LANCIA GAMMA COUPÉ 2.5 I.E.
Beauty comes first
JAGUAR XKR CONVERTIBLE
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
YEAR: 1998
Always considered an instant classic. Light, fast, soundless, effective: just like the feline of its logo. The R, flagship model of the XK range, stands out for its truly impressive performance. Passione Classica wanted—and found—a red one: option exclusive to the supercharged version.
Amongst the most beautiful convertibles of its kind.
Historical background
The rebirth with Ford
It is hard to write about the XK8/R without contextualising the period in which this project was born. In 1990 Ford acquired Jaguar, instilling doubt in Great Britain about the “Yankee” future of the marque, but also providing plenty of money to manage increasingly ambitious projects without necessarily interfering with the Coventry company’s philosophy. Regardless of the diffident diehard fans and under the leadership of Nick Scheele (from 1992 to 1999), the XK8 was introduced with project code X100 at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show. The name alone made it clear that the traditional English six cylinders were about to be replaced, which also caused scandalised reactions. The design, influenced by some of Keith Helfet’s prototypes, was made by Fergus Pollock (under the supervision of Design Director Geoff Lawson). The new XK8 carried the legacy of the illustrious E-Type and the Hypercar XJ220, and was extraordinarily balanced between elegance and sportiness.
Conspicuous but not loud, bold without being tasteless, the new coupé immediately won the heart of aficionados, who acknowledged it as the worthy heir of a dynasty started fifty years before with the XK120.
In 1997 the convertible was presented and, a year later, the XKR in both body type variants. This latest model was the top of the range, and was equipped with a 4 L supercharged and intercooled V8 for a maximum power output of 363 hp. A few classy aesthetic details distinguished it from the naturally aspirated version, such as the mesh grille, the exclusive rims, the two characteristic air inlets in the bonnet, and the emblem with red background and the “Supercharged” lettering.
In Italy, the Jaguar XKR Convertible appeared in Quattroruote in 1998, priced at 174,400,000 liras. After one restyling in 2002, the X100 ended its career in 2006 with about 13,800 R convertibles produced.
Technical specifications
- BODY STYLE: Cabriolet
- SEATS: 2+2
- LENGTH: 476 cm
- WIDTH: 183 cm
- HEIGHT: 130 cm
- WEIGHT: 1780 kg
- ENGINE: Supercharged V8
- DISPLACEMENT: 3,996 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: About 363 hp
- FUEL TYPE: Petrol
- DRIVETRAIN: RWD
- TRANSMISSION: Automatic
- SPEED: 250 km/h, limited
Driving experience – Supercharged
The XK (X100) is an example of how the Ford ownership had a positive influence on the care applied in the assembly and, in general, on Jaguar’s reliability. The previous model, the XJS, especially the vehicles built before 1991, disappointed many an owner particularly because of poor customer care. This new attitude was already evident in the XK8 and even more in this XKR Convertible, flagship of the model. Mechanically the car is solid and reliable, with only one structural flaw that can however be fixed (we will talk about this later.) The introduction of the V8, so reviled at the presentation, received a positive reaction from even the most extreme fans after road testing, which was encouraged by all sales network dealers.
Driving a Jaguar is a matter of passion and this Jaguar XKR Convertible is no exception: the car has an important road presence, despite its definitely not massive size. This stylistic trait is reflected in the engine’s behaviour that, though silent and docile, can be terrifically effective and powerful, without necessarily flaunting the loud, raucous voice typical of many of its competitors. Like in almost every Jaguar product, in the Jaguar XKR Convertible there is no ostentatiousness, only the self-awareness of a car that does not need to announce its presence with obnoxious exhausts but that will nonetheless turn many heads as it passes. Two souls coexist in this car. One belongs to a saloon, and allows you to enjoy a relaxed trip on comfortable leather seats, lulled by the wind; the other belongs to a supercar, whose 505 N m of torque provide top-notch performance. In this continuous alternation of comfort and sportiness, a key role is played by the CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension, standard equipment on the R) that keeps in check such power bursts by improving adhesion and monitoring the vehicle’s behaviour. All managed by a reliable Mercedes-derived transmission, fitted only in the supercharged version, to cope with the high torque values.The 100 km/h are only 5.6 seconds away, and in just 16 seconds the sky will open above. Jaguar’s XKR Convertible flies, so much so that even the distinctive acceleration noise resembles that of an aeroplane taking off.
Passione Classica’s Jaguar XKR Convertible
This Jaguar’s colour scheme, Phoenix Red and Cashmere leather interior, is hard to find because in most cases the vehicles available are painted either grey or the more conventional blue or green . Red is more exclusive, as it was used for the presentation of the R and was only available for the most powerful version. Made in March 1998 as declared in the Daimler/Jaguar Heritage Certificate, and shipped from the factory the following month, this convertible is already of historical interest—the statement in the vehicle registration certificate may serve as confirmation to qualify for car tax and insurance benefits.
