Jaguar Debuts XKR175 Coupe Special Edition at Pebble Beach

Another show, another special edition Jaguar model in celebration of the British firm's 75th anniversary. The place; Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance. The car; 2011 XKR175 Coupe. Designed exclusively for North America, production of the XKR175 will be limited to 175 vehicles at an MSRP of $104,500 (including destination charge), with 15 of those heading up north to Canada.

Based on the XKR that's powered by a supercharged V8 with 510hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, the special edition receives a revised aerodynamic package incorporating a new front air dam, side sills, a different rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler along with 20-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers. It will be available only in one color, Jaguar's Ultimate Black paint.

While mechanical components are left intact, the Tata-owned company's engineers raised the car's top speed to an electronically-limited 174mph (280km/h).

Interior upgrades concern the individual door sill tread plates reading "XKR175 - 1 of 175", the 'Warm Charcoal' leather seats with 'Cranberry' stitching and Piano Black wood veneer trim.

Jaguar Celebrates 75th Anniversary with "XKR 75" Special

A hotter version of the XKR coupe celebrating Jaguar's 75th anniversary will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2. The 'XJR 75' features some subtle performance and cosmetic enhancements and will be built in a limited run of 75 cars that will be available only in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Belgium.

Jaguar engineers massaged the XKR's 5.0-litre supercharged engine to produce 530-horsepower and 655Nm / 483 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 20HP and 30Nm respectively over the standard model. The British company says that the XKR 75's 0-60mph (96km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h).

The company also revised the XKR 75's suspension with stiffer springs, dropped the ride height by 15mm and re-tuned the Adaptive Dynamics damper control software and the Active Differential Control. A more sonorous sport exhaust system rounds off the performance upgrades.

Other changes include a new aerodynamic body kit with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler, while the coupe also gets red brake callipers and 20-inch Vortex forged lightweight alloy wheels. The XKR 75 will be offered in a new Stratus Grey finish while owners will have the option to apply a unique body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.

Finally, the XKR 75's interior is finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch and features a piano black finish to the facia and centre console and a Jet suedecloth headlining.

In the UK, the new Jag which will be available to order from July 2010 with pricing set at £85,500 OTR. First customer deliveries will commence during October.

THE XKR 75 AT A GLANCE

• Increased performance through detailed engine and transmission recalibration
  
  • Power increased to 530PS (compared to 510 PS on XKR)
    Torque increased to 655Nm (compared to 625Nm on XKR)
    Upgraded torque converter to handle the increased torque
    
• Upgraded suspension systems for increased precision and agility
  
  • Increased spring and damper rates (front springs 28 per cent stiffer, rear springs 32 per cent stiffer)
    
  • New fully-machined aluminium front and revised rear suspension upright for increased camber stiffness (increased by 25 per cent)
    
  • Re-tuned Adaptive Dynamics damper control software
    
  • Reduced ride height (15mm front and 10mm rear)
    
• Aerodynamic body pack with body coloured finish to front splitter, side sills extensions and rear diffuser, and body coloured larger rear spoiler and rear trunk lid finisher
  
• Sports exhaust with improved performance and acoustics – system has new crossover pipe and larger exhaust outlets
  
• New Stratus Grey exterior paint with optional graphics pack
  
• Red brake callipers and 20" Vortex forged lightweight alloy wheels, diamond turned with dark grey finish
  
• XKR performance interior in Charcoal and Ivory stitch leather, with Jet suedecloth headlining and XKR 75 tread plate
  
• Active front lighting
  
• Final calibration was done in partnership with the RSR engineering team which has been collaborating with Jaguar on the 2010 motorsport programme.