A thriller to the core

The 2010 Jaguar xkr's array of tech trappings makes it a performance-oriented car that galvanises your senses and is a pleasure to drive, says Philip Shane.

There are so many convertibles out there that the market seems saturated with them. But the newest kitty in the Jaguar litter is about so much more than how fast the roof retracts or whether the retraction mechanism works properly.

Last year's Jaguar XKR, with its great looks and beefy 420 hp 4.2 litre engine, was quite a thrill to drive. The new 2010 model XKR comes with a 5-litre supercharged killer engine that generates 510 horses in the 6,000 – 6,500 rpm band.

The thing about the XK models is that they aren't really supercars. They are performance-oriented lifestyle statements that offer much better value for money than a supercar. Owning one is probably so satisfying that ownership and maintenance costs don't matter. I've always admired cars that generate this kind of appeal, and the XK series has gone a step further, the new XKR is an absolute beast.

To put things into perspective, let me start by saying that I am yet to drive something in this segment that is such a thriller. Sure, there are cars in higher price segments with better figures and road hugging capabilities but this one isn't about those things. This big cat is all about exciting your senses and giving you a feel of what it's really like to be a wild animal. It's full of potential and is waiting to be unleashed against the weaker side of the food chain.

These days, most performance-oriented cars have kind of perfected the stability programme that keeps them on track. In fact, cars like the GTR have perfected it to the extent that it's almost impossible to get it off the track even if you switch off the stability programme.

But those are track cars with computers calculating every single nudge on the steering wheel, along with road traction and a hundred other factors, all measured in milliseconds, providing instantaneous feedback that keeps the tyres sticky at all times. The XKR isn't like that. Jaguars aren't about catching just any prey before the next cat does; instead, they're choosy about what they hunt and they make sure they get what they're after… even if it takes a while.

The 2010 XKR does a 0–100 km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The rear wheel drive system with the electronically controlled differential and the stability programme are so well blended that it gives the car its special character. Its back end that comes alive during aggressive acceleration is the truly fun part. In sport mode, the stability programme works hard to keep the tyres on track and allows a certain amount of traction overrun which is what is so attractive about this car.

There's so much power available, but the stability programme expects you to be a gentleman, depriving your less measured alter ego the pleasure of keeping the throttle floored at all times.

The new AJ V8 Gen III engine on this XKR is a lot more compact and efficient than its predecessors. Combined with high efficiency twin vortex superchargers, the engine produces 125 hp more than the regular XK version. Jaguar's intention in developing this new engine was to provide much higher accessibility to low-end torque, which is better suited for real world driving without compromising on power at higher engine speeds. Despite the considerable increase in power, the new engines have better emission ratings than the 4.2-litre engine and comparable fuel efficiencies.

The gear shifters are adopted from the XF series and this enhances the appeal of the car in terms of fancy gadgetry. I personally would have preferred the conventional shift lever (embracing the status quo a bit here). This electronically controlled six-speed ZF gearbox uses additional clutch plates and an uprated torque converter to accommodate the increased power delivery. The torque converter lock-up feature of the transmission can now be activated at lower speeds due to the high amount of torque produced by the new engine.

This also contributes to the overall fuel efficiency. The torsional damper system, which is another feature of this transmission, further smoothens up the driveline by absorbing firing impulses from the engine. The improved transmission is maintenance free and comes with a 'filled for life' fluid. The Active Differential Control plays a major role in the overall drive character of this car. This differential contains a multi-plate clutch which transmits or 'vectors' torque to the wheel with the most grip and therefore maximises the car's traction.

Although this multi-plate clutch assembly is designed to prevent excessive differential slip, it differs fundamentally from conventional traction control systems which use brakes to counteract differential slip after it has occurred. The differential, control which is only available in the supercharged XKR version, is fully automatic and can vary its locking torque depending on surface conditions and the amount of power applied. How tightly these features are incorporated into the driveline determines the drive character of any car, and the XKR's engineers have apparently got this automatic system just right.

What is really great about cars like the XKR is the reasonable use of technology to provide enough control and power to the driver, enabling a really great driving experience in the end. The XKR has a lot of other standard gadgetry which are worth mentioning too, but it's the character based stuff that make the difference. Overkill in the technology department usually kills the driving experience and is quite evident in the supercar league these days.

Sure, most car companies these days are capable of providing the latest in technology and ultra-precise drive systems. These look great on the specifications page of the user manual, but the features die out in terms of functionality and motoring fun in the real world. At the end of the day, it makes a lot of sense to stay focused on driving pleasure as the zenith of any performance car's list of characteristics – this is what Jaguar has done with the XKR. All the right things in the right proportions sum up to a great driving machine with a relatively reasonable price tag.

Yet again the big cat hasn't failed to impress us.