2006 Jaguar XKR New model 4.2 supercharged V8

Summary:

A big step forward for Jaguar

Faults:

Nothing yet as it is only 1 month old!

General Comments:

I am so pleased with my new Jaguar. It is a big change from my old XK8 but feels more modern and fashionable (that's what my kids say). I have had nothing, but great comments by strangers in the street and I thank the lord that I went for this over the 6 series BMW. Also, I believe it truly is the best all rounder at this price.

The acceleration is phenomenal and it seems to have much smoother power delivery than the XK8. My car is graphite silver and I am very pleased so far. No I couldn't stretch to an Aston Martin DB9, but I am truly amazed with what I got for the money - I paid (£67,000). If you want a great car and don't want a Porsche - try this, you won't be disappointed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2007

2001 Jaguar XKR 4.0 supercharged

Summary:

Great fun, but wasted on normal roads

Faults:

Front wheel buckled slightly, resulting in vibrations when driven.

Supercharger unit failed. Repaired by the dealer.

General Comments:

The XKR is a hugely powerful and immense fun on a good, wide road. The power is bordering on insane, as it just never lets up on the acceleration - I lose my nerve before it starts to struggle. Overtaking in high gears can be done comfortably, but if you change down to 2nd or 3rd, the car really shines. It also makes an awesome sound as the V8 angrily makes its way around the rev counter.

Where this shine is lost is the handling of the car. The powered steering feels very odd, and after four years, I have never really grown accustomed to it. You can't think this car through a corner, you have to feel your way, which is not helped by the enormous weight of the car. It weighs in at around two tonnes, so it's not the most agile beast around.

Inside, the story does not improve much. The cockpit does not feel made with the driver in mind. The stalks on the steering column are too far away from the wheel, and there is a huge bank of buttons on the centre console that are all identical, so you have to take your eyes off the road for half an hour to search for the button you want. The plastics are typical Ford and are quite cheap and nasty, as is the ugly dashboard. The seats are very comfortable and can be put in most positions, but there is no room in the rear seats at all, except for luggage.

The radar guided cruise control is fun to use, and there is so much automation the car could almost drive itself home. The stereo system (not standard) is also very good. The Silverstone Edition (silver) also looks fantastic by the way, especially the 20" BBS wheels.

In summary, it has a lot of faults, but you will never tire of the way it marches through the speedometer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th October, 2005

5th Apr 2006, 03:56

A Honda Accord to a Jag? How can you be griping about its handling? used to driving a $20,000 Honda and now driving a Jag that's pushing $70,000? that just doesn't compute.

25th Mar 2009, 09:55

The reviewers comments certainly seem to 'compute' correctly as far as I'm concerned. The Honda Accord is a light and well balanced car with a chassis that's far defter and more capable than the level of power available would require of it. The XKR on the other hand is essentially the XJS platform (bar a few tweaks) meaning that the power it's handling is much higher than originally intended for the chassis. Given that Jaguar intended the XK8/XKR to be a grand tourer and not a hot hatch, it surprises me not that the handling can be a little precarious.

Great review of the XKR.