First Drive: 2011 Jaguar XKR175 Coupe Review - Limited Edition Big Cat Gets Sharper Claws

2011 Jaguar XKR175 Limited Edition

The 2010 Jaguar XKR emerged on the scene as a welcome departure from its former pedestrian persona, coupling AMG-like performance with the classic GT looks of Aston Martin. And since it was the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name, a special limited edition model was in order. The 2011 Jaguar XKR175 is available only in North America and, as its name suggests, is being offered in just 175 examples in the US (with another 15 earmarked for the land of ice hockey and Molson's). Available in any color combination as long as it's Ultimate Black with a Warm Charcoal interior, this baby has a host of additional tweaks and add-ons that help differentiate it from its brethren. A base price of $104,500 puts this big cat right in the mix with the Mercedes-Benz SL550 and BMW M6, two worthy contenders.

First unveiled last year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the XKR175 fortifies Jaguar's place among the great Grand Tourers from Britain. The car didn't receive the 20 hp bump nor the suspension tuning and reworked exhaust of the continental version, the XKR 75, but it's pretty slick nevertheless. With exceptional leaps in quality and craftsmanship over the last several years, the performance gains and racing aspirations should also start coalescing with reliability and lower costs of ownership. Potential buyers will be happy to hear that for 2011 Jaguar is offering the Jaguar Platinum Coverage program which takes care of scheduled maintenance and the cost of common wear and tear items (filters, brake pads, brake discs, brake fluid, wiper blades) as well as 24/7 roadside assistance for a period of 5 years or 50,000 miles. In addition, Jaguar Cars is also offering a 5 year/ 50,000 mile limited warranty.