Still, it’s quite clear to the driver that percolating beneath the aluminum skin is something really quite sinister, something with a light trigger pull that’s begging to be fired.
Pulling out the Tommy
Dipping into the throttle produces a staccato exhaust blast that erupts into a crackling “Tommy gun” when the right foot sinks and the supercharged mill rises-up in rapid search of a redline. For performance buffs, this unearthly bedlam is pure exhilaration, especially when the XKR’s roof is retracted and every nuance of the rapid fire cacophony can be appreciated.
Okay, so that may sound like a bit of artistic licence, and it could be. Simply put though, the XKR delivers a stunning exhaust note that alone almost justifies its big ask of $114,000. Of course, for that kind of money the XKR better be able to walk the talk.
Outrageous performance combined with athletic handling
And walk the talk it does, quite mercilessly I might add. The ability of this car to accelerate from any speed is downright outrageous, if not alarming; there simply isn’t any power-deficit scenario imaginable.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in taming the power is preventing the massive Dunlop 285/30ZR20 rear rubber from breaking free and initiating censorship imposed by the Jag’s hyperactive traction control system.
Despite the electronically applied limitations, which for the most part can be deactivated, the XKR is a tremendously exciting yet totally pleasurable vehicle to drive. It harbors unearthly power and outstanding handling qualities beneath a veneer of genteel British diplomacy.
photo:Rob Rothwell
Pulling out the Tommy
Dipping into the throttle produces a staccato exhaust blast that erupts into a crackling “Tommy gun” when the right foot sinks and the supercharged mill rises-up in rapid search of a redline. For performance buffs, this unearthly bedlam is pure exhilaration, especially when the XKR’s roof is retracted and every nuance of the rapid fire cacophony can be appreciated.
Okay, so that may sound like a bit of artistic licence, and it could be. Simply put though, the XKR delivers a stunning exhaust note that alone almost justifies its big ask of $114,000. Of course, for that kind of money the XKR better be able to walk the talk.
 |
| Simply put though, the XKR delivers a stunning exhaust note that alone almost justifies its big ask of $114,000. |
Outrageous performance combined with athletic handling
And walk the talk it does, quite mercilessly I might add. The ability of this car to accelerate from any speed is downright outrageous, if not alarming; there simply isn’t any power-deficit scenario imaginable.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in taming the power is preventing the massive Dunlop 285/30ZR20 rear rubber from breaking free and initiating censorship imposed by the Jag’s hyperactive traction control system.
Despite the electronically applied limitations, which for the most part can be deactivated, the XKR is a tremendously exciting yet totally pleasurable vehicle to drive. It harbors unearthly power and outstanding handling qualities beneath a veneer of genteel British diplomacy.
photo:Rob Rothwell
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