The normally aspirated 4.2-liter XK has been praised for its acoustic qualities, remaining unobtrusive and relaxed at modest speeds but producing an unmistakeable V8 soundtrack when worked hard. On the XKR, the noise from the supercharger threatened to dominate the acoustic character and mask the underlying sound quality. However, through enhancements to the vehicle acoustic pack, the supercharger noise has been reduced by 5dB compared to the previous Jaguar XKR.

This approach to acoustics allowed the engineers to concentrate on using the exhaust system to deliver the best possible sound quality character. This was accomplished through the use of Jaguar XKR's Active Exhaust system which varies the flow of exhaust gases through the main silencer box to ensure that Jaguar XKR remains quiet at cruising speeds, but delivers a substantially more purposeful sound quality character under hard acceleration.


Jaguar XKR Transmission

Jaguar's Sequential Shift uniquely combines all the speed and involvement of a sequential manual gearbox with the comfort and convenience of a full automatic.

The system consists of steering-wheel-mounted paddles and a conventional gear selector lever, allowing the driver to switch between three automatic or paddle-operated gearbox modes.

Whereas an automated manual gearbox interrupts the flow of torque during the gearchange - while the clutch is disengaged - the Jaguar's gearbox maintains the flow of torque throughout the shifting process. This results in gearchanges that are not only quick, but also remarkably smooth. Gearshifts are achieved in less than 600 milliseconds, from the point at which the driver operates the shift paddle to the point at which the shift is complete.

In fact, during development, comparison tests between Jaguar Sequential Shift and rival automatic transmissions in the class showed the transmission to be the fastest system of all, changing gear at least 400 milliseconds faster than a standard automatic and 100 milliseconds faster than the best automated manual system.

The three gearbox modes give the driver total flexibility to use the transmission to match whatever driving style he or she chooses. In Drive mode, the gearbox behaves as a conventional automatic, with the software optimized for every day driving conditions providing all the benefits of a best-in-class automatic transmission .

In Sport mode, the gearbox's adaptive software becomes more prevalent, adapting and reacting more dynamically to demanding conditions. This software takes account of the prevailing conditions and driver's inputs and adapts accordingly. For example, it recognizes when the car is negotiating a curve, and holds the gear accordingly; Hill Recognition enables Jaguar XKR to choose the ratios to optimize the ascent or descent of a hill; the gearbox's software will also match the engine speed precisely to the engine and road speeds, 'blipping' the throttle during rapid downshifts.

Manual mode is activated by simply operating one of the steering-wheel-mounted paddles, and delivers a state-of-the-art manual gear shift feel from the automatic transmission.


EXTERIOR/INTERIOR

JAGUAR XKR DESIGN

With the much-admired new XK already considered a future design classic, Jaguar's creative team, led by Ian Callum, had a great starting point from which to produce Jaguar XKR. The XK range's elegant form draws on the lineage of the original XK and E-Type sports cars, and by blending this unmistakeable Jaguar silhouette with contemporary flair, its exterior forms a stunning blend of elegance, athleticism and definition. Jaguar XKR takes now this athletic look one stage further thanks to the addition of:

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