2003 Jaguar XKR Coupe

When the XK8 was introduced in 1996, it set new standards in the luxury sports car market. Two years later, the supercharged XKR lined up alongside, raising levels of driving excitement, style and performance still further. Now, for the 2003 model year, comes an extensively revised successor to the beautiful coupe and convertible XKs that have so delighted owners and bystanders alike.

In 1998, an even more dramatic model was unveiled the supercharged XKR. With still more impressive performance, the R added another dimension to the XK story. Two very special editions followed, with the Silverstone celebrating Jaguars entry into Formula 1, in 2000, while in 2001 the XKR 100 celebrated the centenary of the birth of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons.

The 2003 model year XK benefits from a broad programme of improvements, there are some 900 part number changes, underlining the fact that while its appeal may be timeless, development of this sporting Jaguar has certainly not stood still. Now with a full 400bhp in the supercharged XKR shares with the latest S-TYPE R sports saloon the distinction of having the most powerful series production engine in Jaguars history.

The latest R Performance range of options (available on both XK8 and XKR)includes unique Recaro seats, high performance Brembo brakes (now standard on the XKR)and a package of interior details with sporty aluminium or leather finishes. A handling package that uprates suspension and steering is available on coupe models only.

The new 4.2-litre XKR engine uses a rotor-type Eaton supercharger, belt-driven from the front of the crankshaft. It also features two industry firsts on a production car supercharger helical rotor gears for low noise, and coated rotors for increased efficiency. These innovations have contributed to a supercharger speed five per cent greater than that of the supercharger in the 4.0-litre engine, further benefiting volumetric efficiency.

To match the increased output and the increased mechanical and thermal stresses that supercharging imposes, the new XKR V8 has stronger pistons,forged from single billets of aluminium alloy. It also features oil jet cooling on the underside of the piston crowns, for maximum cooling and minimum distortion.

The supercharged XKR, with its greater performance, now has Brembo brakes as standard. The system features 355x32mm ventilated front discs and 330x28mm ventilated rear discs, with four-piston aluminium calipers carrying the Jaguar R Performance logo. Steel-braided brake lines complete the highly impressive specification and give the XKR stopping power and feel more than equal to its exceptional performance. The Brembo braking set-up is available as a cost option on XK8, linked to one of the three 20-inch R Performance styles available.

In Detail

price $	£56,700
engine	AJ34 V8
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Supercharged
valvetrain	4 Valves per Cyl
displacement	4196 cc / 256.1 in³
bore	86 mm / 3.39 in
stroke	90.3 mm / 3.56 in
compression	9.1:1
power	298.3 kw / 400 bhp @ 6100 rpm
specific output	95.33 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	230.55 bhp per tonne
torque	553.17 nm / 408.0 ft lbs @ 3500 rpm
body / frame	Unit steel
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	245/40 ZR19
rear tires	255/40 ZR19
front brakes	Brembro Discs w/4-Piston Calipers, ABS, Power Assist
f brake size	x 355 mm / x 14.0 in
rear brakes	Brembro Discs w/4-Piston Calipers, ABS, Power Assist
r brake size	x 330 mm / x 13.0 in
front wheels	F 48.3 x 20.3 cm / 19.0 x 8.0 in
rear wheels	R 48.3 x 22.9 cm / 19.0 x 9.0 in
f suspension	Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers
r suspension	Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers
curb weight	1735 kg / 3825 lbs
wheelbase	2588 mm / 101.9 in
front track	1504 mm / 59.2 in
rear track	1498 mm / 59.0 in
length	4760 mm / 187.4 in
width	2015 mm / 79.3 in
height	1296 mm / 51.0 in
transmission	6-Speed Automatic
gear ratios	:1
top speed	~249.4 kph / 155.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~5.2 seconds