Jalopnik
The 2008 Jaguar XKR is a beautiful car. The best angle is probably from the rear. The fenders flare out like a woman's hips to cover the wide rear track and flow into a pinched trunk equipped with the most complementary spoiler ever conceived. It evokes muscular visions of British sports cars from the '60s, or even cars like the Shelby Daytona Coupe. This is exactly how a modern Jag should look, demonstrating a clear appreciation for the past without shamelessly copying it.
Jaguars are often criticized for looking too much like the current crop of near-identical Aston Martins, but that's not a comparison borne out in person. In pictures, the XKR's shape overwhelms the body's more subtle lines. It's a shape close in proportion and form to cars like the DB9, but up close and on the street, the Jaguar strikes a pose all its own — long and lithe where the DB9 is heavy and purposeful.
It's not a comparison that's borne out inside either. Where the Astons have crystal start/stop buttons and a modern and luxurious swath of bamboo on the dash, the Jag is an awkward combination of nicely stitched leather and cheap plastic parts. I know the Vantage is $20,000 more expensive, but the Jag's interior is about $50,000 cheaper than its $98,000 as-tested-here price tag suggests.
The spokes on the steering wheel — parts you touch — are made from the lowest quality painted plastic. The airbag cover — a part you look at every day — is about five cents more expensive. The door handles are chromed plastic versions of the ones that were used on the '90s Ford Fiesta. The aluminum weave trim inserts are a matter of taste, or the complete lack thereof. Why not just continue the piano black of the center console across the rest of the interior?
You see where I'm going here, but I've saved the worst for last. The touch-screen interface controls most of the vehicle's ancillary functions, but it is surrounded by an inches-thick, sweaty black plastic binnacle, the quality of which would look out of place in a Chevy Cobalt.
Having lived with this car for a week, I just can't figure out where the $98,000 was spent. Sure it looks good and, yes, initial impressions were promising, but without the ability to drive like a sports car or cosset like a luxury car, the Jag's mouth is writing checks its chassis can't cash.
Perhaps the best argument against the XKR is delivered by the sheer competence of vehicles that retail for close to half its price. A Corvette, for example, is also a V8-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car. But it starts at less than $50,000; is lighter and faster; comes with a manual gearbox; and drives like a sports car. For that price, we'll forgive its cheap interior. The Porsche Cayman costs a little more, but drives better, comes with a premium badge and has an interior that shares no parts with a late '90s Fiesta. For almost $100,000, the XKR should objectively offer something these two cars don't. Make all the arguments you want for the exclusivity its badge brings. It just doesn't deliver the goods.
So the Jaguar XKR is a beautiful car, and a fast one, but it promises too much and delivers far too little. Enthusiastic drivers don't just want a car that feels special; they want one that is special. The word I'm looking for is "underwhelming." Decidedly, woefully, disappointingly underwhelming.
This concludes our review of the Jaguar XKR. Parts One and Two can be found under the Jalopnik Reviews tag in the masthead.
Photography: Grant Ray
Comments
Looking at the header and side panels, every comment should read something like this: "This Audi is a great 4x4, and the Diesel is the best version that the States has been waiting for for too long, but its not half as good as a SUBARU {BUY SUBARU} Subaru Diesel is better. Oh wait. Whats that? There ISN'T a SUBARU diesel?. Never mind [BUY A SUBARU] we'll not get any criticism of that brand here! Subarus are great!!!!"
Are you allowed to impartially critique cars if you are sponsored by a single automaker?
Oh. This is Jag column. Er, "The Jaguar is a great car, but [BUY A SUBARU] not as great as a SUBARU"...
@3wheeler: Yes, our advertising has no impact on our editorial. Additionally, we pay our own way on product launches and disclose any free shwag we're given. You can count on us for independent, unbiased reviews.
yeah exactly what I was thinking a few days ago. Seems they criticize small crap economy cars, but when someone strolls into a Tokyo showroom and takes shots of a micro scooby, suddenly they love it.
Really? (SUBARU) the advertiser wouldn't withdraw any funding if given a hard time by your editorial?
As for free Shwag thats great (cue obvious joke) but do you disclose free Sh*gs?
@GrandmaSideways: That's called taste.
@3wheeler: No, as gentleman we have a strict "Don't kiss and tell" policy ruthlessly enforced by Mr. Wert.
The money went into the exchange rate. It is like 2:1.
When was the last time Jaguar had a class leading product?
The the vents in the center of the dash the same ones that I have in my Fusion? They sure do look like it.
