Looks like the new Jag is going to give the Vantage S a run for its money. Here are some highlights:

• 5.0L Supercharged DOHC 32-valve V8
• 550HP and 502lb-ft torque
• 3200 lb curb weight
• 255/35R20 front on 9.0 rim
• 295/35r20 rear on 10.5 rim
• 0.4in lowered suspension
• 0-60mph in 4.2s
• 0-100mph in 8.7s
• 186mph top speed
• Newer aggressive body
• New louder X-pipe active exhaust
• Base price $132,000US

So, on paper, it has the Vantage S beat on everything but looks (IMHO), brand coolness factor, and exclusivity.

Not a bad looking car either. Here's a link to some more pics:

http://www.netcarshow.com/jaguar/2012-xkr-s/

I would still take the Vantage though. What do you think?

 

3200lbs? That sounds about 600lbs lower than what I expected. Dimensionally, that thing's a barge. Even so, 550 horses can't all be wrong.

 

Wouldn’t you say the jaguar is more on par with the DBS? Size and power considered.. I wouldn’t place it in the same category as the vantage.. unless we were talking about the V12 model.

 

Ive always appreciated jags and this one has appeal . But 3200lbs??? Ill believe it when i see it. For a 2+2 Composite materials are definitely required inorder to boast those kind of numbers. 550 ponies is nice but Jag really should set their targets on the 911 TT by focusing more on engineering and technological innovations. Nissan did and look at the street cred theyve earned now with the GTR. I really do want to own a jag but what exactly is the badge synonymous for? Bmw=handling and performance. Audi = refined and sure-footed AWD. Mercedes = luxury and power. Aston Martin = Sex appeal.

 

I agree that 3200 lbs doesn't sound right. My old 6-cylinder BMW M Roadster was 3200lbs and it could fit in the trunk of the Jag. Still, with 550 bhp, they could get a heavier car to 60 in around 4.2 s so the performance figures are believable.

As for looks, these Jags to me always look like the Aston's less attractive brother. Not saying they're ugly, they're just not as nice looking IMO. Also, I saw video of them flogging this car around a track and, although the car was loud, I didn't think it was a nice sound.

 

Yeah. The numbers came off the latest issue of Motor Trend and I think the weight is wrong. The Jaguar website has the specs with the weight at 1,753kg (3864 lbs). All these cars are so heavy. My Esprit tips the scales at under 2800 lbs. After driving it for a while, I realize just how heavy my Vantage feels. I love the Vantage, but when it comes to speed and handling, my Esprit will leave it in the dust and it only has half the cylinders!

But, regarding the XKR-s, the Jaguar website has the fuel economy at 14.9 city, 33 highway. Doesn't that sound like a huge difference (more than double) from city to highway driving?

I do agree with your comments about Aston's less attractive sibling—I've often thought of that myself. As far as the sound, I'm sure that's nothing that Stuart from RSC couldn't fix.


http://www.jaguar.com/us/en/xk/model...ls/xkr-s/specs

 

Realistically, I think it will demolish a Vantage S in most situations. This is why I keep saying AM needs to step it up or go with supercharging. Looks-wise the Vantage is clear winner, but they need more power.

 

XKR-S I prefer no question asked. Plus the XKR-S is sexier than the Vantage IMO.

 

Having driven the XKR-S I can say it's fast with a wicked exhaust note but the transmission is a let-down. With a true manual or dual-clutch set up it would have be en much better, but they put a "regular" auto in there.

 

Its crazy, seems like this forum has turned into a XK vs AM (inset vantage, db9, dbs) forum lol...in any case, I dont think people buy AMs because of their performance figures...I feel like an individual chooses to purchase an AM for more than that...

 

Again the new XKR-S is more sexier, better and faster than the DBS, Vantage S, and Vantage V12, DB9. This is just my opinion. AM owners wish they had Supercharged cars thats why people on here are wanting more. I rather buy a car that has all the options and features right off the get rather than spending more money trying to mod it.

 

NO! Please keep things NA. What Aston really need to do is to lose weight (lots of it) and to put more powerful engines in there.

 

Or...they could do both and let the buyer decide. If they want to be like Porsche, then they would have a regular model, an S...like they do (except the S should make more than 10 hp more than the base model)...and then a fast forced-induction model and a high rev NA race version.

 

I'm gong to drive it this weekend as well. I'm not opposed to the idea of an auto, if done well. I'd prefer a good auto over a bad automated manual. I have an auto in th X5M and it's great.

By the way the XKR-S is faster than the official number indicate...0-60 is likely around 3.6 and 1/4 around 11.9@123. That's quick. On the other hand, it's no match for the GTR, as they showed on Top Gear.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjg2NzQxNDA4.html

 

The XKR-S is really a direct competitor to the DBS, not the Vantage, from a size/weight/power aspect. The XKR-S lapped Top Gear's test track 1 second faster than the DBS, so it's mighty quick, as you would expect from the power/weight ratio.

But even if it were several seconds faster, it wouldn't matter to me. Astons really are special; Jags not so much. Plus their styling is really a mixed bag of disparate elements that don't hang together very well.