Special Cat on its way

Jaguar Australia is celebrating the British prestige marque's 75th anniversary this year with a limited run of the XKR Special Edition unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Just 10 cars will be imported, with retail sales commencing in October. At $272,000* they're not cheap, but then the standard XKR isn't cheap either -- and the Special Edition model represents a price hike of $17,000, which is reasonable value for the extra kit offered and the new car's collectability.

Finished in Polaris White, the 10 coupes also boast gloss-black grilles in the nose and front quarter panels, plus red brake calipers, gloss-black 20-inch Kalminos alloy wheels and a body-coloured aerodynamic pack. The aero pack comprises a chin spoiler at the front, a larger spoiler at the rear, a rear diffuser, side sills and the XKR legend emblazoned on the lower flanks.

Inside, the XKR Special Edition will feature Piano Black decorative trim and Warm Charcoal softgrain leather with Cranberry contrast stitching. Other features fitted as standard and in addition to the mainstream XKR spec include: 16-way heated and cooled seats with memory, Jet Suedecloth premium headlining, Flint Grey carpet and premium carpet mats, Bowers & Wilkins Premium Audio System, Fully carpeted boot well liner with an IMS (Instant Mobility System) in lieu of a space-saver spare wheel.

The 525-Watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system delivers Dolby ProLogic II surround sound via three channels, a "unique" amplifier and Kevlar speakers for the midrange plus aluminium tweeters.

Without the space-saver spare filling the wheel well in the rear of the car, Jaguar has tossed in an accessory suitcase to fill the 30-litre space left otherwise vacant.

Jaguar has left the engine's power and torque figures where they are (375kW of power, 625Nm of torque), but has tweaked the engine-management system to lift top speed from 250 to 280km/h. The acceleration time remains 4.8 seconds from 0 to 100km/h.

"The new XKR Special Edition is the most spectacular looking XKR ever from Jaguar and by raising the XKR's maximum speed, the new car has extended its sporting credentials taking it even further into supercar performance territory," says Jaguar Australia's General Manager, Kevin Goult.

* Manufacturer's list price, excluding on-road costs and dealer pre-delivery charge.

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