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Jaguar's 390kW 75th bday present

Jaguar will produce 75 very special and even more dynamically focussed XKRs to mark the company’s diamond anniversary.
Jaguar will produce 75 very special and even more dynamically focussed XKRs to mark the company’s diamond anniversary.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary Jaguar has released a new limited edition version of its XKR, based on the hardcore special edition car shown off at last year's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Jaguar's birthday present to itself is a more hardcore XKR - sure to please owners who are members of the gentleman's club of hooligan drivers.

The rather unimaginatively-named XKR 75’s styling is upgraded with a revised air flow management kit tallying a front splitter, side sill extensions, an aft diffuser and sizeable rear spoiler.

Rolling unique 20-inch Vortex forged alloy wheels (hiding those new red brake calipers) the XKR 75 will limited to a production run of only, well, 75 units – obviously. Suffice to say, the odds of one XKR 75 owner happening upon another at a trackday or concourse event is quite rare.

Don’t dismiss the XKR 75 as a cynical marketing exercise though. The direct-injection, supercharged 5l V8 benefits from a recalibrated ECU to bump power output to 390kW and swell peak rotational force from 625- to 655Nm.

In terms of performance the XKR 75 trims 0.2 seconds off the stock XKR’s 0-100km/h sprint time (down from 4.7 to 4.5 sec) whilst top speed is electronically limited to 280km/h.

An upgraded torque converted ensures the six-speed automatic transmission is equal to the task of channelling the newfound power to the rear wheels.

The XKR 75’s increased dynamics are not limited to simple kilometre per hour statistics. More rebound resistant spring and damper rates (28% front, 32% rear), increased camber resistance (up 25%) and a ride height reduction (15mm on the front axle, 10mm at the rear) ensure the XKR 75 is suitably at home navigating racing circuits or quiet country lanes.

Jaguar is set to deliver the 75 cars by October to customers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands at a retail price of $128 000.

The XKR 75 is based on the special edition Shrek green XKR showcased by Jaguar engineer and driving genius Mike Cross at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year. Cross has confirmed the XKR 75 is able to lap the Nurburgring in a time of under eight minutes.

Jaguar boss Mike O’Driscoll also promised the XRK 75 will be capable of a top speed beyond the psychological 300km/h barrier, with the electronic limiter disabled.

Is the XKR 75 a poignant reminder of all things great about Jaguar or a rather pointless special edition? Share your thoughts here...

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