Jaguar's New XKR: One Fine Ride

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My $96,675 test vehicle was a fully optioned "Lunar Grey" coupe with 20-in. "Senta" alloy wheels ($5,000), adaptive cruise control ($2,200), the luxury package ($2,100), and the premium Alpine-branded sound package ($1,875). This loaded test car adds more than $10,000 to the $86,500 manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Looks Like a Million

Considering how well equipped the XKR is right out of the box, some of these options seem unnecessary. Some notable standard equipment includes adaptive front lighting, keyless entry and keyless start, 10-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, and a multimedia system set into a 7-in. touch screen (includes navigation, Sirius satellite radio prewiring, Bluetooth connectivity and AM/FM/CD). If one were to go easy on the options, the XKR seems a relative bargain vs. the competition. It should be noted, however, that the Cadillac and Mercedes models both boast a folding, retractable hardtop. A feature like this would likely raise XKR's retail price tag.

While pulled over or stopped at traffic lights in Manhattan, people repeatedly mistook the XKR for an Aston Martin. When I was cruising on New York's West Side Highway, one guy even stuck his head out of his car window and screamed, "What is that, about $250,000?" The Jag simply looks more expensive than it actually is.

Design, which I feel is XKR's most endearing quality, is one of latent power fused with elegant lines and aluminum brightwork. The muscular stance, long hood, and beautifully sculpted rear shoulder haunches make the XKR look as if it is just waiting to burst into action. The highly emotional design plays a crucial role in defining the XKR's character. Think of the car's movie-star good looks, sumptuously appointed cabin, and surprisingly supple ride quality as the "beauty." A menacing mesh front grille/fascia, tasteful use of brushed aluminum, ventilated hood, exposed black brake calipers, and grumbling quad-tail exhaust note are the "beast."

Smooths the Road

The sum of this metaphorical equation is a multifaceted GT (grand touring) car that envelops you in luxury while simultaneously offering supercar-like levels of exhilaration off the line, around corners, and in the top end. Whether you're attacking a sun-drenched strip of twisty country road or leisurely cruising down that long stretch of interstate, the XKR just works.

"Our aim when engineering the new XKR was to ensure that the car's characteristics remained in balance despite the significant increase in power over the XK," explains Jaguar's chief engineer, Mike Cross. A good example is the car's ability to soak up road imperfections despite its sport-tuned suspension, rigid structure, and 20-in. wheels.

The six-speed is the fastest shifting automatic transmission I have ever experienced. Steering-wheel-mounted "paddles" offer drivers the ability to shift manually without the hassle of a clutch pedal or the distraction of reaching for a traditional shift lever. If this manual mode doesn't interest you, the XKR can be driven automatically in two other modes—Drive and Sport. When you switch into Sport, the shift patterns become much more aggressive, holding each gear farther into the rpm range.

Combining Old and New

The gearbox software adapts according to driver input and prevailing conditions. For example, it recognizes when the car is negotiating a curve, and holds the gear accordingly. This hill recognition enables the XKR to choose the gear ratios to optimize the ascent or descent.

The new XKR's cabin is quite tasteful and smells of rich leather. Buyers can specify numerous interior color combinations. Charcoal leather with brushed aluminum inserts seems to be the most sporting configuration. The cabin's use of digital and analog controls is well balanced, providing occupants with a sense of old and new world. Doors open and shut like bank vault doors and likely contribute to the XKR's extremely low NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) levels. The 7-in. touch screen allows for easy navigation through the car's multimedia interface.

The interface controls the navigation system and Bluetooth connection, and is more intuitive than BMW's much-criticized iDrive. Unique seats offer more lateral support and added side bolstering. The front headrests, tachometer, steering wheel, and gear selector are adorned with an 'R' badge.

Some Quibbles Inside

My interior issues are limited to the utterly useless back seats and cheap-looking poplar wood that was peeling off my test car's instrument panel. Jaguar also should rethink their tried-and-true J-gate shift pattern as it makes moving the lever into gear somewhat tricky. Another bad note is the archaic whip antenna. For this price, I would like to see a hidden or concealed housing for the antenna.

Unfortunately, my test car's "reverse mirror dip" feature was broken, making it difficult to see the curb while parking. The directional stalk (left) and windshield wiper stalk (right) reek of cheap plastic, which seems below par in this class. And last but not least, the extreme slope of the A-pillars (the structural columns that straddle the windshield) makes it slightly challenging to see while negotiating turns. Visibility, though, is actually quite good from all other vantage points.

Jaguar is a brand that typically appeals to an older audience, but I must be precocious because I found the XKR to offer truly exciting performance, looks that could kill, and a heaping portion of passenger-coddling amenities. It is not the most hard-core sports car you can buy, but it's no slouch either. Many cars that surpass XKR's performance also lack its comfort and refinement. And considering its long list of standard equipment, one year of free scheduled maintenance (BMW is the only other brand that offers this), and base price that is lower than the competition, XKR might be a smart choice for GT car shoppers.

Stuart Schwartzapfel, a certified car freak, writes BusinessWeek.com's Concept of the Week column..