@neredowell: XJ220
I'm still not terribly keen on that nose. The bits look good, but not in concert - the divide between upper and lower grill-mesh interupts the facia, and seems to me only an attempt to distinguish the nose from an Aston. While they may not look similar up close, they do from the press shots . . . and press shots get people to dealerships.
@3wheeler: I think they are way too in love with Audis (maybe Audi is supplying free hookers that Wert won't let them talk about), but this review seems pretty unbaised. What this car costs compared to a Corvette or Cayman S is pretty unjustifiable.
it really is a great looking car.. Jag is finally coming around
Agreed.
Hence the aforementioned depreciation rate on these lovely bits of Britain. In a year, you'll be able to buy on for ~50K... Right in line with the fit & finish as well as the performance ###'s. (and 2+years left on the warranty... )
As someone who has never "built" a car at the dealer (nor ever will) this suits me just fine.
Sorry mates, you could tell me you hate this car all you want--I'll still have one. It is simply a case of the left brain overpowering the right...
Must say, I reckon the XKR makes the best noise on a British High Street I've heard in a long time.
British Muscle Cars, well, Indian muscle cars, are go.
You guys really need to compare this with a 650i. Not a Cayman. Also the Germans picked the XKR over the Maserati GranTurismo. At least it scores higher.
[www.autozeitung.de]
remember the interior was built for a $75,000 XK not a 90,000 XKR
Not that I don't think it should be better too, I just wouldn't say it's what you find in most $40,000 cars these days.
@j6r: The 650i etc are its more natural competitors, but the point is that the XKR's outdone by cars costing roughly half the price, much less cars that cost roughly the same.
@bananaDoc: Did you just make a passably reasonable argument for purchasing a used Jaguar coupe?
Kudos.
Clarkson disagrees with you on power & chassis, though his review is simpler.
You also Fail to mention the notably Lighter weight of the XKR.
Top Gear Clarkson XKR vs. Vantage:
+ Watch video
@spaceman7: Top Gear is noticably biased in favor of british cars. Also, the XKR is notably heavier than a Corvette.
Corvette: 3217lbs
XKR: 3671lbs
@Wes Siler: Just FYI, the term is SWAG, which stands for "Stuff We All Get", so I am told. Not being picky, just thought you might enjoy its background as trivia (just like most of us Yanks don't know that POSH stands fo "Portside Outbound, Starboard Homebound", the preferred stateroom configuration for booking staterooms on liners as a UK resident.)
@Wes Siler: A 650i is 3900#, A G37 is 3700#. While weight isn't everything in this class I think it is under-weighted as an evaluation factor. The Corvette is much more of a sports car with the road noise and exhaust warmth that comes with less insulation.
@j6r: I think you'd be suprised how complete a car the current Corvette is. Get over the badge snobbery and the 1980s Hyundai interior.
Obviously without driving these cars back to back discussing their finer points is irrelevant, I'm merely offering them up as reference points.
The Jag's just not half the car it should be. Especially for the money.
"This concludes our review of the Jaguar XKR."
No TreeHuggers? No Fashion Victims?
~sound of chirping crickets~
I kinda miss Jonny....
@Wes Siler: Fair play to that.
-But a vette looks nowhere near as good as an XK/R and is also known for having crap interiors.
Hell, the C4 (?) had its OEM rear discs RIVETED on.
At least they didn't let the Gawker Artists design it.
car and driver had a recent article where they compared cars that cost ~$50k with ones costing substantially more. One of their comparisons was between the XK and the Audi S5.
[www.caranddriver.com]
@spaceman7: Agreed. But neither does it cost $98,000. The money you'd save buying the Corvette would pay for a lot of track days, tyres and speeding tickets. Or just buy a 10yo Rolls Royce for when you needed to feel classy.
@Wes Siler: Not a comparison, dude.
Like the Evo X Shouldn't be compared to an RS4,
Like the 300C SRT8 shouldn't be compared to an M5
Like the Pussycat Dolls shouldn't be compared to The Supremes,
Like The Fast and The Furious shouldn't be compared to Vanishing Point.
Corvette and XKR are like comparing Concorde with an F16. Speed is literally the only thing they have in common.
Anyone complaining about the ad's, do your homework.... Firefox + Adblock is your friend.
Oh nevermind, here he is:
TTAC
QOTD: Which Brand Has Lost the Plot?
