Unfortunately, Jaguar's onboard entertainment and navigation system continues to disappoint. The overall design of the system is just old-world and the delay when a button is pushed (either on the screen or steering wheel) feels like an eternity and is perhaps the most annoying thing on the planet – no joke.
While the Jaguar is a stellar car to pilot, I would not recommend being a rear-seat passenger. Thrown in like an afterthought, the bucket-like seats (note I did not say bucket seats) are not made for anyone, child or adult. This is, essentially a two-seater with a glorified and large purse/briefcase/jacket/picnic basket holder in the back.
Alright, enough about the car's looks (though I could go on for pages and pages; it's that gorgeous). Where the XKR really grabs hold of your attention and keeps it is in the drive. When I mentioned to friends and colleagues that I'd be piloting the big cat, on more than one occasion I heard it referred to as a baby Vantage – and I don't disagree.
Once again, the subtleness of the Jaguar XKR impresses me. Like discovering the Queen of England sports lace thongs under her pastel skirt suits after a large gust of wind blows, the XKR will leave you shocked and breathless when you really hit the throttle. It goes from proper and well-behaved to all out mental in a matter of seconds.
And that would be thanks to a forced-induction 5.0L V8 that pushes out a fantastic 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant will push the Jag from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, and thanks to a more aggressive suspension, the ride is firmer, there's less body roll and the car sits lower to the ground.
Remember that “S” and “Dynamic” mode I mentioned before? Well, that's how you make that gust of wind that blows the Queen's skirt up. You see, the XKR is quite civilized on the road as a daily driver. You'd never suspect it to be as ravenous as it actually is – even though Jaguar dubs the XKR “Jaguar's racing heart.”
It can be docile, smooth and pleasant as you cruise around town. However, should you want to have a little more excitement behind the wheel, all you have to do is click that futuristic knob over once to the right, depress the race-flag “Dynamic” button and off you go, blowin' skirts up all over town.
While the Jaguar is a stellar car to pilot, I would not recommend being a rear-seat passenger. Thrown in like an afterthought, the bucket-like seats (note I did not say bucket seats) are not made for anyone, child or adult. This is, essentially a two-seater with a glorified and large purse/briefcase/jacket/picnic basket holder in the back.
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| The bucket-like seats (note I did not say bucket seats) are not made for anyone, child or adult. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Alright, enough about the car's looks (though I could go on for pages and pages; it's that gorgeous). Where the XKR really grabs hold of your attention and keeps it is in the drive. When I mentioned to friends and colleagues that I'd be piloting the big cat, on more than one occasion I heard it referred to as a baby Vantage – and I don't disagree.
Once again, the subtleness of the Jaguar XKR impresses me. Like discovering the Queen of England sports lace thongs under her pastel skirt suits after a large gust of wind blows, the XKR will leave you shocked and breathless when you really hit the throttle. It goes from proper and well-behaved to all out mental in a matter of seconds.
And that would be thanks to a forced-induction 5.0L V8 that pushes out a fantastic 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant will push the Jag from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, and thanks to a more aggressive suspension, the ride is firmer, there's less body roll and the car sits lower to the ground.
Remember that “S” and “Dynamic” mode I mentioned before? Well, that's how you make that gust of wind that blows the Queen's skirt up. You see, the XKR is quite civilized on the road as a daily driver. You'd never suspect it to be as ravenous as it actually is – even though Jaguar dubs the XKR “Jaguar's racing heart.”
It can be docile, smooth and pleasant as you cruise around town. However, should you want to have a little more excitement behind the wheel, all you have to do is click that futuristic knob over once to the right, depress the race-flag “Dynamic” button and off you go, blowin' skirts up all over town.
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| This engine is a forced-induction 5.0L V8 that pushes out a fantastic 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |