New XKR-S GT is fastest Jaguar since XJ220 supercar

Jaguar has released its fastest road car since the XJ220 of the early 1990s -- but Australia may miss out on the scalded cat.

So far Jaguar has committed to building only 25 of the lightweight special models for North America and 5 for Canada. But if there is demand then Jaguar will make the XKR-S in limited numbers for other markets, including Australia.

“If we get orders we can build more,” Jaguar spokesman Jonathan Griffiths told reporters at the unveiling of the XKR-S GT on the eve of the New York motor show overnight. “If Australia wanted the car it would be available to them.”

In the US the XKR-S GT is about 30 per cent dearer than the regular XKR-S on which it is based. In Australia, that model costs $299,000, which means a likely price-tag of $400,000 if the XKR-S GT were to be sold locally.

The XKR-S GT has no more power than the supercharged 5.0-litre that appears in the current flagship model (404kW and 680Nm). But a number of weight saving measures give it marginally quicker acceleration.

The main focus for Jaguar has been on aerodynamics and chassis development, including the fitment of a new steering rack from the upcoming F-type sports car, height-adjustable dampers and race-ready Pirelli Corsa tyres.

Subtle fins on the front bumper and a massive rear wing -- made from carbon fibre -- provide extra downforce, while special undertrays help it slip through the air more efficiently.

The XKR-S GT is the first Jaguar with carbon-ceramic brakes, said to trim 21kg from the car’s overall weight. The 20-inch forged alloy wheels are also lighter than the standard items but Jaguar did not specify by how much.

The seats are covered in a suede finish rather than leather to provide better lateral grip in high-speed driving, but still have the electric adjustment found on the standard car because it would be too expensive to re-engineer lightweight seats.

The bonnet has extra vents to release under-bonnet pressure and improve engine cooling. The rear wing is said to add 146kg of downforce at the car’s limited top speed of 300km/h.

The Jaguar XKR-S GT’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 may have the same power as before but it’s still a formidable package. It has the same power as the twin turbo 3.5 V6 in the XJ220 supercar of the early 1990s (404kW) but more torque (680Nm compared to the XJ220’s 645Nm).

The Jaguar XKR-S GT was honed on the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany, the same test base used by Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz (and others) to develop their cars for decades.

XJ220 (1992 to 1994)

Price: $600,000
Engine: 3.5-litre twin turbo V6
Power: 404kW and 645Nm
Weight: 1372kg
Acceleration: 0 to 96km/h (60mph) is 3.6 seconds. 0 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds (estimated)
Top speed: 349km/h
Number built: 281

XKR-S GT (2013 to 2014)

Price: $400,000 (estimated)
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Power: 404kW and 680Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Weight: Less than 1753kg (estimated)
Acceleration: 0 to 96km/h (60mph) is 3.9 seconds. 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds (estimated)
Top speed: 300km/h (limited)
Number built: 30 (25 for the US and 5 for Canada)

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling