The Jaguar XKR-S Convertible was unveiled today at the 2011 LA Auto Show, and the company says it will go on sale at the beginning of next year. The convertible version of the Jaguar XKR-S is powered by the same 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 engine as the coupe. The XKR-S convertible outputs 550PS (405kW) and 502lb/ft (680Nm) of torque. Jaguar's official specifications say that the open-top XKR-S is able to 60 mph from a standing start in 4.2 seconds and 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The XKR-S convertible is rated with a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).
The convertible XKR-S Jag features a new exterior design, developed with the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics, which gives it a Cd (aerodynamic coefficient) of 0.35-0.38.
The front of Jag's XKR-S Convertible shows a much more aggressive bumper, a new hood with air vent for cooling the engine, a carbon fiber splitter and twin side nacelles. At the rear, the XKR-S Convertible features a carbon fiber wing, and a new rear apron with an integrated carbon diffuser. The whole car sits 10 mm closer to the ground. Jaguar says that the new aerodynamics of the XKR-S convertible help reduce its lift by 26%.
By losing its roof, the XKR-S Convertible also looses part of its rigidity.
Jaguar helped counteract this by using a lightweight aluminum architecture, which actually manages to make the XKR-S the stiffest convertible in its class. Jaguar also updated the suspension in the case of the convertible XKR S, which also comes with an upgraded Adaptive Dynamics system.
The Jaguar XKR-S Convertible roof can be opened and closed in just 18 seconds. We'd prefer it down so we could hear the "music" of the XKR-S active exhaust system.
The Jaguar XKR-S Convertible price list in the UK will start at around £103,000 GBP. Watch the XKR-S Convertible Jag in action in the two videos lower down this page. The complete specifications of the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible can be found here.
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible Nurburgring Video:
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible Promotional Video:
