2004 Jaguar XK-RS Convertible Concept

Racing Truly Improves the Breed

It looks like a Jaguar XKR convertible, but appearances can be deceiving. Its wheels have been upsized to three-piece

Jaguar has transformed the luxury XKR grand touring convertible into a true jaguar. (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

twenty-inch units wrapped in 285/20ZR 20s up front and 325/20ZR 20 performance rubber in the rear, while the front, side and rear sills have been extended. The front grille is now in bright silver trim instead of the typical mesh.

Perhaps the double roll bar and deep rear diffuser will catch the eye of motorsports fanatics? To the average eye, however, this is merely artistic rendering on an already sporting automobile.

Again, although it looks like a sport tuned XKR convertible beneath the black paintjob featuring the automaker's leaping cat logo is a completely different car. Jaguar has transformed the luxury grand touring convertible into a true jaguar, rather than a docile little pussy cat.

What did it take to do that? The displacement of the production 4.2-liter V8 got bumped up to a full 5.0 liters for starters, and as if the larger engine wasn't enough an Eaton supercharger was strapped on. Output grew by a full 150 horsepower to an impressive 550, while

The 550-hp 5.0-liter V8 takes the fast cat from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

torque is an identical 550 lb-ft. To deal with the additional grunt, it's mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox as opposed to the typical Jaguar J-gate automatic.

As expected, the abilities of the XK-RS are extremely impressive, taking just 3.9 seconds to hit 100 km/h, a faster sprint than any current production Jaguar. Despite being an open topped convertible, which are generally less efficient than hardtop coupes at high speed due to drag, Jaguar has stated its maximum velocity is 322 km/h, beating out all current production Jags which are limited to 250 km/h. To haul the XK-RS down from such speeds are heavily upgraded racing brakes both front and rear.