2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible Debuts: Just 25 Will Come to the U.S.

With its 550-hp supercharged V-8, snarling exhaust note, and no-ordinary-housecat body mods, the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S coupe is a serious performance machine. But for every coupe fan, there is another person—often the coupe fan’s spouse—that would prefer a droptop. Allow us to present the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S convertible.

While Jaguar waited until a week before the L.A. auto show to acknowledge the XKR-S convertible’s existence, this is a car we all saw coming—literally, thanks to spy photos of the superfast ragtop we published back in June. Equally unsurprising is the suite of performance enhancements that turn the XKR convertible into an XKR-S, since most of them are found on the XKR-S coupe.

The Least Beautiful Jaguar in Years

Like the XKR-S coupe, there is nothing subtle about the XKR-S convertible’s aesthetics, although there’s not much beauty in them either, especially without the coupe’s flowing roofline. The elegant face of the standard XK becomes purposeful and aero-optimized, with slits and holes all over the hood; a low, carbon-fiber chin spoiler; and large gashes on each side of the fascia designed to control airflow around the vehicle sides. Rocker-panel extensions and lightweight, 20-inch wheels beef up the XKR-S’s profile, while the rear end gets a stand-up rear spoiler with a carbon-fiber inlay and a bumper contoured with a de rigueur diffuser. Four fat exhaust tips handle the engine’s exhalations. Jaguar claims that the alterations reduce overall lift by 26 percent, which a driver is certain to appreciate when traveling anywhere near the XKR-S’s 186-mph top speed.

The XKR-S convertible also rides 0.4 inch lower, and chassis revisions include a new steering knuckle that increases camber stiffness by 23 percent. Spring rates front and rear have been increased by 28 percent, and the programming for the electronic active dampers is unique to this car. Finally, the brakes are upsized to 15 inches up front and 14 at the back.

Jaguar’s Quickest Convertible Ever

The XKR-S convertible’s most noteworthy feature is its supercharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V-8 churning out 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, up 40 ponies and 41 lb-ft of torque from the already prodigious XKR. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered (as with all XKs), and an electronically controlled rear differential is also part of the package. As with the other XK droptops, the motorized top mechanisms and added structure should push this car’s weight up to the tune of about 100 pounds. Nonetheless, Jaguar claims the XKR-S convertible can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with 100 mph arriving in just 8.7 (Jag estimates the same numbers for the coupe). We may be able to knock a few tenths from those estimates, though, since we piloted an XKR coupe to 60 mph in four seconds flat.

That said, we don’t think too many XKR-S convertible drivers will be splitting such hairs, especially with the engine’s glorious exhaust note direct-dialing their ears with the top down. Both XKR-S models feature unique “carbon-leather” performance seats with 16-way adjustability, integrated headrests, cutouts for racing harnesses, and increased side bolstering. Dark-finished aluminum trim is standard, while piano black is optional.

The 2012 XKR-S convertible is not only Jaguar’s quickest convertible ever, but with a price of $138,850, it’s also the most expensive. But just 25 of them will be sent to the U.S. next year, likely ensuring a high collector value. (Incidentally, the 2012 XKR-S coupe is sold out). Will it drive with the same spectacular acuity as the coupe? We intend to find out very soon.

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2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible Shown in Production Trim at L.A. Show

The Infiniti Performance Line was launched late last year with but a single model, a sharpened and slightly more powerful version of the G37 coupe called the IPL G coupe. In August, Infiniti showed us what an IPL G convertible would look like and announced—to no one’s surprise—that the convertible also would make it to dealers. Now Infiniti has debuted the production IPL G for extroverts at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.

Subtle Refinements, Inside and Out

Like the IPL G coupe, the 2013 IPL G convertible adds a pinch of this and a dash of that to deliver what Infiniti calls “total vehicle performance” when compared with the standard G37 convertible. (This implies, of course, that the regular G models deliver incomplete vehicle performance.) As with its fixed-roof counterpart, the IPL G convertible gets a new nose, rocker-panel extensions, obscenely fat exhaust tips, and gorgeous, lacy 19-inch wheels. It is available in only two hues: Malbec Black (a deep wine color) and Moonlight White.

The interior is likewise limited to two colors—Stone and Monaco Red—and features red-stitched leather upholstery, “Silk Obi” aluminum trim, aluminum-capped pedals, and IPL-embroidered seatbacks and front floor mats.

Mechanical Enhancements Shared with the IPL G Coupe

IPL’s efforts to recalibrate the G’s VQ-series 3.7-liter V-6 and fitment of a true dual exhaust system yield the same boost in output as found with the IPL G coupe, adding 18 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque. In the convertible, this brings total output to 343 hp (at a lofty 7400 rpm) and 273 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, the coupe’s six-speed manual and its short-throw shifter are not available in the convertible; the only transmission offered is Infiniti’s seven-speed automatic, which comes with magnesium shift paddles affixed to the steering column.

The IPL G convertible rides on a retuned suspension featuring unique shocks and front and rear springs that are stiffer by 14 and 4 percent, respectively. Spring rates increase by 6 percent in front and a considerable 125 percent in back. The brakes aren’t particularly dainty: 14-inch front rotors are clamped by four-piston calipers, while the rear rotors measure 13.8 inches and are grabbed by two-piston calipers. Infiniti also claims to have sportified the steering as well.

To what extent the sum of the IPL’s enhancements will serve to sharpen the heavy hardtop convertible’s overall performance remains to be seen. (The standard G37 convertible is more than 450 pounds heavier than the G37 coupe, and the G37 droptop placed third out of four in a 2010 comparo.) However, based on what we have experienced with the IPL coupe—which is no M3-killer but satisfies nonetheless—we expect the changes to help considerably. As for future IPL offerings? Infiniti has intimated that that IPL M and IPL FX models eventually will be added, but a timetable has not been provided.

If the IPL G coupe’s pricing strategy is anything to go by, expect the IPL treatment to add about $500 to the sticker of the current G37S convertible. That would put it around $57K, give or take a few Franklins. That’s a lot of coin for a G-based car, but at least everything comes standard, which means that, other than interior and exterior color choices, the only decision the IPL G convertible customer has to make is when to put the top down.

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Jaguar to Reveal XKR-S Convertible at L.A. Auto Show

Jaguar’s hottest XK—the 550-hp XKR-S coupe—will get a topless sibling, the company confirmed today. The XKR-S convertible will debut at next week’s Los Angeles auto show with, we expect, a powertrain unchanged from the coupe’s. That means a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 making 550 hp and 502 lb-ft, mated to a six-speed automatic.

Weight will probably rise from the coupe’s 4100-pound rating, on account of the extra bracing that nearly all convertibles receive in the holy name of rigidity. And of course, all the extra components that make the XKR-S coupe more special than the XKR (beyond the pricey -S badges, of course) should also be on board, including a sportier suspension and a devilish exhaust.

Although we caught the convertible during testing earlier this year, Jaguar has provided no official photos of the car. We’ll bring you the full details—and images—when the car is revealed next week, so keep an eye on our 2011 L.A. auto show page for more on the Jag and the rest of the fresh metal.

Tags: 2011 L.A. auto show, Jaguar, Jaguar XK convertible, Jaguar XKR, Jaguar XKR-S, Jaguar XKR-S Convertible |

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