Unique, new front-end design with twin nacelles, side intakes and carbon-fiber air
splitter.
• Extended side sills emphasizing the 10mm lower ride height.
• New rear apron incorporating a carbon-fiber diffuser.
• Unique to the XKR-S is a rear wing with carbon-fiber center section.
Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars, “The styling of this car isn’t about image, it’s about
true performance. Like other iconic Jaguar cars before it, the styling has been driven by
geometry and aerodynamics for genuine design purity.”
The first Jaguar designed entirely under the guidance of Design Director Ian Callum, the XK
has received accolades worldwide for its arresting appearance. Now further styling changes
keep the XKR-S at the forefront of modern sports car design. Slimmer LED headlights, more
compact main air intake and vertical side power vent all contribute to a more purposeful frontend appearance. At the rear of the car, the famous Jaguar ‘Leaper’ now proudly takes its'
place in the center of the decklid.
The XKR-S also required aerodynamic modifications to achieve its 186mph top speed in the
unruffled manner expected of a Jaguar. It has been designed solely with an eye for purity of
line and singularity of purpose. As the XKR-S approaches its top speed, there is a
requirement to channel air cleanly over, around and under the car in order to maintain stability
and ensure balanced downforce front and rear. An overall reduction in lift of 26 percent has
been achieved.
The necessary revisions were made after extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics work,
proven through wind tunnel testing and are unique to this flagship of the XK range. The most
dramatic changes have been applied to the front of the car, radically altering its appearance
and lending it a more assertive look. A new bumper design features near vertical feature lines
running down from the edges of the oval air intake and supporting the new carbon-fiber
splitter and lower spoiler. At the extreme edges of the front fenders, vertical slots channel air
down the sides of the car and along the wider sills for increased high-speed directional
stability.
In order to balance front and rear lift, the XKR-S features a separate rear wing, a first for the
XK range. This addition, with its carbon-fiber center section, works in concert with the
similarly constructed venturi effect structure underneath the rear bumper.
The assertive new appearance of the XKR-S is subtly highlighted by some carefully chosen
details exclusive to this model. Exterior trim is finished in gloss black, complemented by 20-
inch Vulcan lightweight forged alloys in a dark finish.
The XKR-S is available in five paint colors, two of which evoke Jaguar’s competition heritage:
Italian Racing Red and French Racing Blue.
Like the lining of a bespoke suit, the finishing touch is provided by the brake calipers,
available in either red or gunmetal and emblazoned with the ‘Jaguar’ name.
Performance/Powertrain
• Third iteration of the award-winning AJ-V8 all-aluminum powerplant with twin-vortex
Roots-type supercharger.
• Revising the fueling map boosts power and torque to 550 hp* and 502 lb/ft.
• Spray-guided direct injection delivers precisely measured quantities of fuel into the
cylinder heads at over 2000 psi.
• Variable timing system on all four camshafts features actuation rates of more than
150 degrees per second.
Russ Varney, Chief Program Engineer, XK, “With the XKR-S we have exploited the inherent
capabilities of the aluminum architecture to its fullest extent to create a track-capable
performance derivative, extending all cars' attributes and, we expect, eliciting an irresistible
‘smile of satisfaction’ response from the driver.”
Astonishing engines have always formed the strongly beating heart of Jaguar’s road and race
cars from the record-setting straight-six in the XK120 to the smooth V12 that made the XJ12
the fastest four-door in the world when it was launched.
The AJ-V8 joined this illustrious list from the moment the first one was fired into life but in the
XKR-S it is presented in its most potent form to date. Now in its third iteration and with the
addition of supercharging, the all-aluminum four-cam powerplant delivers not only extreme
performance but also improved efficiency thanks to the technologies incorporated into it,
including spray-guided direct injection (SGDI) and dual independent variable cam timing
(DIVCT).
Fuel is delivered directly to the center of the combustion chambers at over 2000 psi by the
centrally-mounted six-hole spray-guided injection system in order to maximize fuel-air mixing
and improve responsiveness, particularly at low speeds. It has also allowed an increase in
compression ratio from 9.1:1 to 9.5:1.
Each of the four camshafts features a variable timing system which is activated by the
positive and negative torques generated by the movement of the intake and exhaust valves
rather than being controlled by oil pressure. This design allows for a smaller, more efficient oil
pump to be fitted, reducing fuel consumption. The VCT units respond up to three times faster
than previously with actuation rates of more than 150 degrees per second at every point in
the RPM range,.
Like the car itself, the AJ-V8 features aluminum architecture with the high pressure die-cast
lightweight block with cast iron liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps. The four-valve
cylinder heads are now constructed using recycled aluminum to reduce the environmental
impact of engine manufacture.
