2007 Jaguar XKR

2007 Jaguar XKR - With the arrival of the 2007 XKR, the old saws about Jaguar coupes should come to an end. Although the seductive skin still has the power to draw envious stares, the driving experience is good enough now to better compete with the dynamic excellence of its peers. Consider that the 420-hp XKR’s peers are the 355-hp Porsche 911 Carrera S and the 500-hp BMW M6, and the achievement that is the latest supercharged XKR comes vividly into perspective.

When it’s time to drop the English-gentleman shtick, the Jag gives the driver the freedom of switching off the stability and traction controls. Begin to push the Jag hard, and the wide Dunlop SP Sport Maxx performance tires show off more skidpad grip than an M6 (0.89 g), but at the limit, the XKR’s body moves around more than the M6’s or 911’s. The motions aren’t too distracting, and in less extreme driving the compliance gives the XKR a deft, lively, and nimble feel, a stark contrast to the M6’s supremely confident but almost unnatural chassis that borders on artificial.

At the test track, the supercharged beauty ran to 60 mph in a drama-free 4.5 seconds and turned the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds at 109 mph. Stopping numbers are equally impressive: from 70 mph to a standstill in 163 feet. The Jag posted some remarkable numbers, but for buyers chasing the rush of speed, the 911 and the M6 are quicker and stop sooner. No manual transmission is offered, which will turn off some shoppers, but the six-speed automatic in the XK features rev-matching downshifts, paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Traditional round instruments with green lighting are separated by a multicolored information center that defaults to an analog clock. At speed, the interior is hushed to the tune of 71 dBA at 70 mph, thanks to the dual-mode exhaust that turns down the volume when cruising.

the previous XKR measured the same 51 cubic feet up front as the new version, this latest car feels far more spacious, owing to a narrower and less intrusive transmission tunnel, wider foot wells, a comfortable driving position, and enough headroom for gents without Napoleon complexes. Unfortunately, the scant 24 cubic feet of rear-seat space are the type of English humor that we Americans don’t think is funny.

Differentiating the men from the lads is the XKR’s $86,500 price ($11,000 more than the XK8), but even at that price, the XKR is still nearly $20,000 less than the quicker but in many ways less desirable M6 we tested back in July. Bring a 911 into the conversation, and the XKR seems like less of a deal.