2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Part 3 of 3: Performance

The Jaguar XKR Portfolio continues the famed British automaker's long history of producing seductive sports coupes. A tradition first established by the XK120 FHC of 1951 - and most sensually personified by the fabulous XKE of the 1960s - Jaguar coupes have always focused on two of the brand's three hallmarks: grace and pace. The third, space, is the province of Jaguar's sedans, as it's in short supply in the coupes' cramped backseats. As this is a performance review, let's take a look at the pace of the XKR...

With 420 horsepower and a healthy 413 lb. ft. of torque, the XKR moves with haste to say the least. Zero to 60 is dispatched in 4.2 seconds. The quarter-mile disappears in 12.6 seconds. All the while the car emits a subdued V8 soundtrack thanks to active exhaust baffling. There isn't much supercharger whine either, as Jaguar seems intent on providing excellent pace without too much fuss.

While the sound of the XKR Porfolio is perhaps too conservative for our taste, its braking performance most certainly is not. Backing up the impressive speed are the largest brakes ever fitted to a production Jaguar: 400mm front rotors with semi-circular milled grooves. There are big Alcon calipers with six pistons in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. Not only do they bring the XKR's 3800 lbs. to a halt very quickly, but they do so repeatedly and without complaint, as we discovered on our closed mountain road test course.

Serving the Jag nearly as well on the mountain road was its eCATS suspension system. The computer controlled shock valving works well at a brisk pace, but it prefers that you keep things at semi-civilized speeds. If you drive the XKR too hard, the suspension starts to show its limited range.

Cornering is not quite as impressive as acceleration and braking, but this coupe's mission is more "grand touring" than "canyon carving". Its handling and ride balance show typical Jaguar mastery, providing excellent body control at less-than-Mach 1 speeds while still riding very comfortably. So while it may be a bit too softly sprung to really hustle hard, it's just right for its intended use.

Likewise the speed sensitive power steering, which also works well around town and in semi-quick driving, but suffers a lack of feel and communication as you increase the pace. Driven within its intended performance envelope, however, the Jag coupe covers ground very quickly while staying completely civilized. The same can also be said of its fantastic gearbox.

The ZF supplied six-speed automatic transmission is among the best automatics in the world and it fits the XKR's character perfectly. It can lope around town with imperceptible shifts, but when the mood strikes you it can play sequential manual pretty convincingly with its steering wheel mounted paddles and aggressive, throttle blipping downshifts.

So the limited production Jaguar XKR Portfolio gives you just enough involvement to be entertaining as you move down the road in a brisk yet civilized manner. It may not provide sportscar reactions and sensory overload, but to be fair, that's not the car's intent. Rather, it gives you the ability to get where you're going incredibly quickly and in high-style. It is perfectly in keeping with Jaguar tradition, providing more than enough of the grace and pace that its customers demand.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio

Performance
- Acceleration: Big horsepower and torque from the supercharged V8 plus BIG traction from the 285 section rear tires add up to instant acceleration
- Handling: Active eCATS suspension helps when speed builds, but only to a point - more GT than sportscar
- Braking: Big optional Alcon six-piston calipers bring things to a standstill immediately with zero fade in road use

Design
- Exterior: Great looking rear 3/4 and side view - slightly less successful from the front - some excellent detailing, some less so
- Interior: Typical Jaguar opulence - the world's best headliner

Utility
- Comfort: Great seats and every convenience item you'd expect
- Space: Headroom a bit limited in cozy cabin - back seats as useful as Humpback whale's pelvic bone

Safety
- Dynamics: Chassis leans toward luxury more than sport, but there's plenty of moves here to avoid trouble
- Technology: Active eCATS suspension plus traction and stability control and all of the requisite airbags

Value
- Price: Suspect at just over $100k loaded, but competitors cost more - if the past is any indicator, depreciation might be an issue
- Mileage: Big V8 and supercharger would have you think big appetite, but not too shabby considering - six-speed auto helps

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Lovely to look at and plenty fast, but doesn't quite stir the soul
- Fun to spank: Prefers a brisk cruise to hooligan behavior - out of sorts at silly speeds

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 4.2 liter, supercharged V8
Power (SAE): 420 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 413 lbs-ft @ 4000
Redline: 6250 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3820 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
1/4 mile: 12.6 sec. @ 111 mph
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 15 city / 23 highway
Base Price: $ 95,675
Competitors: Maserati Gran Turismo, BMW M6, Mercedes-Benz SL550