Jaguar XKR Convertible car review
Model tested: Jaguar XKR Convertible 4.2 V8 Supercharged
Price as tested: £76,097 (£66,097 – £76.097)
Insurance group as tested: 20
CO2 emissions as tested: 294g/km (Band G, £400)
Range CO2 emissions: 269 - 294g/km
Company car tax %: 35%
EuroNCAP result: N/A
Date tested: June 2008
Road tester: Stuart Milne
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 87%
There are few more beautiful cars than the Jaguar XK, and with the Convertible's roof folded it looks even better. It has been styled by Ian Callum; the designer responsible for the Aston Martin DB9.
Unlike many of its rivals, the lightweight Jaguar XK Convertible shuns the current trend for folding metal roofs for a traditional canvas set up. But that doesn’t mean the big cat has dated technology.
View our slide show of the Jaguar XKR Convertible
Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor
1. Looks
The Ian Callum-designed looks are as sensational as anything from Italy. It has the feline looks which are a Jaguar hallmark, but moves them up a gear to create a genuinely jaw-dropping design. The teardrop-shaped headlamps point inwards to a oval grille with the Jaguar logo at the centre. Its sleek sides raise slightly towards the rear, but with a canvas roof being employed, there's no need for a hunched up back. The rear is reminiscent of the iconic E-Type, with circular elements to the long rear lights and the high-mounted numberplate.
10/10
2. Looks inside
Like the outside, the cabin is nothing short of sensational. It has the ability to make the driver feel special, which is rare in a sub £80,000 car and shames cars costing more than £100,000. The dash layout is simple, with the majority of ancillary controls accessible on or around the colour screen. There's a pleasantly chunky steering wheel, and the seats are pure GT – supportive but wonderfully comfortable. The Jaguar XK is one of few Jaguars to not feature its trademark 'J-gate' gear shift.
10/10
3. Practicality
Although the Jaguar XK Convertible has four seats, the reality is they're unusable for adults, with no legroom if a six footer is sitting up front. But it has a surprisingly large boot, measuring 283 litres; slightly less than the BMW 6 Series but much more than the Mercedes SL. However, boot space is radically reduced when the roof is folded. There's a reasonable amount of space in the front of the cabin, including a reasonable sized box between the seats.
6/10
Video: Watch the Jaguar XKR convertible in action
4. Ride and Handling
The Jaguar XK Convertible is wonderfully controlled at all speeds, with a tight feeling, taut chassis despite feeling slightly less rigid than the coupe version. The extensive use of aluminium means weight is reduced, which improves handling further. On smooth, flowing roads, the XK Convertible is sublime, and is a textbook high speed cruiser, only becoming slightly unsettled over broken roads with the big, wide wheels fitted to our XKR test car.
9/10
5. Performance
There are two engines available in the Jaguar XK Convertible. They're both 4.2-litre V8s, although the faster XKR has a supercharger. The standard 300bhp 4.2 will reach 62mph from rest in six seconds, while the 420bhp supercharged version will cover the same benchmark in five seconds dead. Top speed for both is limited to 155mph. Both models are fitted with a six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles for lightning-quick gearshifts. Overtaking ability in the XKR is devastating, and both models make a wonderful noise under acceleration, not unlike an American muscle car, but are hushed at speed.
10/10
6. Running Costs
Continued demand for the Jaguar XK Convertible means the 4.2 and XKR models will retain 55 and 52 per cent of their value after three years/36,000 miles. Neither models will be cheap to run day-to-day though. Both fall into tax band G, which costs £400 a year with emissions of 269 and 294g/km; while insurance group 20 for both will also prove costly. The car's lightweight construction helps fuel economy, with both models returning average mpg figures in the mid twenties.
6/10
7. Reliability
Jaguar scores well in ownership surveys these days, and the XK Convertible appears to be built impeccably, using high quality materials.
8/10
8. Safety
The Jaguar XK hasn't been put through the EuroNCAP crash test programme, but should perform well in a crash. It has a pop-up bonnet to protect pedestrians from hitting the engine in a crash without spoiling the car's sleek lines. Inside there's a pair of pop-up roll bars and front, and side head and thorax airbags and whiplash-reducing headrests. Traction control and Trac DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution are also standard.
9/10
9. Equipment
As with all Jaguars, the XK convertible is well equipped featuring full leather seats, all-round electrics, cruise control, keyless start, and front and rear parking sensors. In terms of entertainment, buyers get sat-nav, Bluetooth communication, six CD autochanger and a 525 watt Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system.
9/10
10. X-Factor
The Jaguar XK Convertible is an excellent car in almost every respect, but the standout feature is the way it looks. It might have been on sale for a few years, but still looks fresh and turns heads like few others. Unlike some luxury sportscars, the XK gets nothing but smiles and compliments.
10/10
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