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Just looking at this car gives me the shivers in a good way though. It is almost certainly one of the prettiest cars ever built. Jaguar must have been delighted when the XK went into production. The range was updated in 2006, taking all of the best design details from the previous car and enhancing them to produce a car, which is nothing short of beautiful. Very few cars can compete with the current XK range in terms of looks - apart from the XKR Convertible. In profile, it looks like it's moving even when it's parked; from behind, its powerful haunches make it look like it's ready to pounce and from the front it looks like it just might eat you.

The green R' is an important suffix to the badge, it stands for Racing' and is a subtle way of telling the casual observer that the XKR is even more special that the XK. Aluminium vents in the front wings and a mesh grille at the front, as well as more pronounced supercharger accommodating bonnet-bulge that also gives the game away.

The smooth, fluid lines exude power, potential and menacing beauty, the XKR is muscular and well formed in every way. There is not one single aspect to the exterior or interior that I would change. The test car was a deep metallic blue, with cream leather interior and brushed aluminium trim (a departure from the dark wood that you usually associate with Jaguar)

The test car was supplied by Jaguar UK - I had the car for a week and made full use of it, commuting to and from work, attending meetings and general travelling but also a variety of
journeys that I probably wouldn't have made otherwise. I found it impossible to keep the XKR parked and when there was even a hint of sun, the top was down and I was away showing off somewhere.

The week that I had the car I drove to Dublin to visit a friend and I was really looking forward to taking the XKR on the 200 mile round trip. Despite the presence of the folding mechanism for the folding roof, the boot is more than adequate for a couple of days' luggage for a couple of people it will actually accommodate a standard-sized golf bag with room to spare. I lost count of the open mouthed stares that the XKR was given on the road to Dublin. Performance-wise there is very little on the road that can touch it,the big supercharged V8 can shift this car from 0-60 in five seconds. The throaty bellow and whine of the voluminous supercharger that accompanies hard acceleration is an absolute joy to listen to. The cabin is sumptuously comfortable and airy we arrived refreshed and ready for a night out in the
city, despite having just driven 100 miles.

Handling is sharp, accurate and responsive a huge amount of weight has been saved, thanks to an all-aluminium monocoque (one-piece) body structure, the chassis stiffness and improved geometry, combined with the fantastic performance and paddle-shift gearing system afforded the XKR the most exceptional performance dynamics.

This is a highly desirable and beautiful GT car, manufactured to a standard expected only from
Jaguar, with incredible performance dynamics and handling and a long andtrusted heritage.

Learn more about this author, Damian Doyle.
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