By Jonny Lieberman
February 13, 2008 - 79 Views
@Wes Siler: Look carefully at my profile photo. I'm more familiar with C6s than you might think. The C6 is very refined, but it does have tire noise and the exhaust goes right past your legs so the cabin gets warm if you don't turn on the A/C. I don't think it is a problem, but I doubt the Jaguar does the same thing.
@Rust-MyEnemy: I take it you've never driven the XKR? It hardly bears comparison with the Concorde.
@Wes Siler: I have. Mercedes dealer event comparing XKR, 650i and SL500. You're right, it doesn't compare with Concorde. Just as the Corvette doesn't compare with an F16
Two different flavours for two different tastes.
And neither is right or wrong.
But I like smoked salmon more than I like a hotdog, and they're both yummy, right?
well i remember Top Gear making a point that this is a car made by an automaker on the ropes. I mean for a luxury car it still has a telescoping antenna in the back..just like my 1995 Altima. I mean shoot even Hyundai has integrated antennas..
and Top Gear isnt always biased towards UK cars
I mean they chose a Wiesmann over a TVR ( who can blame them?) and they werent too pleased over the XKR either.. the new XF does get a nod from Capt Slow and the boys..
To be honest I really really hated the new XF but the more I see it the more I like it..its a good change for the company..and I have seen a few XKR coupes and covertibles here in Florida and they look pretty nice in person and in motion..just some of the small details
show that this car was crafted on a budget and a tight one at that
@Rust-MyEnemy: Out of curiosity, what were your impressions of the three? I attended a similar event not long ago--(maybe an mb thing?) and came away with very distinct opinions...
@bananaDoc: Personally speaking, I pitied the MB. This was Mercedes on a bit of an Ego trip, with a "we're still the daddy" attitude. They threw us the keys to a bunch of cars and told us to see what we thought.
Opinions:-
MB 500sl:- Felt like, well, a Mercedes. Intially very impressive, but you soon learn that refinement is its party piece, and I kind of wanted more than that. The sound was there, the grunt was there, but the whole thing felt a little.... inert. Nice, but no hard-on.
XK:- Underwhelmed with the front threequarter styling (those headlamps...) but then it became apparrent that Jag are making a real effort to pull themselves out of the past. To drive there was a definite edge, an inherrent excitement. Slight rawness you didn't get in Jags of the past. Loved it, but I'll agree with Wes on the fact I would find the quality hard to stomach.
650i Sport:- Didn't expect this, but it was my favourite. Not the prettiest, not the fastest. But It just amazed me with deep-seated comptetence. And also, the fact that it becomes an extention of the driver. You feel like you're wearing it, hunkered down in the machine. Invulnerable. The build is astonishing. The sound is thunderous and the feeling, while not as sharp as the Jag ultimately, is one of total control and very, very high limits. The acceleration, not searing, but seemingly exponential. You're always going that bit faster than you thought.
My winner is the Bimmer, because it doesn't feel like it's trying too hard.
@Rust-MyEnemy: I find the 6-series to be the most competent handler out of those three. It might not feel it at first, but start pushing it on tight roads and it's easier to place, more responsive and faster as a result.
Spot on!
I grew up with SL's in or around the family--and the new ones, while very nice, feel cheaper I think... the leather, the fit and finish.. not so good. There was talk at the event that MB's from the Chrysler era would be a black spot on the brand.
On the other hand, the BMW felt as if it were carved from solid granite (like the SL's USED to feel). The mechanics felt like a Swiss watch.. and we are not talking Rolex, we are talking Vacheron Constantin or Patek here...
However, in the end, the XK just grabbed me... purely Visceral.
@Wes Siler: Yep. I find it hard to get the 6 Series out of my head as I try to persuade my customers to part with 60 £Gs for an SL...
@nirad: C/D is Wrong. The S5 is Fugly. Hate the well humps, the lines, all of it; yuk.
@bananaDoc: That's what I was talking about in the first part of the review. It feels so good at first, but when you start trying to push it, it just falls all over itself. and it's not like it's so luxurious and nice inside that you can just pass it off as a sexy looking luxury car.
@Charles_Barrett: Swag is actually British for "loot" -- as in ill-gotten goods, stolen items, even occasionally pirate treasure.
But more to the point, Wes, I think that was a good look at the Jag--but why do you think they are scrimping on the inside trim, which people, as you point out, see constantly??
@spaceman7:
And you know what? I think i'd still buy the Vantage.
Even though i can't explain why...
@Wes Siler: I'm suspicious that they may have bollocksed up the suspension for the US market.... Jag have played this trick in the past, with the US getting the sponge-matic makover.
I wonder. Whatcha reckon, Wes?