Faster Jag just electrickery?

Deep in throes of its alleged sale to Indian conglomerate, Tata, Jaguar needed to make a statement at Geneva... A 'we're here and we're healthy' type statement.

News that pre-orders for its new-generation XF saloon are strong worldwide was half of the equation, a hot headlining XK variant, the XKR-S the other... Alas rather than allowing its engineers to get jiggy with the svelte two-door's supercharged 4.2-litre V8, Jaguar made do with a tweak to the car's software.

The sports coupe V8's power and torque ratings are unchanged at 420bhp (SAE) and 560Nm of torque, however, the car will now run to 280km/h (174mph) before the limiter kicks in. Loosening the XKR-S speed limiter has resulted in the "fastest production XK to date" says Jaguar, to provide enthusiasts "with an even more driver-focussed high speed performance experience."

What has been changed is suspension and aerodynamics. The car's bodywork has been freshened with a new front splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser panel while the car has been lowered 10mm and features new springs, anti-roll bars and bespoke Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) tuning and dampers.

Wheels and tyres have been uprated to 20-inch units and the car also gets a faster ratio steering rack.

Brakes have also come in for a workover. The XKR-S' Alcon R Performance braking system features 400mm diameter discs on the front and 350mm discs at the rear. Each disc is "radially ventilated for maximum cooling and to resist fade even under the hardest use," says Jaguar.

Just 200 XKR-S examples will be built. But Aussie Jag enthusiasts need not apply -- though available in both right and left-hand drive, distribution will be limited to Europe, says the company.

A formal announcement regarding Ford's sale of Jaguar and sister brand, Land Rover, to Tata was expected at Geneva by many. Company insiders say the sale will now take place after Easter.

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