A faster, more focused and exclusive XKR special edition has been launched to celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary.
Badged - wait for it - the XKR 75, the new model will be limited to just (go on, guess...) 75 examples. Which is a shame, because we think the car looks stunning with its new Stratus Grey finish and unique (but optional) body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.
Other visual highlights include red brake callipers to set-off the 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys, while the interior is finished in Charcoal with ivory stitching, a piano black facia and Jet suedecloth headlining.
But there's more to the XKR 75 than a fancy exterior. Jaguar engineers have increased the power and torque of their 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 523hp and 483lb ft respectively, to deliver even greater performance. Top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), but the XKR 75's 0-60mph acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.
The car gets Increased spring and damper rates (front springs 28 per cent stiffer, rear springs 32 per cent stiffer), and new fully-machined aluminium front and revised rear suspension upright for increased camber stiffness (increased by 25 per cent). The Adaptive Dynamics damper control software has been retuned, and ride height reduced by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear. The XKR's computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.
There's also said to be an improved acoustics package for what Jaguar terms a 'semi-active sports exhaust', so we're looking forward to hearing the XKR 75 in action at Goodwood next week.
All this extra driver-focus character has not been achieved at the expense of Jaguar's traditional values of refinement and comfort, says company ride and handling supreme Mike Cross who will be driving the car at the FoS alongside one very lucky PH competition winner (it's not too late too enter!):"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," he reckons.
Production of the XKR 75 will be limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from next month priced from £85,500 OTR. Customer deliveries will commence during October.
If you need longer than that to save up, don't worry as we fully expect many of the 75th anniversary car's upgrades to be available on 'regular' XKRs soon....