Stuart Schwartzapfel, Team Speed Editor
Post Date: May 6, 2008
Username: Auto Purveyor

In the Team Speed Garage: 2008 Jaguar XKR Portfolio

Base MSRP: $98,700 [includes $665 destination charge]
Engine: Supercharged 4.2L V8
Power: 420 bhp @ 6,000 rpm, 413 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
0-60MPH: 4.9 Seconds
Top Speed: 155 MPH [electronically limited]
Transmission: Six-speed sequential shift transmission with paddles
Drive Type: RWD
Curb Weight: 3,814 lb.
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates [City/Highway]: 15/23
Final Assembly Point: Castle Bromwich, Birmingham

Fast Fact: Of the 541 XKR Portfolio’s that were produced in the 2008 model year, 255 ended up on U.S. Shores.

I defy you to call Jaguar’s XK-series anything other than gorgeous. Mind you, the first generation XK8, with its overly retro styling and utterly cramped interior, was less than inspiring. But chief designer Ian Callum, who had previously penned the Aston Martin DB7 & Vanquish, did a splendid job with the new-for-2006 XK. Compared to other luxury GT cars at or below $100k, like the Mercedes SL-Class and BMW 6-Series, the 2-door Jag stands out with more emotional, sultry design. With the exception of the sexy Maserati GranTurismo [$110,000] and muscular Aston Martin V8 Vantage [$111,300], other comparably priced GT’s just aren’t as inspiring in their design.

I have spent a couple of weekends with the naturally aspirated XK and supercharged XKR, and the exterior styling continues to move me in this lower volume “Portfolio” iteration. As do the wonderfully unadulterated driving dynamics and grumbling exhaust. Still there are the flared fenders, prominent shoulder haunches, pillar-less greenhouse and menacing front end that all fuse together to form a sports car that is both hard edged and handsome. XK’s advanced aluminum construction, quick shifting 6-speed transmission and blown V8 also staid around for the party. Unique exterior styling revisions for the Portfolio include 20-inch polished Cremona five-spoke alloy wheels, polished aluminum side power vents and exclusive Celestial Black paint.

Though power levels remain identical to the base XKR [420 bhp @ 6,000 rpm, 413 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm], Jaguar's Special Vehicles team worked with Alcon to create the largest, most powerful brakes a production Jaguar has ever carried - 400mm/350mm front/rear brake discs with six-piston/four-piston calipers front/rear. A cool touch, crescent-shaped grooves cut into the surface of the discs prevent a build-up of deposits on the brake pads and improve braking performance under extreme use. The massive discs and red calipers look awesome tucked underneath the big 5-spoke alloys.

Things stay classy inside; my test car had engine-spun aluminum veneer, which is standard on the Portfolio [Satin American Walnut veneer is optional]. A new alloy and leather gearshift selector, soft-grab door handles, contrast stitching throughout the cabin, leather-edged mats with a Jaguar logo and Portfolio tread plates on the doorsills complete the effect.

For all you audiophiles, the XKR Portfolio also represents the first production example [the new XF sedan is the second] of Jaguar’s partnership with high-end audio entertainment specialists Bowers & Wilkins. Taking Jaguar's 525W Premium Audio system as a starting point, Bowers & Wilkins crafted a signature speaker system specifically for the XKR's cabin. The high-output, low-distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminum-dome tweeters deliver a concert like experience no matter what you have the volume set to. Crank the chunky volume knob all the way up and sound quality remains crisp and undistorted up until the point you go deaf.

Until next time

The XKR Portfolio package adds $12,000 to XKR’s Base MSRP
•Celestial Black Metallic Paint and Ivory/Charcoal Interior
•Engine-spin Aluminum veneer finish or American walnut veneer finish
•20" x 9.0" polished, 5-spoke alloy Cremona-style BBS front wheels with Dunlop Sportmaxx 255/35ZR20 front tires
•20" x 10.0" polished 5-spoke alloy Cremona-style BBS rear wheels with Dunlop Sportmaxx 285/30ZR20 rear tires
•525-watt Alpine 5.1 Premium Surround Sound Audio System using Dolby Pro Logic II technology and 8 Bowers & Wilkins speakers including 1 subwoofer
•Soft grain leather interior, leather instrument panel, 16-way power seats with adjustable bolsters, contrast stitching on seats, instrument panel, center console, door inners, rear side panels and steering wheel
•Alcon high performance brake system with 15.8" front disc and 13.8" rear disc, red Alcon 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers with R branding
•Alloy gear shift knob, gear selector surround and power side vents
•Portfolio-badged tread plates, embroidered Jaguar w/ leaper on leather-edged floor mats and Instant Mobility System [includes no spare tire/wheel (tire pump and sealer included)]

 

Thank you, this is my critique:

a 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' over Warm charcol leather with poplar wood trim that is nicknamed "The Nightmare" is my pride and joy, a car that has a smooth torque band and especially when the Supercharger kicks in makes the grin slapped on to my face from stop light to another. It doesn't feel sporty and rough like my SLK55 because its smoother , larger seats and a relatively large cabin.

The interior is simple and advanced compared to the older XK series 97-04 and isn't very simple like the BMW 6 series dashboard. The interior refinements and quality is improved as the dashboard is leather and so are the door panels.

The forward alert feature and the alpine sound system has to be one of the best features once you get in, The sub woofer is pretty good for a stock setup and the menu is pretty easy when you get used to it. The forward alert is pretty handy whilst speeding on the motorway as it informs you the distance and alerts the driver if he or she is getting to close to the car in front.

Overall I am pretty impressed with the exterior enhancements done by Jaguars R division it looks very gorgeous and subtle yet sporty. I think the best pair of Sport GT's have to be the following cars: BMW M6, Maserati Gran Turismo, Jaguar XKR and Aston Martin DB9 sports package.

 

Beautiful car. Though I think I prefer the Senta wheels over these. What's the braking distance 60-0 with the larger discs?

 

Me too.

 

Great write-up Stu, thanks so much

 

Great review, Thanks!

 

The new Jag line is pretty cool. The new interiors are unbelievable, the older Jag stuff looks like junk in comparison. This is the same engine as the XF Supercharged, which I think I might want as my new DD. Thanks for the writeup.

 

The car is soo fast, There are times that I release my foot from the gas pedal in the twisting fearing I might hit the pavement.

 

Nice write up, and cool pictures, the snow really sets it off, gives it a 007 look.

 

Yes same engine as in the new mid sized XF, which replaces S-Type for the 2009 model year. I think Jaguar is poised for a positive resurgence in the U.S. in the coming years. By the end of the decade, the company will boast an all new line up consisting of modern, distinctive sports coupes, sedans and convertibles. And with an inflow of cash from Tata, maybe funding will come through for the much rumored F-Type, which would go head to head with the likes of Boxster, Z4, TT, SLK, etc. Jaguar tells me to look to Porsche North American car sales for a rough guide of where Jaguar volume should be moving forward.

Are any of you interested in a review on a supercharged XF sometime soon?

Stuart