Motor Authority - blog Tag: XKR

Race cars aren't always directly relevant to road cars, but when they're built directly from production vehicles, it's an interesting exploration of what a car, in this case the 2010 Jaguar XKR, is capable of given nearly unlimited money and talent both behind the wheel and in development. The RSR racing team's Jaguar XKR GT2 is a perfect example.

The innovations made in the production 2010 Jaguar XKR have lead directly to a more competitive and capable race car. “The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today,” explained Paul...

Race cars aren't always directly relevant to road cars, but when they're built directly from production vehicles, it's an interesting exploration of what a car, in this case the 2010 Jaguar XKR, is capable of given nearly unlimited money and talent both behind the wheel and in development. The RSR racing team's Jaguar XKR GT2 is a perfect example. The innovations made in the production 2010 Jaguar XKR have lead directly to a more competitive and capable race car. “The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today,” explained Paul Gentilozzi, RSR team owner. “That allows RSR to build a lighter, stronger, stiffer racecar. Also, the basic aerodynamic design of the XKR has a low drag coefficient and more than sufficient downforce.” All GT2-class cars are production based and modified only as allowed by the official ruleset. The RSR Jaguar XKR GT2, for instance, uses almost the entire chassis structure of the production vehicle, plus the production doors, roof and deck lid. Other components had to be modified to accommodate advanced aerodynamics and safety modifications. The bodywork on the car was designed by the same studio that designed the production XKR, by a team headed by Ian Callum. “The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the Jaguar Design Department and the production car,” said Gentilozzi. The engine in the car is a modified version of the Jaguar AJ133 V-8 engine found in the production XKR, XFR, XF, XK and a number of other Jaguar-Land Rover vehicles. Other race-specific upgrades include four-corner Brembo brakes, with the fronts getting 380 mm discs and six-piston calipers, and the rears using 350 mm discs and four-piston calipers. The car will make its racing debut this weekend at the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on September 26. The race is a 10-hour, 1,000-mile endurance contest, scheduled to roll off the start line at 11:15 am EDT. Read More

German tuner Arden has a penchant for taking British cars and tuning them into performance powerhouses, and we've already seen the work it’s engineers have done on Land Rover, Mini, Bentley and Jaguar models. It is this last brand, Jaguar, that the company really specializes in, and while it has previously worked on the Jaguar XK Coupe the company has just released a new tuning package for the 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible.

The package includes a range of performance and styling upgrades - not that the 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 powered XKR was lacking in performance already, or in style. Under the hood, Arden’s engineers have... German tuner Arden has a penchant for taking British cars and tuning them into performance powerhouses, and we've already seen the work it’s engineers have done on Land Rover, Mini, Bentley and Jaguar models. It is this last brand, Jaguar, that the company really specializes in, and while it has previously worked on the Jaguar XK Coupe the company has just released a new tuning package for the 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible. The package includes a range of performance and styling upgrades - not that the 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 powered XKR was lacking in performance already, or in style. Under the hood, Arden’s engineers have managed to liberate some horses from the engine thanks to a new exhaust system. Featuring sport catalysts the new exhaust lifts power by 30 horsepower, bringing the final power output to a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera-toppling 540 horsepower. At the same time the torque figures are pushed up from the standard 461 pound-feet to 498 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel the Arden XKR Convertible to a top speed of 200 mph flat. In terms of styling upgrades, Arden customizes the XKR Convertible with a new chrome grille up front, and modified air intakes. At the rear, a new diffuser houses the custom-installed quad-exhaust pipes from the new exhaust system. At the corners, 21 inch Sportline alloy wheels that also featured on Arden’s previously tuned XKR Coupe can be found. Other upgrades for the Coupe, such as big brakes, a leather sports steering wheel and a lowering system will likely be available for the Convertible as well, although Arden hasn't given any official word to that matter yet.2010 Jaguar XKRArden 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible Read More

The UK's historic Goodwood Festival of Speed has just completed another running of its famous show and hillclimb events, and today Jaguar has released new images of its unique XKR 'Goodwood Special' that made a showing at the event. The car, finished in a custom lime green paint scheme, is described as a one-off to explore the harder side of the XKR's character and allow engineers to explore some performance boundaries. Whether this is an indication of development of the long-rumored ‘XKR-R’ remains to be seen but we can always dream.

