Jaguar has revealed its fastest, most powerful convertible to date. The XKR-S Convertible is powered by the same 550hp supercharged V8 that has no trouble unsticking the rear tyres of the XKR-S coupé we drove earlier this year. The open-topped version hits the same 300km/h top speed and manages the 0-100km/h sprint in the same exhilarating 4.4 seconds.
There's also 680Nm of torque on tap so there'll be precious reason to change gear for yourself. Feel the need and there are paddles behind the steering wheel to override the six-speed automatic's calibration. One excuse you'll have to use those paddles is the occasional gratuitous down-change. Surely the biggest reason for choosing the Convertible over the XKR-S coupé is to be closer to the sound coming from the exhaust? Jaguar calls the updated system a Performance Active exhaust - and believe me when I say this car sounds special.
As you'd hope, the XKR-S Convertible's chassis has been tweaked in line with the fixed-head version and Jaguar promises that its dynamics will be just as, well, dynamic. There's a long list of mechanical changes, with detail updates over and above the coupé's, including a bespoke calibration of the adaptive damping.
The XKR-S Convertible looks the part too, featuring the coupé's aggressive front end and body kit. The rear wing (with a bit of carbon fibre of course) is different to the coupé's and looks more prominent and the 10mm ride height reduction is emphasised by stunning 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior features carbon-look leather seats and other tactile bits and pieces.
Following its world debut at the LA Auto Show today (November 16, 2011), the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible should go on sale in the New Year. Can't see there being many takers in Ireland sadly.