Pros:  Stunning good looks, Jag pedigree, Jealous looks from passersby.

Cons: Price, Complicated audio, climate and navigation controls, Disappointing performance and steering.

In the Cars section of the January issue of Car & Travel, we rated a new book on the history of the Jaguar Motor Car Company. It seemed a natural connection to evaluate one of its new cars for our website.

The XKR Coupe, also called the Portfolio, continues the tradition of good-looking cars from the company based in Coventry, England. Going back to the 50’s era D-Type, then with the E and lately with the XJ sedan, Jag-u-ar has produced some beautiful looking cars. The XK is no different. Long, low, with almost sensuous curves, a forceful looking nose and purposeful rear, the car combines a modern and somewhat retro look that harkens back to the prior lookers from the maker. If the reaction from passersby is any indication, the car is good looking indeed. The interior is also pleasing with leather, wood and metal combined in a fashionably contemporary style.

Start the engine and a beautiful staccato rumble flows from the exhaust. Psychological studies have found that humans are more attracted to low, basso profoundo exhaust tones. The human test subjects who prompted researchers to come to such conclusions, would be happy in the presence of this Jaguar.

But, if those ginuea pigs had to drive the car, they might be a little disappointed. We sure were. With 420 supercharged horsepower, you’d think the XK would be a fearsome bullet. But no comparison to anything ballistic should be applied to the car. Rather than accelerate, it sort of gathers speed, needing to get into the upper rev range of the engine to really push. The transmission doesn’t seem to be in a big hurry to do its job, shifting leisurely, even in the manual shift mode.  The car’s no slug, but with the numbers it has, we just expected more. Also, the car squats on acceleration, a trait usually admired since it puts more weight on the driving wheels in a rear wheel drive car creating more traction. But when this rear dips, the front rises which seems to lighten the steering, making it less precise. Also, the car comes equipped with speed sensitive steering, which may play a roll in the mushy response.

Look inside the big wheels and you see big brake discs with large multi-piston calipers. They do their job well. Mash the brake pedal hard at speed and the car brakes with a violence that throws you against the shoulder strap. At low speeds, braking is so strong you’ll need a moment to gather yourself after experiencing the g-force.

The suspension lacks suppleness with the overall impression of a hard ride and handling that degrades on poor roads. Go into a turn with bumps and you’re bouncing all over the place. Get to a stretch of smooth road and the car corners very well, to a point. The car wants to slide the rear at the hint of throttle applied in a turn and the stability control very forcefully kicks in to keep the car under control. Even when you switch the system off, it still intervenes, though with less gusto, to keep you from completely losing control. It seems that Jaguar engineers realized that with so much power and rear-drive, the average driver might be caught by surprise if they gave it too much gas in a turn. This seems to point to some basic design deficiencies that would make the car too difficult to manage if it lacked the electronic controls.

Electronics plays a role in another part of the car that frustrates, namely the touch display that controls audio, climate and navigation systems. Far too many distracting touches are required to go from mode to mode to adjust temperature, than tune a radio station or select a CD, and then get back to the navigation mode. You absolutely must have a passenger perform these functions, or, be on an arrow straight road in Montana with no traffic for miles for the driver to manipulate these annoying controls. 

Gas mileage is no great shakes, especially if you like to use the acceleration. But, a person that could afford this car, probably isn’t worried about the price of gas. What should worry the person is value for their dollar. We just don’t think this car delivers a near one hundred thousand dollar driving experience. You can get a car with greater performance, better handling, a usable back seat, (the Jag’s is suitable only for parcels having no leg room) accurate steering and style nearly as good for many thousands less. But, this is a Jag, and for those who place value in being able to say they drive one, the car’s quirks might not be so bothersome at all. We hope they enjoy themselves.

EPA mileage city 15, highway 23
Fuel tank capacity 18.8 gallons
Engine 4.2L supercharged V8
Horsepower 420 @ 6,000 rpm
Acceleration, 0-60 mph 4.9 seconds
Braking 60-0 mph 122 feet
Curb weight 3,814