If the current work of art that is the Jaguar XKR wasn’t enough, the British marque is expected to reveal the latest advancements to its supercharged XKR coupe at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Most importantly it will now be able to achieve a top speed of around 280km/h, up from 250km/h while also looking the business with noticeable styling changes to enhance the car’s sporty nature.
The 2011 XK range will get two new optional performance and styling packs, appropriately named Speed Pack and Black Pack.
“With 375kW and 625Nm of torque, the XKR has immense reserves of power and acceleration which impress everyone who experience it. The car has always had the potential to reach speeds far beyond its original electronically limited maximum and many of our customers have expressed an interest in a car that can safely be driven faster where conditions permit. The new Speed Pack allows them to release some of that potential and give them control of the fastest Jaguar XK we’ve made to date.” Russ Varney, Chief Programme Engineer, XK Series, said.
The Jaguar expected to make its debut will feature both the optional Speed and Black Packs alongside optional Piano Black veneers on the dashboard and red brake callipers.
The XKR Speed Pack, although perhaps not that necessary for Australian roads, uses a new engine and transmission calibration to raise the topspeed to 280km/h. To keep it stable at those speeds a revised front aerodynamic splitter and larger rear spoiler are employed while the XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control has been reprogrammed to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds.
Apart from the red brake callipers with a Jaguar ‘R’ logo that sit inside 20-inch Kasuga alloy wheels, other aesthetic changes include body-coloured side sills and rear diffuser, and a chrome finish to the window surrounds, upper and lower mesh grilles, side Power Vents and boot lid finisher.
If you go for the Speed Pack models you have a choice of seven exterior colours: Ultimate Black, Polaris White, Salsa Red, Liquid Silver, Lunar Grey, Kyanite Blue and Spectrum Blue.
Of course if you want it all, you can get the speed pack and the new optional Black Pack which gives you new gloss black wheels and exterior detailing. The Black Pack models will only be available in Ultimate Black, Polaris White or Salsa Red and boast eye-catching 20-inch gloss black Kalimnos alloy wheels.
Additional exterior changes such as gloss black finishing for the window surrounds and front grilles plus body coloured front and rear spoilers and boot lid finisher give the car that little bit more.
“While Jaguars are about beauty, they are also about speed and power. With the optional Black Pack you can now add a sense of drama and severity to that performance.” Jaguar’s Design Director, Ian Callum.
The current Jaguar XKR retails for around $255,000.