Nestling in the ‘V’ of the cylinders is a Roots-type twin vortex supercharger and two
intercoolers that help provide the XKR-S with such urgent motive power. This sixth-generation
forced induction unit is 20 percent more thermodynamically efficient than its predecessor,
while the intercoolers feature their own water-cooling circuit to reduce the temperature of the
pressurized air to optimize power and efficiency.
Remapping the engine’s fueling characteristics and increasing exhaust gas flow through the
use of an active exhaust system has lifted total output of the 5.0-liter V8 to 550hp* and 502
lb/ft. making it the most powerful Jaguar road engine ever made. This powerplant allows the
XKR-S to hit 60mph in 4.2 seconds and touch the magical 300kph (186mph) barrier with
ease.
The Performance active exhaust system that helps provide such spirited performance also
produces a thrilling motorsport-inspired soundtrack to aurally reward the enthusiastic driver.
Handling
• Incredibly light and rigid body
• New aluminum front knuckle increases stiffness
• Front and rear spring rates increased by 28 per cent
• New 20” Vulcan wheels and Pirelli® PZero® tires reduce unsprung mass by over 10
lbs.
• Rewritten stability control software optimizes the system for performance driving
• Jaguar High Performance Braking System fitted as standard
Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, “This car encompasses everything a
performance Jaguar should be; as capable, precise and thrilling on a wet Welsh B-road as it
is at the Nürburgring. Every response delay has been minimized in order to give the car a
more connected feel in the manner in which it steers, handles, stops and goes.”
Jaguar pioneered the use of aluminum construction for production cars, exploiting the metal’s
low mass and high tensile strength to optimize benefits in terms of performance, agility, fuel
consumption, and emissions.
The aluminum platform underpinning the XK range makes the car light and rigid. This
fundamental strength allowed Jaguar’s Vehicle Integrity team, led by Mike Cross, to develop
the dynamic attributes of the XKR-S to the full, without affecting refinement. Every Jaguar
achieves an unrivalled mix of sporting appeal and luxurious comfort and the XKR-S is the
most driver focused Jaguar ever made.
Taking the solid foundation of the aluminum architecture as a starting point, both front and
rear suspensions have been upgraded. The double wishbone front suspension has been
comprehensively revised with a new aluminum steering knuckle that significantly increases
camber and castor stiffness; to transform the accuracy and weighting of the steering for
greater levels of connection, feedback and precision. The Active Differential Control has been
reprogrammed to reduce steering sensitivity at the very high speeds of which the car is
capable, increasing stability and driver control.
Rear suspension geometry has been revised with rear wheel steer while spring rates have
been increased at both ends of the car by 28 percent. Bespoke software for Jaguar’s
Adaptive Damping has been written for the XKR-S, ensuring both total body control and
maximum traction and grip.
Wheel sizes have been increased with lightweight forged "Vulcan" 20-inch alloys. The wheels
are now nine inches wide at the front and 10.5-inches at the rear for greater precision and
grip. The new wheels wear Pirelli® PZero® tires measuring 255/35 R20 at the front, 295/35
R20 at the rear. This combination has reduced overall unsprung mass by over 10 pounds,
with a commensurate improvement in handling and response.
The Dynamic Stability Control System has been reworked to optimize the benefit of these
wider tires. The "Trac DSC" mode utilizes specific traction, stability and eDiff settings to alter
slip thresholds, differential torque distribution, and intervention levels to allow the experienced
driver to explore the upper limits of the performance and handling envelope.
The end result is a car that captures the essential duality that is a characteristic of every great
Jaguar; capable of transporting the driver to the fabled Nürburgring in total comfort and
hushed silence, deliver a sub-eight minute lap time on the track, and return home with total
ease.
Interior
The cabin of any Jaguar is a special place to spend time. The driver is greeted by the red
Start button pulsing like a heartbeat. When pressed, the engine fires to life with a rich, deep
reverberation. The Jaguar Drive Selector rises from the center console as a point of first
contact, initiating the bond between driver and automobile.
The interior of the XKR-S has been subtly refreshed with a host of new trim materials
including ebony soft-feel paint for the switches and gloss black finish to the center console.
The model will also be exclusively available with a Dark Linear Aluminum finish as an option
to the wood veneers.
A new leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel has also been added along with
Jaguar-embossed stainless steel pedals to provide a beautiful, tactile interface between car
and driver.
Exclusive to the XKR-S are the new Performance front seats with integrated head restraints
and increased lateral support to hold driver and passenger securely and comfortably in place
during the high speed cornering. The 16-way adjustment of the seat is supplemented by
memory and heating functions.
The sense of occasion offered behind the wheel of the XKR-S will be heightened by the new
carbon leather accents covering the seats, featuring contrast micro-piping and stitching
combinations in Reims Blue, Red and Ivory. Duotone combinations of Charcoal with Tan and
Charcoal with Red are also available.
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