Although no details have been released, the Goodwood Special XKR is pegged to have an... The UK's historic Goodwood Festival of Speed has just completed another running of its famous show and hillclimb events, and today Jaguar has released new images of its unique XKR 'Goodwood Special' that made a showing at the event. The car, finished in a custom lime green paint scheme, is described as a one-off to explore the harder side of the XKR's character and allow engineers to explore some performance boundaries. Whether this is an indication of development of the long-rumored ‘XKR-R’ remains to be seen but we can always dream. Although no details have been released, the Goodwood Special XKR is pegged to have an 'unspecified' power upgrade on top of the standard 2010 XKR's 5.0L supercharged V8. That means more than 503hp (375kW) on tap, likely as much as 550hp (410kW) or more. Some things that we do know is that it features a louder exhaust, 21in wheels and a lowered ride height. One lucky attendee got a chance to take a ride up the Goodwood hillclimb with Mike Cross, Jaguar's chief engineer, behind the wheel. Also on show for the past weekend event Goodwood event was the fastest Jaguar ever – the recently unveiled XFR Prototype that made its record-breaking run at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah last November, reaching a stunning top speed of 225.675mph. In keeping with this year's endurance theme, Jaguar's illustrious heritage was also represented in the form of the 1950’s era Le Mans winners – the D-type and the C-type. Jaguar also fielded the unique XJ13 designed for endurance racing in the 1960s but which never competed – yet is still considered by many to be one of the most beautiful racing cars of all time.2010 Jaguar XF-R Official photo leak2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed Jaguar XKR Coupe Read More

Rocketsports Racing (RSR) has revealed the first images of its Jaguar XKR race car, which it will be entering into the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT2 category as well as the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The ALMS will begin its transition later this year to a new global GT class based on current GT2 regulations as the GT1 category passes into racing's record books, and RSR will be there to capitalize with a brand new team and look.

The Michigan-based team will only compete for a partial season in 2009 but will be ready for a full-season championship effort in 2010. RSR will be entering the ALMS with Jaguar as a technical and... Rocketsports Racing (RSR) has revealed the first images of its Jaguar XKR race car, which it will be entering into the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT2 category as well as the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The ALMS will begin its transition later this year to a new global GT class based on current GT2 regulations as the GT1 category passes into racing's record books, and RSR will be there to capitalize with a brand new team and look. The Michigan-based team will only compete for a partial season in 2009 but will be ready for a full-season championship effort in 2010. RSR will be entering the ALMS with Jaguar as a technical and marketing partner, with the British carmaker providing vital engineering, information and support to assist the team in the homologation and construction process. Construction of the Jaguar XKR is nearly complete at the RSR facility, and included a parallel engine development process for the new AJ-133 direct injected 5.0L normally aspirated engine. The company’s plan is to begin testing and development in June and enter the ALMS series shortly after. RSR will be building at least three XKR’s this year and will have cars available for customer use in 2010. The RSR race car is built on the same aluminum chassis as the production XKR, combining stampings, forgings, and extrusions, all fastened by special rivets and high strength adhesives. The engine, meanwhile, needed to be tuned to work with mandated air restrictors and last 24 hours at Le Mans. Incidentally, RSR is the same company that pushed a slightly modified Jaguar XF-R to a top speed of 225mph (363km/h) during a secret high-speed trial at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah late last year.Rocketsports Racing Jaguar XKR ALMS GT2 race car Read More

German tuner Arden has developed a twin-screw supercharger kit for the 2010 Jaguar XKR, which not only boosts top end power but also improves driveability right across the rev range. According to Arden, extensive development and testing has resulted in a "high-end supercharger with a gain of 80hp" (59kW) and an additional 103lb-ft (140Nm) of torque.

The extra power means that in addition to the improved throttle response from the engine, there is also an improvement in the torque curve of the Jaguar XKR - torque low-down in the rev range is greatly improved, which should help in overtaking situations.

