2007 Jaguar XKR super-coupe

2007 Jaguar XKR

The legendary British company decided to use the 2006 International Motor Show in London to officially present to the stunned public its long-awaited 2007 Jaguar XKR super-coupe.

Now officially a flagship model of the XK-Series range, the 2007 Jaguar XKR combines beautiful styling of the base XK model with a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 petrol engine that howls like a pack of blood-hungry wolves under its finely sculpted bonnet.

Featuring a pair of huge air inlets, the hood not only covers the engine (a work of art in itself,) but also clearly suggests that this is the car you don’t want to mess with.

The powerful engine develops a maximum of 420 hp and impressive 413 lb-ft of torque, accelerating the XKR from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and providing the car with electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

A driver will have to tackle this power with the help of XKR’s uprated springs and dampers that are electronically controlled by a recalibrated Jaguar’s Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) system.

Beware though that with its relatively small (around 70 liters) fuel tank and a natural thirst of the supercharged engine for premium gasoline (the sports car has EPA fuel consumption rating of just 18 mpg (13 l/100 km) in the city and 27 mpg (8.7 l/100 km) on a highway, which is not bad in theory, but will be at least 30 percent worse in practice) you will have to stop every 500-600 kilometers or so to refuel the vehicle depending on your driving style and road condition.

Some may find it annoying, but, well, it could be worse.

In the United Kingdom, the open-top Jaguar will cost £67,495. A very nice price for a British car that is supposed to compete with Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and the small, but deadly Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

Photos: Jaguar

See also: 2007 Jaguar XKR coupe and convertible: new photos