Thursday 31st August 2017

Jaguar XKR-S GT: Spotted

Sure, you could have a GT3 for the same money, but why not be a bit different?

---

Remember the Jaguar XKR-S GT? Understandable if you don't; not only was it launched as the F-Type was imminent - and the world was very excited about that - it was produced in very small numbers and, to the unknowing, just looks like an XKR with a big spoiler whacked on. And it didn't have any more power. So what's the point?

Might look silly, but it's functional...

Thing is, there's so much more to the GT than meets the eye. If you don't know about it then you really should, because it's a rare example of Jaguar being given the opportunity to make a proper track car. And doing a very good job of it. As a result it's considerably cooler than the shouty, OTT F-Type Project 7, able to back up its aesthetic with an incredible 7:40 'ring time and plentiful praise from a Mr C. Harris.

You can read the full spec of the GT here, but essentially the car featured all the upgrades you would look for in a track special: considerable aero improvements, ceramic brakes (Jaguar's first), significantly overhauled suspension and more aggressive tyres. As mentioned in the Harris review of the car a few years back, "I think we did 60 flat-out laps and it felt fresh as a daisy" - it's those kind of changes that were incorporated into the GT. And can you imagine doing that in a regular fast Jag?

Perhaps just as importantly though, it's a bit different. Have you ever seen one before? The BMW M4 GTS is a rare car, with 30 in the UK, but it's three times more common than the Jaguar. A GT3 is a Boxster in terms of rarity against the XKR. When you're spending six figures on a car, sometimes being an interesting alternative can count for a lot - imagine rolling into a track day paddock in this! And imagine rolling back in after a day of fast lapping, the car happily having dealt with everything, to drive home comfortably in a big Jag. Sounds very pleasant.

This GT is one of the 10 UK cars - and one of just 40 globally, don't forget - and said to be the only right-hand drive car in black. It has been used since 2014 but sparingly, showing just 4,000 miles, and is still covered by a few months of warranty. It's for sale at £150,000 (the PH ad says POA, but if you check eBay...)

Like a Jag, but racier

Now you don't need us to tell you that £150K opens up a lot of super coupe track car possibilities. A GT3 is the obvious first port of call, but would someone considering the Jag want the Porsche? Not sure. Probably the same for a GT-R NISMO, in fact. You might want to think about the aforementioned GTS - yes, they really are the same money - although again that might appear a little try-hard. Closest in mindset to the Jaguar - big V8, big kerbweight, slightly slow auto 'box - would be the Black Series Mercs. Despite being more widely available, the best examples of the both the CLK63 and C63 Black command more than £100K, this black (and Black) CLK63 very nice indeed.

Even with those rivals, the Jaguar presents a desperately appealing case. It's rarer than all of them, just as powerful, just as capable on track (if not more so in some cases) and equally interesting to fast car nerds. It looks a lot when XKs with the same power are less than a third of the price, but it's hardly likely to depreciate. And for the most exciting Jaguar of a generation, the Jaguar that should excite people like us more than any other, it doesn't look badly priced at all - it's less than one of those daft Project 7s, don't forget!

---

JAGUAR XKR-S GT
Engine: 5,000cc V8, supercharged
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 550@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 502@2,500-5,500rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 292g/km
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 4,000
Price new: £138,000
Yours for: £149,995

See the original advert here.

[Bencolem]

Like it, can see the appeal in not wanting to be in "another" 911 variant at a track day and very cool because of it, but I'd take the CLK63 Black Series if I wanted to be different...