2011 Jaguar XKR: Fastest Ever XK to Debut in Geneva

Jaguar announced today that it will unveil the 2011 model year XKR Coupe that benefits from the introduction of two new optional styling and performance packages at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. The new Speed and Black packages allow customers to further personalize the XKR and also raise maximum speed.

Starting with the Speed Pack, a new ECU and transmission recalibration extends the coupe's top speed from the standard model's 155mph or 250km/h to a still electronically limited 174mph or 280km/h, making this XKR the fastest ever production model of the series.

To improve stability, the new package adds a revised front aerodynamic splitter and larger rear spoiler to provide increased balance and a reduction in lift, while the electronic Active Differential Control has been recalibrated to reduce steering sensitivity at high speeds.

Cosmetic tweaks include body-colored side sills and rear diffuser, a chrome finish to the window surrounds, upper and lower mesh grilles, side Power Vents and boot lid finisher plus red brake callipers with a Jaguar 'R' logo that sit inside 20-inch Kasuga alloy wheels.

Those that opt for the Speed Pack will be offered a special paint palette that includes these finishes: Ultimate Black, Polaris White, Salsa Red, Liquid Silver, Lunar Grey, Kyanite Blue and Spectrum Blue.

Moving onto to the Black Pack that's a styling kit available only in conjunction with the Speed Pack, buyers can choose from three different colors -Ultimate Black, and despite its name, Polaris White or Salsa Red.

The kit adds 20-inch gloss black Kalimnos alloy wheels while further gloss black finishing is applied to the window surrounds and front grilles. Body coloured front and rear spoilers and boot lid finisher round out the exterior package while customers can also opt for 'XKR' side body graphic that runs along the door sills.

Inside, all XKRs with the Black Pack are trimmed with Charcoal leather hides that can be personalized with a range of color stitching and grain.

In the UK, pricing for the Speed Pack has been set at £3,500 while the Black Pack costs an additional £500.

Other enchantments for the entire 2011 XKR range, include the red brake callipers and a repair kit that replaces the spare tire that become standard on all XKR Coupe and Convertible models.

Jaguar Returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will Compete with an XKR GT2

Marking its 75th anniversary of Le Mans competition, Jaguar confirmed today that it is returning to the famed 24 hour endurance race this year with the factory sponsored XKR GT2 run by JaguarRSR, an independent racing team from the U.S.

The British automaker has a total of seven wins at Le Mans between 1951 and 1990, the first win being with the C-type and the last with the Jaguar XJR-12.

Gentilozzi, who will drive the JaguarRSR XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) commented: "We are delighted the ACO has granted us entry in the prestigious 24 hours of Le Mans. It is a race that is held dearly in the hearts of motorsport fans across the world and for Jaguar to be racing again is something special."

Arden Tricks Out 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible

Never satisfied with the factory Jaguars, German tuner Arden has introduced its take on the revised 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible. Arden starts by hiking the performance of the new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that gains 30 horsepower and 50 Nm of torque for a total output of 540 horsepower and 675 Nm (498 lb-ft). A sport suspension with new shocks and the removal of the electronic speed limiter complete the changes under the skin.

The tuner covers the XKR Convertible's front grille and air-intakes with handmade, chrome-plated stainless steel grilles while at the rear there's a new diffuser that houses the tail pipes of the new sport exhaust system. Of course, no Arden model would be complete without flashy wheels, and there's room for a new set of 21-inch Sportline alloys.

eBay Find: Jaguar XK Convertible Crossdressed as an Aston Martin

So what do you do when you have a salvageable Jaguar XK8 Convertible wreck in your hands? Well, you can either try to restore it to its previous condition as most people would or alternatively, create a whole different type of car like this eBay owner did. Thanks to the extended use of fiberglass, the XK8 denounces its wild-cat heritage and enters the 'fantastic' world of Aston Martin replicas with styling elements from the lone-gone Vanquish. Love the glued on steering wheel badge but think we'll pass on this one.

Link: eBay

2010 Jaguar XK and XKR Facelift with new V8 Engines Unveiled in Detroit

As well as revealing the new XFR at the Detroit Auto Show, Jaguar also pulled the covers off the 2010 Model Year XK and XKR coupe and convertibles that receive all-new V8 engines. With a displacement of 5.0-liters, the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engines deliver more power and performance with greater efficiency than their 4.2-liter V8 predecessor. In the XKR, the supercharged 5.0L V8 produces 510HP and 625Nm of torque propelling it to 60mph from standstill in 4.6 seconds.

The XK coupe and convertible models feature a naturally aspirated version of the AJ-V8 Gen III that delivers 385HP and 515Nm of torque allowing the coupe to hit 60mph in 5.2 seconds. Jaguar claims that both the XK and XKR have improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions which meet the forthcoming EU5 emissions legislation.

As expected, the new V8 unit will also find a place in the coming months in several Land Rover models.

The exterior changes for the 2010 XK and XKR models include a new front bumper with aluminum effects, new LED rear lights and a new lower rear body valance. Inside the cabin, both models gain the pop-up gear selector from the XF.