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2004 Jaguar XK-RS Convertible Concept

Racing Truly Improves the Breed

It looks like a Jaguar XKR convertible, but appearances can be deceiving. Its wheels have been upsized to three-piece twenty-inch units wrapped in 285/20ZR 20s up front and 325/20ZR 20 performance rubber in the rear, while the front, side and rear sills have been extended. The front grille is now in bright silver trim instead of the typical mesh.

Perhaps the double roll bar and deep rear diffuser will catch the eye of motorsports fanatics? To the average eye, however, this is merely artistic rendering on an already sporting automobile.

Again, although it looks like a sport tuned XKR convertible beneath the black paintjob featuring the automakers

Jaguar has transformed the luxury XKR grand touring convertible into a true jaguar. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

leaping cat logo is a completely different car. Jaguar has transformed the luxury grand touring convertible into a true jaguar, rather than a docile little pussy cat.

What did it take to do that? The displacement of the production 4.2-liter V8 got bumped up to a full 5.0 liters for starters, and as if the larger engine wasnt enough an Eaton supercharger was strapped on. Output grew by a full 150 horsepower to an impressive 550, while torque is an identical 550 lb-ft.

The 550-hp 5.0-liter V8 takes the fast cat from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

To deal with the additional grunt, its mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox as opposed to the typical Jaguar J-gate automatic.

As expected, the abilities of the XK-RS are extremely impressive, taking just 3.8 seconds to hit 60 mph, a faster sprint than any current production Jaguar. Despite being an open topped convertible, which are generally less efficient than hardtop coupes at high speed due to drag, Jaguar has stated its maximum velocity is 200 mph, beating out all current production Jags which are limited to 155 mph. To haul the XK-RS down from such speeds are heavily upgraded racing brakes both front and rear.

The

While most of the XKs cabin remains intact, much of it is covered in carbon fiber paneling. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

conversion from boulevard cruiser to the racecar-esque XK-RS blends road-going technology with the best of the racing car world. Its interior, on the other hand, seems to be somewhere in the middle. While most of the XKs cabin remains intact, many details have been changed. Where the instrumentation would normally be located, directly in front of the driver, is a blanked out sheet of carbon fiber paneling. Where the airbag would normally be is a carbon-fiber wheel cover with an integrated digital display. The center TFT/LCD display on the console has been left intact, but the climate controls have been tossed out for a simple three-button setup. The stock stereo unit was also ripped out and replaced with a lightweight version. Such was the reason for eliminating all luxury amenities. Just the same, in an effort to save weight youd think

Sadly this impressive car is a one-off project, so dont expect to see the XK-RS hitting the streets anytime soon. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

550 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque ought to be enough to balance the weight of a traditional instrument cluster.

To make the XK-RS a star on the track, Jaguar reworked the chassis to accommodate the extra power. Having learnt a thing or two in various racing programs, Jaguar has tweaked the XK-RS to be reactive in the corners, as well as lightning-quick and rock steady on the straights. The transformation was done as a team effort with Rocketsports Racing as a one-off project, so dont expect to see the XK-RS hitting the streets anytime soon. Youre about as likely to see the TRANS-AM series XKR racer on the road as one of these, simply because of the impracticalities associated with it.

Although the speed and power are tempting, a Jaguar without all the trimmings and refinement just isnt a Jaguar, at least not anymore. The days of the D-Type are over, unfortunately. The RS is merely a power tool to boost Jaguars sporting image, and its a very impressive power tool at that.

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