Currently reading: LA motor show 2011: Jaguar XKR-S cabriolet
New Jaguar XKR-S convertible hits 186mph and covers 0-62mph in just 4.2sec

The new Jaguar XKR-S convertible is being billed as “the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT model” that the company has ever built. The Jaguar XKR-S convertible has made its public debut at the Los Angeles motor show today and joins the XKR-S coupé at the top of the XK range. Although it weighs 1800kg, the XKR-S can sprint to 62mph in just 4.2sec and has a (limited) top speed of 186mph.

Read our Jaguar XKR-S cabrio first drive review

See pictures of the Jaguar XKR-S cabriolet, plus show pics

The cabrio has the same aerodynamic changes as the coupé, including the new nose, revised sills and prominent rear wing. The interior has the same carbonfibre trim, too.

Like the XKR-S coupe, it uses a 5.0-litre V8 fitted with a Roots-type twin-vortex supercharger and breathes through twin intercoolers. It develops 542bhp and 502lb ft of torque, up 38bhp and 40lb ft on the XKR’s engine, and drives the rear wheels through an active differential.

Jaguar says the car is also the stiffest in its class (at 16,500Nm per degree), which has allowed it to carry over the uprated suspension system used on the coupé.

The new aluminium front steering knuckle, revised steering, stiffer springs and dampers, and revised rear suspension geometry is re-utilised, although the cabrio’s rear damper mounts have been further stiffened to offset the lack of a roof structure.

Mike Cross, head of vehicle integrity and Jaguar’s chassis guru, said, “Because the XK was designed as a convertible, it has great structural integrity. This allowed us to apply the XKR-S coupé’s sporting suspension settings to create a convertible with no compromises.”

Jaguar predicts the price will be about £103,000.

Hilton Holloway

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