Currently reading: More Jaguar XKR-S GTs could be built
Originally Jaguar said there would be just 30 examples of the hardcore coupé; now there might be 50

The £130,000 limited-edition Jaguar XKR-S GT production run will be extended if there is enough demand for extra cars.

Initially, Jaguar had insisted that only 30 examples of the hardcore, race-derived XK would be built, with all of them being sold in the US and Canada.

However, just 24 hours after the car’s unveiling at the New York motor show, Jaguar boss Adrian Hallmark confirmed that capacity was available to build an additional 20 cars if customers wanted.

“It is possible the production run will reach 50,” said Hallmark. “The initial cap was set to define the business case but, thankfully, there is room for more.”

Jaguar claims the XKR-S GT, powered by a 542bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8, can lap the Nürburgring in under 7min 40sec, about the same time as the fastest recorded lap by the Ferrari 458 Italia.

“The real beauty of this project has been that it has extended our understanding of the elements involved in making a car go so fast, and that will feed back into all our road car programmes,” said Hallmark.

“We could have got more power from the engine and achieved lap times that way, for instance, but we focused on driveability, aero enhancements, weight saving, brake performance and the like. 

“All of these things make the GT a more fun car to drive and workable for on-road use. We’ve always been known for making cars that are known for their driving pleasure, but this project has further deepened our understanding of how to do that.”

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

A smooth, svelte all-rounder of a grand tourer, which can equally cosset and thrill in equal measure when called upon

Join the debate

Comments
10
Add a comment…
Citytiger 9 April 2013

pychris, dont get me wrong I

pychris, dont get me wrong I am a fan of JLR, but as you have said, they where going to build the C-X75, they binned that, they have been planning a successor for the E-Type since the late 70's now 40 years later we are getting one, but unlike the E-Type that was built and designed through racing was and still is a design icon, and was far cheaper than anything else like it on the market, we get the F-Type, that just isnt good looking enough, is too expensive and considering its made of aluminium its too heavy, it may be well be a great car, but a new E-Type it isnt.

How long has it taken JLR to produce an XF Estate but only a limited range, still no coupe though, 4x4 but only in selected markets, a Jaguar SUV, a 3 series, these are essentials not want to haves.

People go on about the sales success of the Evoque, but fail to mention it only sold slightly more than the Volvo XC60, but accodring to some Volvo is a basket case, even though they sell more cars than JLR, and they only have 2 SUV's the afore mentioned XC60 and the ancient XC90. 

 

GermanPower 9 April 2013

They're boasting about a

They're boasting about a Nurburgring time slower than a current Carrera S. How pathetic.

pychris 9 April 2013

Lap time

Porsche Carrera S is 7 min 37 seconds.

Jaguar XKRS-GT is under 7 min 40 seconds. Let's assume 7 min 39 seconds.

A difference of 2 seconds. Wow. It's so slow.

tannedbaldhead 9 April 2013

GermanPower wrote: They're

GermanPower wrote:

They're boasting about a Nurburgring time slower than a current Carrera S. How pathetic.

Bigger, heavier car. More of a boulivarder and GT than the Carrera. Not fair to compair them.

uk_supercar_fan 9 April 2013

GermanPower wrote: They're

GermanPower wrote:

They're boasting about a Nurburgring time slower than a current Carrera S. How pathetic.

Continual blind, pointless criticism, with no reason other than to provoke. How pathetic.

Wherever it is that trolls live, why don't you go back there? Alternatively if you have anything constructive, objective or even mildly factual to add to this otherwise good-humored and sociable forum, do go on..…

Citytiger 8 April 2013

“The real beauty of this

“The real beauty of this project has been that it has extended our understanding of the elements involved in making a car go so fast, and that will feed back into all our road car programmes,” said Hallmark.

This the reason IMO Jaguar need some new management, Jaguar used to be one of the fastest manufacturers on the planet, just look at its racing heritage, if they have lost the understanding of how to make a car go fast, perhaps they should just not bother.

JLR have the potential to be a fantastic success, but the emphasis now needs to come back to Jaguar, far too much energy has been put into Landrover in search of easy sales of SUV's instead of a car range with the relevant models in place.

A 3 series size range should have been a priority instead of stupid low volume sports cars ( and yes I include the F Type in that statement). Once your core product is in place then you can branch out to the nice to haves as oppossed to the must haves. 

pychris 9 April 2013

Citytiger needs to chill

Jaguar knows how to make fast cars. They were building the new supercar C-X75.

JLR have concentrated on Land Rover because that division makes the money. You need money to invest in new Jaguar cars.

The F-type was constructed before the 3 series because they need a new "icon" model to attract attention to the brand. Look how much attention has been given to the F-type and it hasn't even been driven by the press.