The Jaguar XKR has the heart of a pure sports car. It combines effortless high-performance and state-of-the-art V8 powertrains with a whole new ballgame of intuitive control, advanced technologies and Jaguar's expertly crafted, luxury interiors. The range comprises naturally aspirated XK and supercharged Jaguar XKR models, available in 2+2 coupe or convertible body styles.
Significant improvements in power and torque are brought by all-new AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0-litre direct-injection engines – and this is without compromising fuel economy and emissions. In both respects, every model in the new XK range, in spite of such large performance and flexibility gains across the board, is comparable to their predecessors.
The impressive fuel economy for such powerful cars is attributable to the combination of the XK range's lowest-in-class weight and the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III engines. As well as the intrinsic advantages of the engines' light weight, these advanced all-aluminium four-cam power units have a number of features that deliver power with very high efficiency, including spray-guided direct injection (SGDI), which improves performance and economy, and dual independent variable cam timing (DIVCT), which benefits performance and economy, while also reducing emissions.
AUDI R8
Sales began for the Audi R8 in the first half of 2007 for the US and Europe, but the 2010 Audi model seems newer and is more powerful one than previous iterations. The Quattro all-wheel drive is still there with the notable mid mounted engine – for the 2008 year the first for a sports car - and the entry level 4.2 has a 420 bhp 4.2 V8, but new for this year is the 5.2, with an impressive 525 bhp V10. Both are available in manual 6-speed transmission or Audi’s R tronic 6-speed automated manual. Included are ABS, traction control, antiskid system, side airbags, and knee airbags, with leather upholstery, heated seats and wireless cellphone link as standard. The 5.2 offers a high end Bang & Olufsen audio system together with hill-holder clutch, front and rear obstacle detection, navigation system and rearview camera.
Behind the wheel, you experience the ample thrust of the V8 through its 309 kW of power output – and then some. Indeed, the extent of the forward motion equates to 0-62 mph in a crunching 4.1 seconds. The model is fitted with permanent four-wheel drive, distributing the power variably to the front and rear axles by way of the viscous clutch.
The main difference between the V8 and the V10? Where the regular 4.2 V8 is, while not exactly slow, adequate – the V10 is just stunningly fast. Audi hasn’t transformed the R8 by adding a pair of cyclinders R8 V10 is basically an R8 V8 that's faster, a little grippier, and better equipped.
The entire production process of the R8 is organized in the same way as a craft workshop, with small teams of specialists accompanying every step of production . This ensures that every one of the maximum of 15 cars per day is built up to quality standards – and the end result is some quality indeed.
