2008 Jaguar XK-Series XKR

In 2007, Jaguar did a full redesign of its XK-Series that incorporated a bonded and riveted monocoque aluminum alloy body structure and body panels. The 2008 line receives only minor changes.

The XKR performance model of the XK-Series is available in both coupe and convertible editions. Sharing its siblings' aluminum body structure, it is also lighter and stiffer than its competition, allowing Jaguar engineers to more precisely tune its suspension and ride characteristics. All models come with Jaguarâ??s improved Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS), a two-stage adaptive damping system that employs sensors to measure the XK's attitude, steering-wheel angle, pitch and yaw, and brake demand, from which it determines and makes independent adjustments to all four shocks almost instantaneously.

A standard two-stage Dynamic Stability Control allows the XK to corner in racecar-like fashion with minimal body sway. In addition, the XKR model offers firmer springs and shocks with less power-steering assist, and thus more road feedback, than its siblings. Braking is powerful with ABS/EBD ventilated disc brakes.

The XKR adds a supercharger to its 4.2-liter V8, producing 420 hp. The only available transmission has received rave reviews. This six-speed sequential shift ZF automatic comes with extremely quick paddle shifters (400 milliseconds between shifts) that blip the throttle before downshifting and upshifts close to the 6,000-rpm redline. Three distinct driving modes are selectable - Drive Automatic, Adaptive Automatic, and Sequential Manual - for immediate response beyond anything your wrist could perform.

In the XKR coupe, 0-60 flashes by 4.9 seconds, while the convertible does it in 5 seconds flat. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.