The key factor in the choice of a classic car is its condition and, as it is always the case for Passione Classica’s cars, mechanical works not only included a motor oil change and filter cleaning, but also a full inspection. The documented works performed on this car amount to a whopping 9,000 euros and included a complete lubricant replacement—transmission, differential, and hood (which no one ever thinks about)—as well as installation of a timing chain tensioner kit due to an issue acknowledged by Jaguar yet never really solved. Those tensioners were originally made of plastic, which caused abnormal wear with a risk of severely damaging the engine. The installation of said kit, not provided by Jaguar, entails many hours of work to reach the faulty components. All of this is a considerable plus to find in a Jaguar, especially if supported by invoices and pictures. A huge difference compared to most of the cars found online, which are presented with a list of works penned on simple paper or even described orally… Choosing an XKR therefore means deciding between the “I want to but I cannot” at bargain prices (only to have to deal with painful surprises later) and the awareness that the car parked in your garage is in good mechanical shape.
This Jaguar comes with the famous green Valet key, the Jaguar booklets and the new original cashmere-coloured tonneau cover. This XKR Convertible is a vintage car ready to be enjoyed and of sure revaluation because it is capable of telling the story of a marque and its values: its shape encompasses over fifty years of life of a glorious model. It is already a timeless classic.
Driving experience – Supercharged
The XK (X100) is an example of how the Ford ownership had a positive influence on the care applied in the assembly and, in general, on Jaguar’s reliability. The previous model, the XJS, especially the vehicles built before 1991, disappointed many an owner particularly because of poor customer care. This new attitude was already evident in the XK8 and even more in this XKR Convertible, flagship of the model. Mechanically the car is solid and reliable, with only one structural flaw that can however be fixed (we will talk about this later.) The introduction of the V8, so reviled at the presentation, received a positive reaction from even the most extreme fans after road testing, which was encouraged by all sales network dealers.
Driving a Jaguar is a matter of passion and this XKR Convertible is no exception: the car has an important road presence, despite its definitely not massive size. This stylistic trait is reflected in the engine’s behaviour that, though silent and docile, can be terrifically effective and powerful, without necessarily flaunting the loud, raucous voice typical of many of its competitors. Like in almost every Jaguar product, in the XKR there is no ostentatiousness, only the self-awareness of a car that does not need to announce its presence with obnoxious exhausts but that will nonetheless turn many heads as it passes. Two souls coexist in this car. One belongs to a saloon, and allows you to enjoy a relaxed trip on comfortable leather seats, lulled by the wind; the other belongs to a supercar, whose 505 N m of torque provide top-notch performance. In this continuous alternation of comfort and sportiness, a key role is played by the CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension, standard equipment on the R) that keeps in check such power bursts by improving adhesion and monitoring the vehicle’s behaviour. All managed by a reliable Mercedes-derived transmission, fitted only in the supercharged version, to cope with the high torque values.The 100 km/h are only 5.6 seconds away, and in just 16 seconds the sky will open above. Jaguar’s XKR Convertible flies, so much so that even the distinctive acceleration noise resembles that of an aeroplane taking off.
Passione Classica’s Jaguar XKR Convertible
This Jaguar’s colour scheme, Phoenix Red and Cashmere leather interior, is hard to find because in most cases the vehicles available are painted either grey or the more conventional blue or green . Red is more exclusive, as it was used for the presentation of the R and was only available for the most powerful version. Made in March 1998 as declared in the Daimler/Jaguar Heritage Certificate, and shipped from the factory the following month, this convertible is already of historical interest—the statement in the vehicle registration certificate may serve as confirmation to qualify for car tax and insurance benefits.
The key factor in the choice of a classic car is its condition and, as it is always the case for Passione Classica’s cars, mechanical works not only included a motor oil change and filter cleaning, but also a full inspection. The documented works performed on this car amount to a whopping 9,000 euros and included a complete lubricant replacement—transmission, differential, and hood (which no one ever thinks about)—as well as installation of a timing chain tensioner kit due to an issue acknowledged by Jaguar yet never really solved. Those tensioners were originally made of plastic, which caused abnormal wear with a risk of severely damaging the engine. The installation of said kit, not provided by Jaguar, entails many hours of work to reach the faulty components. All of this is a considerable plus to find in a Jaguar, especially if supported by invoices and pictures. A huge difference compared to most of the cars found online, which are presented with a list of works penned on simple paper or even described orally… Choosing an XKR therefore means deciding between the “I want to but I cannot” at bargain prices (only to have to deal with painful surprises later) and the awareness that the car parked in your garage is in good mechanical shape.
This Jaguar comes with the famous green Valet key, the Jaguar booklets and the new original cashmere-coloured tonneau cover. This XKR Convertible is a vintage car ready to be enjoyed and of sure revaluation because it is capable of telling the story of a marque and its values: its shape encompasses over fifty years of life of a glorious model. It is already a timeless classic.
Price
€ 36,500.00
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