Jaguar XKR-S Or SVR

[reddiesel]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205075...

I suppose with hindsight the XKR-S was to the XKR what the SVR was to the V8 R and some would argue that for the premium asked both were answering a question nobody was asking . That said just over £60,000 for the car above which is more or less SVR money . I cant help but look at the XKR-S and think she hasn't aged that well and I think its the bodykit which is largely responsible . The SVR did it so much better .

[jamieduff1981]

Yeah I liked the idea but was never completely sold on the looks of the XKR-S. On the plus side, it has the 6 speed gearbox still. Having owned the 8 speed, it's a fine piece of engineering but it has too many gears between cruising and wanting to have some fun. Having to paddle down through 5-6 gears to get V8 sounds somehow feels a real chore compared to a manual down-shift. The upshot was the 8 speed got left in Drive most of the time. The 6 speed is a slightly slower gearbox but it would probably get into 2nd from cruising gear quicker.

[8bit]

I have the XKR-S ECU software and exhaust on my XKR. It's not *that* much quicker than a standard 5.0 XKR. What I don't have is the suspension upgrades that the XKR-S and XKR 75 got. I can't say if that makes it feel much better than the standard R. Part of me does like the XKR-S look but part also thinks it's perhaps a bit overt. The XFR-S wore the extra bling a lot better IMHO.

For me, the XKR 75 would be the pick - power-wise it sits between the XKR and R-S (so probably largely indistinguishable between either), has the suspension tweaks from the R-S and as based on the pre-facelift 5.0 XKR with some nice wheels, so looks the best. Rarer than the R-S as well.

My wife's XF S Sportbrake has the 8-speed box. In a diesel it's a fine thing - always keeps the engine in the relatively narrow power-band and very efficient. I've driven a few XEs (diesel and petrol) and an F-Type V6S with the same box and for tearing about using the paddles it doesn't feel as natural to use as the six.

[reddiesel]

A bit more about these Bodykits , was there ever a Bodykit that both sat well on any Jaguar and still looked right 10 or 20 years later ? I spend a lot of time browsing these cars as many of us do and I have never seen one " pimped up " in period that has stood the test of time . Some of those TWR Bodykit XJS for example or indeed the XKR-S but show me an early M3 or CSL and its as appealing to the eye now as it was nearly 50 years ago . I wonder if this perception is common and largely down to that pipe and slippers old man image that Jaguar is often burdened with . Bodykits on Jaguars are a bit like finding your grandfather in spandex trousers , who wants to see that ?

[Simpo Two]

reddiesel said:

I wonder if this perception is common and largely down to that pipe and slippers old man image that Jaguar is often burdened with

It is very sad how 'Chairman of the Board' (good) somehow became 'Pipe and slippers' (bad). And so, Jaguar binned their hard-won heritage and now offer a range of cars that look just like everyone else's. And no I won't be buying one. The only Jag I'd consider is an X150. My fantasy garage, however, would have many classic Jags in it.

[reddiesel]

I have been going through these Jaguars with Bodykits as standard fitment and for me the XJ40 XJR is probably as good as it gets . It manages to threaten whilst still staying understated

[8bit]

reddiesel said:

I have been going through these Jaguars with Bodykits as standard fitment and for me the XJ40 XJR is probably as good as it gets . It manages to threaten whilst still staying understated

What was the XJ Coupe special edition (Tom Walkinshaw perhaps?) which had the flared wheel arches? I like that one, personally.