The Jaguar XKR-S Coupe stretches its legs at Goodwood. Image: Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar may be dropping the 2012 North American International Auto Show in favor of the Mumbai Auto Show, but the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) brand seems to be making up for it with a renewed focus on the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. Premiering at next week’s L.A. Auto Show is the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible, which will be the fastest drop-top to ever carry the “Growler” emblem.
How fast? The XKR-S Coupe’s 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 packs nearly 545 horsepower and just over 500 lb.-ft. of torque, which is good enough to hit sixty from a standing start in just 4.2 seconds. Top speed of the Coupe is a seriously quick 186 miles per hour, although it’s likely that the Convertible will be a few ticks slower (since it will carry extra chassis bracing) and may not have the same top-shredding maximum velocity.
That’s not all from Jaguar, either: the seriously sexy C-X16 Production Concept will make its North American debut in Los Angeles. Powered by a 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 good for 375 horsepower, the C-X16 also gets supplemental power from a 94 horsepower electric motor. A true “performance hybrid,” the C-X16 even boasts a “push to pass” feature, like a Formula 1 car.
Jaguar has indicated that the C-X16 will see “limited production,” but like Porsche’s 918 will be stratospherically expensive. We don’t expect any more news on this in Los Angeles, but we’ll be sure to update you if anything breaks.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
