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Jaguar Cars is adding even more appeal to the ‘must have’ XKR with the unveiling of the all-new special edition Portfolio model. The 4.2-litre supercharged sports car will be sold worldwide and each one will feature notable additions to the already strong specification of the XKR, which is capable of hitting an electronically controlled top speed of 155mph and can accelerate to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds (5.0 seconds for the convertible).

The XKR’s already powerful sporting styling cues – an enhanced front bumper, bonnet louvres and aluminium-finish grilles and side power vents – will remain and exclusive Celestial Black exterior paint and 20-inch polished Cremona five-spoke alloy wheels add to the overall presence.

The XKR’s interior represents a truly sophisticated yet driver-focussed environment thanks to class-leading ergonomics, user-friendly in-car technology and simple, clear information displays in the instrument panel and main dashboard area.

The XKR Portfolio will combine this acclaimed design and performance with Jaguar’s engineering and craftsmanship skills to take the XKR to an even higher level. Every XKR benefits from its class-leading, advanced aluminium construction, which ensures that its power is matched by a dynamic, lightweight chassis that handles supremely, rides exceptionally well and stops with surefooted reassurance time after time.

Now, to offer even greater braking ability, Jaguar’s Special Vehicles team has worked alongside leading brake manufacturer Alcon to create the largest, most powerful brakes a production Jaguar has ever carried. After extensive testing by experts at Jaguar’s specialist engineering centre (which is based next to the legendary Nurburgring race circuit in Germany), the new XKR Portfolio braking system was conceived.

400mm front brake discs – an increase of 45mm over the standard XKR – are retarded by powerful six-piston callipers, while at the rear four-piston calipers operate on 350mm discs. Innovative race-developed crescent-shaped grooves cut into the surface of the discs prevent a build-up of deposits on the brake pads and improve braking performance under extreme use.

By allowing the heat created within the system to dissipate quickly and efficiently the XKR Portfolio’s brakes produce fade-free performance whilst maintaining Jaguar renowned blend of refinement and stopping power. Unique ‘R’ branding on the front brake calipers reveals the six-piston set-up beneath.

Surrounding the XKR Portfolio’s brakes are polished 20-inch five-spoke Cremona wheels, while behind the front wheels sit all-new Power Vents which are hewn from polished aluminium and incorporate the indicator side repeater and Jaguar signature ‘ingot’. An exclusive Celestial Black exterior paint will also serve to differentiate the XKR Portfolio edition. (UK and Switzerland have a Liquid Silver paint option as well.)

A host of new additions to the interior further the luxurious look and feel of the XKR Portfolio. A unique, and quite beautiful, Engine-Spun aluminium veneer is standard on the Portfolio, while customers will also have the option of an elegant Satin American Walnut veneer. A new alloy and leather gearshift selector, soft-grab door handles, contrast stitching throughout the cabin, leather-edged mats with a Jaguar logo and distinctive Portfolio treadplates on the doorsills complete the effect.

The XKR Portfolio also marks another first for Jaguar: the first production example of its new partnership with renowned audio entertainment specialists Bowers & Wilkins. This world-leading loudspeaker manufacturer worked alongside Jaguar to create a stunning speaker system for the recent C-XF concept car, but the XKR Portfolio is the first production Jaguar to benefit from the relationship.

Taking Jaguar’s 525W Premium Audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound as a starting point, Bowers & Wilkins have crafted a signature speaker system specifically for the XKR’s cabin. High-output, low-distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminium-dome tweeters deliver superb mid-range and extended high-frequency responses.

The new Jaguar XKR Portfolio special edition is available to order from the end of March 2007.

Jaguar’s new XKR Coupé is being revealed to a new audience today at the Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham, and in a new guise

Buckingham-based Apex Motorsport, under the direction of Richard Lloyd, has developed the stunning XKR model for use in the FIA GT3 European Championship. It is being revealed in the ‘flesh’ for the first time to the world’s motorsport media at what is recognised to be globally one of the biggest and most successful motorsport shows.

Lloyd and Apex have enjoyed huge racing success in the past, most recently with Bentley with whom they won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans. “It was obvious to us that the Jaguar name was missing from the list of GT3 contenders,” said Lloyd. “We believe the new XKR has great potential for success, and Team Manager Dave Ward and the guys have been working flat out since receiving our first car at the end of September. We’ve still got a mountain to climb with roll out and first test scheduled to take place within the next five weeks and, of course, the first race of the season at Silverstone in May. The first car is sold and we have received very positive interest for another two so we’re confident there will be plenty of Jaguars in the FIA paddock and in other emerging GT3 series around the world.”

While Apex has Jaguar’s blessing to compete with the XKR GT3, this is not a factory motorsport programme and the Apex race activities are independent of Jaguar. At the time of the programme’s announcement in September, Stuart Dyble, Jaguar Board Director and Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe, said, “We welcome this initiative which will result in production Jaguar sportscars being seen once again on race circuits across Europe. We have just launched the all new Jaguar XKR road car, and GT3 is the natural race series in which to compete.”

The Jaguar XKR GT3, featuring a 4.2 litre V8 supercharged engine, retains the aluminium body of its production cousin, but has had modifications made in line with the regulations. Draft technical specifications are attached but the definitive specification will be revealed following the official FIA track tests, the first of which takes place at Monza on February 22/23.

The first car to be built by Apex Motorsport has already been sold to Stuart Scott, Managing Director of East Anglia’s most successful travel management company, Cambridge Business Travel. Scott, who has most recently been racing in the British GT Cup, will be driving the Jaguar in a programme of six events with a yet-to-be-named co-driver. He said of his involvement, “I feel privileged to be here at the beginning of this project. In my racing past I have always tried to do something that’s a ‘first’ or a bit different, and to take delivery of the first XKR race car is a dream come true. I’ve been aware of Richard and Apex for a long time and to now be part of such a professional team is wonderful.”

The FIA GT3 European Championship is already a very marketable racing series for teams and manufacturers, using sexy coupés that are closer to their road-car origins and therefore less expensive to build and to run. The series captured the imaginations and interest of competitors and fans alike in its inaugural 2006 season with some 40 entries, and looks set to be strengthened further with the addition of Jaguars to the starting line up. Each manufacturer is represented by up to six entries ensuring a fair distribution of honours, and the performance between the different marques is balanced by the use of success penalties. Entry is aimed at gentlemen and non professional drivers graded by the FIA via a combination of racing experience and age.

The five round Championship begins in May at Silverstone, then travels to Bucharest (ROM), Monza (I) and Brno (CZ) in Europe before finishing in Dubai in November. Some owners may also plan on entering the non Championship GT3 race within the Spa 24 Hours event in Belgium at the end of July.

JAGUAR XKR GT3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Engine: Supercharged 4.2 litre, V8 petrol
Transmission: Hewland 6-speed sequential trans-axle
Steering: Electric hydraulic power assisted
Clutch: Alcon 140mm triple-plate carbon/carbon
Suspension: 4-way adjustable coil over dampers
Brakes: Alcon 6-pot front callipers on 375mm discs; Alcon 4-pot rear callipers on 330mm discs
Wheels and tyres: OZ Racing 18 x 11” rims front and rear; Michelin 11” racing tyres front and rear
Body: Aluminium with integrated T45 steel roll cage
Length: 4900mm
Width: 1892mm
Wheelbase: 2752mm
Maximum power: 475+ bhp
Power to weight ratio: TBA
Maximum torque: TBA