The standard XK is a really impressive car. Launched to universal acclaim last year, the only criticism was that you felt the chassis was well within its comfort zone and could handle plenty more power.
So, the supercharged XKR should be a mouth-watering proposition. The standard car’s 300PS turns into 420PS and the cost rises by £8500, but it turns into a supremely rapid machine.
From the outside, the eagle-eyed will be the only ones to tell the difference between Jaguar’s second quickest car in its history (after only the 1980s XJ220 supercar) and the slightly more humble standard XK. The front spoiler’s different, and there are subtle ‘R’ badges. It’s a shame the styling isn’t a little more striking compared to its sibling, although some executives will prefer the below-the-radar approach that maybe suits Jaguar’s image compared to Porsche or BMW rivals. The same is true on the inside, with R stitching on the seats and steering wheel, but very little else to hint at the extra performance – although, to be fair, the standard XK’s cabin isn’t sparse or cheap.
It doesn’t take long to become drawn to the XKR’s performance. Without trying, the traction control light was flashing before it was even out of the car park – which is a first – while the system itself is pleasantly unobtrusive, just chipping in to do its job when it feels you’ve gone a bit heavy on the right foot (which is frequently as doing so guarantees a large grin).
On the road, driving licence-destroying speeds appear obscenely quickly – the XKR’s performance is sensational and is matched by the brakes, chassis dynamics and steering. But it isn’t cheap to run, even by the standards of £70,000 coupes. An eye-watering 86.6ppm is joined by fuel economy that won’t hit 20mpg either in town or during brisk driving. If the bills aren’t the biggest consideration, however, picking the XKR over a rival Porsche 911 is more understandable and justifiable than ever before.