To help control that extra power and... German tuner Arden has developed a twin-screw supercharger kit for the 2010 Jaguar XKR, which not only boosts top end power but also improves driveability right across the rev range. According to Arden, extensive development and testing has resulted in a "high-end supercharger with a gain of 80hp" (59kW) and an additional 103lb-ft (140Nm) of torque. The extra power means that in addition to the improved throttle response from the engine, there is also an improvement in the torque curve of the Jaguar XKR - torque low-down in the rev range is greatly improved, which should help in overtaking situations. To help control that extra power and torque, Arden is also offering a limited-slip differential system for the XKR to help give the car greater traction at speed. Arden insists this feature is absolutely necessary for a car with high levels of power - something we'd probably have to agree with there. Arden also claims that its new low-wear LSD will greatly help the XKR improve its cornering speeds and provide better directional stability. The limited-slip differential does not have the unwanted side effects of many other differentials, such as increased understeer or steering wheel snatch. Arden also offers a number of other modifications for the Jaguar XKR through its website, including aerodynamic modifications and custom engine rebuilds. One of the highlights is a custom machined 'leaping Jaguar' bonnet ornament so you can cancel out the good work that Jaguar has done with its Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet system that helps protect pedestrians in the event of a crash.2010 Jaguar XKRArden LSD and twin-screw supercharger for Jaguar's XKR Read More

Jaguar has updated its XK Coupe, Convertible and performance XKR range for the 2010 model year, and will showcase the new lineup at this month’s Detroit Auto Show. With all-new engines, revised styling, a new interior, an advanced lightweight aluminum body structure and a wider range of models, the updated XK range has reached a new level of performance and luxury that should allow it to keep up with its rivals in the upmarket GT segment.

The flagship model of the range is once again the XKR sports model, which for 2010 sports a new supercharged 5.0L AJ-V8 Gen III engine generating 510hp and 461lb-ft of torque. This same unit also... Jaguar has updated its XK Coupe, Convertible and performance XKR range for the 2010 model year, and will showcase the new lineup at this month’s Detroit Auto Show. With all-new engines, revised styling, a new interior, an advanced lightweight aluminum body structure and a wider range of models, the updated XK range has reached a new level of performance and luxury that should allow it to keep up with its rivals in the upmarket GT segment. The flagship model of the range is once again the XKR sports model, which for 2010 sports a new supercharged 5.0L AJ-V8 Gen III engine generating 510hp and 461lb-ft of torque. This same unit also powers the new XF-R performance saloon, which you can read about by clicking here. All models are electronically limited to a maximum speed of 155mph, but the 0-60mph sprint for the XKR Coupe is reduced from 4.9 to 4.6 seconds. Despite the extra displacement and performance, fuel-economy is comparable to the previous generation of XKR and carbon-emissions are actually 1% better than the older 4.2L mill. Jaguar claims the car has an average consumption of 23mpg and a CO2 rating of 292g/km – 16 and 17% better, respectively, than the equivalent figures for the BMW M6. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via an updated six-speed ZF 6HP28 transmission, controlled with either steering wheel-mounted paddles or full automatic mode via the JaguarDrive Selector. The transmission is also paired with an advanced electronic differential on the XKR model. Visual changes to the car include a new front bumper design, new LED rear lights and a new lower rear bumper spoiler. Other details include chrome-detailed inserts and further chrome detailing to the upper mesh grille, plus a subtle rear spoiler. Also new are the 19in wheels, which sport a 10-fan-spoke Artura design. These are joined by optional 20in wheels, which come in two different designs. Inside, there is 10-way seat adjustment for both driver and passenger seats, with heating and memory functions as standard and a unique "R" seat style. Upgrade to the optional R Performance interior, and the car is fitted with 16-way adjustable seats with heating and memory functions, and adjustable side bolsters. The door casings are even more luxuriously crafted than before, with saddle-stitched lines and a new interlayer to give a softer touch to the top shoulder of the casing. The leather door pulls also introduce twin-needle stitching and a soft-feel interlayer. In each door, the modified seat switch pack now includes single-piece chrome 'highlight' switches. A touchscreen central monitor provides access and control for the Climate Control and Audio systems, for the Satellite Navigation System, for Bluetooth mobile connectivity and for Jaguar's Portable Audio Interface – which are all standard equipment. The first cars are expected to hit showrooms in the middle of the year.2010 Jaguar XKR2010 Jaguar XKR video Read More