First Drive Review
There is no shortage of write-ups about Jaguar's new XK, in all its variations, on CARandDRIVER.com. That's probably because Jag's latest—and in terms of performance, its greatest—GT is pretty sensational, whether or not it has a roof, a supercharger, or both. We would have no problem driving all the variations over and over and over without complaint. And so here we are again, the subject this time is the supercharged $92,500 XKR convertible, arguably the glitteriest kitty in the litter—at least from an image standpoint. It also happens to shine from a performance standpoint, proving that losing its top does not mean losing its edge.
Jaguar Sex Appeal, Now with Attitude
Although some might argue that the saucy coupe version of Jaguar design director Ian Callum's perfectly proportioned design is actually better-looking than the convertible, which is like saying Cindy Crawford is hotter than Eva Longoria—neither is a hag. But there's no denying the inherent curb appeal of a ragtop, which, frankly, is what many buyers want when shelling out $92,500 for what is essentially an automotive aperitif. And, boy, does this thing have curb appeal, securing the prized spot of every Southern California valet—some six of them total—to whom we tossed the key fob during our time with the Jag.
And evidently this design was no small feat. Callum has said it is far harder to get the proportions right on convertibles than coupes; thus, he directed his team to start with the convertible and, once it looked good, only then start work on the coupe. We won't argue with that approach, as it seems the team got both cars right. Whichever XKR you choose, its strong chin, mesh grillwork, hood nostrils, metal side vents, and standard 19-inch wheels add some attitude to the sexy but rather benign styling of the base XK.
