It’s Jaguar’s Platinum Jubilee and the car maker wants to celebrate the birthday in a rather tough fashion. Jaguar Land Rover’s new CEO, Dr. Ralf Speth, initiated the challenge to the Jaguar engineering team to construct an XKR to celebrate Jaguar’s 75th anniversary. The new car will have to deliver the ideal combination of superb performance, fabulous chassis and steering control and grip levels that will exhilarate the spirits of a driving enthusiast to discover the hidden potential of the XKR.
There will be just 75 of these out-of-this-world vehicles produced. Yes, the production of the XKR 75 is limited to just 75 and they will be available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500 OTR. Shipment will commence in October, 2010. The Platinum Jubilee limited edition XKR 75 is sure going to let its owners enjoy the attributes of exclusivity, superiority and thrill with a splash of Jaguar’s great heritage. The making of this XKR 75 seems like the most appropriate way of celebrating the sporting credentials of the XK marquee in the 75th year of the Jaguar name.
Jaguar engineers took up the challenge. They amplified the power and torque of the commended 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 522 bhp and 655 Nm respectively for the XKR 75. The resultant vehicle is sure going to deliver truly exceptional performance. The limited edition model’s top speed has been controlled electronically to be 280km/h. The high performer can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds. The acceleration time has been reduced by 0.2 seconds from the prior 4.6 seconds of the 503 bhp XKR.
The unyielding lightweight aluminium architecture of the XK was taken as base, and then, the increased power of the XKR 75 was matched by a responsive and energetic chassis that handles utterly well, rides remarkably well and stops with surefooted comfort and assurance every time.
The Jaguar XKR 75 flaunts reworked suspension and handling for better accuracy and quickness in addition to the performance developments. The reworked aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side-sill extensions, the rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler offer better balance and a reduction in lift while making sure that the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further enhancing stability and driver control.
The acoustics package for the semi-active sports exhaust has not been left as is. It has been improved too and the XKR 75 produces a pulse-racing growl to match its performance. The XKR 75 is one extraordinary car where the car’s driver-focussed features have not been sacrificed to highlight Jaguar’s traditional values of refinement and comfort. Justice has been done to both characters.
“We conceived the XR 75 as a sports car with a duality of character that makes it perfectly suited to driving across Europe to the Nurburgring, completing some very fast laps, and then driving home again,” said Mike Cross, Chief Engineer Vehicle Integrity.
The XKR 75 has been adorned with a new Stratus Grey finish. Red brake callipers complement the striking 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn. The new car also offers customers the option to apply exclusive body graphics that run from the front bumper to the rear haunches. The interiors have been finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch, piano black finish to fascia and centre console and a Jet suede cloth headlining.
