LuxuryCarMagazine En Luxury Car Review and News
One can say that the owners of the pricey plus $100,000 sports cars are as interested in the prestige and image of the car, as they are about the handling and performance of it all. It’s a notion that probably explains why, in some Canadian cities, certain vehicles like the BMW M6, the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-Benz SL are considered blockbusters, while the Jaguar XKR is hidden somewhere in the back.
It’s a curious thing either way, because during our test drive, the looks and the comments just kept on rolling. Moreover, our black Jaguar XKR was more popular than the BMW M6 or the Camaro ZL1 that we had previously tested, based on the public reaction. Anyone looking for a car to impress will be pleased with the 2013 Jaguar XKR.
Driving the beast
What about the driving and handling ? You should know that the Jaguar XKR is primarily based on comfort, but the performance is right up there with it. Under the hood is 4.8-litre V8 engine that can produce up to 510-horsepower. The power of the engine is accompagnied by the deep, throaty sound of an American muscle car that can only make you smile the moment your finger presses against the ignition button.
The power available to the driver is just phenomenal, though one should be careful. Use your best judgment when pressing the accelerator, especially when the road is wet, since it’s easy to lose control of the rear. To a degree, this is something we experienced firsthand. Of course, the multitude of controls help to manage the vehicle, and the possibility of veering off the public road is minimal. Still, the power of this car should be respected.
Accelerations are delivered instantly, and are always accompanied by a bestial sound that will make the hair on your arm rise. Reprises and overtaking another car is done in a snap. That said, the power of the 2013 XKR remains easily scalable.
It’s easy to consider the 2013 Jaguar XKR as a big tourist with a big engine, but this is not the case. This is an authentic sports car able to handle those public curves with poise. And by the way, public curves is used to distinguise itself from the curves on a race track.
On the circuit, it doesn’t display the same bite, nor the same flexibility as a Porsche 911 or a BMW M6, though most Jaguar XKRs will never see that checkered flag. The typical buyer of this vehicle wouldn’t exactly purchase it as a hobby car.
What the buyer does want, however, is a driving behaviour that’s both comfortable and soothing. On this level, the Jaguar XKR does not disappoint. The quietness inside is divine while the suspension, although it can be tough on a deteriorating road, still manages to filter out the majority of the road imperfections. In this car segment, the XKR, with the Mercedes-Benz SL, tops the list in terms of driving comfort.
The interior of the 2013 Jaguar XKR is very welcoming, assuming you’ve reserved the two rear seats for extra luggage. In fact, once the seats are pushed as far back as they can go, they basically lean on the rear seats, leaving no space for the legs. One can of course move the front seats forward, but the front passenger will have their knees leaning against the dashboard. All this to say, the Jaguar XKR is a strict 2-seater.
This 2-seater also happens to have one of the most interesting cargo spaces in its category. The coupe version of the XKR offers 330 litres of trunk space. This is more than any other car in the segment of sports coupes, especially as the configuration of the trunk was created for optimal space. We even allowed ourselves a short trip to Costco in our Jaguar XKR!
In terms of the dashboard, it’s obvious that the Jaguar XKR is made of quality and flexible materials. Chrome, leather and woodwork (or aluminum if you prefer), intertwine to create an environment that combines luxury and vigor. The start button begins to pulse the moment you sit in the car, and once having yielded to the temptation of the car’s beastly growl, the JaguarDrive is ready to receive the commands.
The multimedia system oddly resembles the one found in Land Rover vehicles, along with other Jaguar vehicles that use the same interface. When one finds themselves in front of the many options and menus of the multimedia system, both complex and counterintuitive, don’t expect any miracles. Also, keep in mind that the BMW M6 and the Mercedes-Benz SL are no better in this regard.
If you’re purchasing a vehicle worth over $100,000, you should expect to spend a good amount of time brushing up on the owner’s manual.
Conclusion
We loved the 2013 Jaguar XKR. It’s more comfortable than the BMW 6 Series and the Porsche 911, more practical than the Mercedes-Benz SL, and more affordable than these three models offering an equal performance. So why are there so few of these vehicles on our roads?
First, the reliability of British vehicles remains a question mark. Although the Germans had their own issues in this respect, the reputation of British vehicles in terms of mechanical problems is well established. Add to that, the resale value of this model will make you cry.
Finally, there is a lack of prestige. For many buyers, the XKR does not have the same presence as a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes-Benz SL. For these consumers, we advise you to drive the XKR for a few hours downtown (in your Canadian city). You may be surprised by the level of attention this beast can garner, especially since, and unlike other cars listed in this evaluation, the 2013 Jaguar XKR doesn’t exactly own the streets.
2013 Jaguar XKR gallery
