JAGUARXKR 2006 - 2008

　　The first generation of the XKR coupe ended its journey in late 2005 when, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the British automaker introduced the all-new 2006 XKR.

　　Ford was happy with the results provided by the XK8-XKR lineup and pushed Jaguar to launch a new generation. As a result, in early 2000, Ian Callum, who led Jaguar’s styling department, started to work on the X150 project. This time, he didn’t have to rely on the old XJS platform but on the new one shared with the XJ, which Jaguar launched in 2002. From the technical perspective, some parts were carried over from the previous generation of the XKR, but they were upgraded to comply with the new Euro 4 emission standards that were mandatory in the EU. Therefore, in late 2005, the British automaker launched the second generation of this nameplate for the 2006 model year and made its customers happy again.

　　The car’s look was sharper thanks to its new headlights, rounded on the inner side and with angular styling on the outer sides. Ian Callum kept the oval-shaped air intake adorned by a metallic mesh grille where the brand’s badge took center stage. The same chicken-wire style mesh covered the lower side of the bumper on the apron and was flanked by a pair of small fog lamps in individual clusters. Like the original 1998 XKR, the 2006 model year featured a pair of vents on the hood but with a much more modern styling.

　　From its profile, the 2006 XKR had the same GT-looking look, with its long hood and low-slung greenhouse. Behind the front wheel arches, the automaker installed vertical chromed trims. Ian Callum kept the idea of five double-spoke designs for the wheels, but in this car’s generation, it was more obvious. To emphasize the window area, the automaker installed a chromed trim that surrounded it, making it look more elegant. But the most significant difference compared to the previous XKR was at the rear, where Jaguar installed a tailgate instead of a sloped window with a separate trunk opening. Thus, access to the storage area was easier. In addition, the rear fascia featured new taillights extended from the quarter panels onto the tailgate. Last but not least, under the bumper, the XKR featured two twin exhausts on the sides instead of the single ones used on the previous XKR, the X100 version.

　　Inside, the automaker installed a leather-wrapped interior adorned with aluminum and light-gray trims. The driver fronted a new, three-spoke steering wheel with several buttons controlling the infotainment unit. There was also a new instrument cluster filled with two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer and a TFT display between them. The center stack housed a new touchscreen color display for the infotainment system. Jaguar had entered into a new, more digitalized era. Customers were greeted by high-bolstered bucket seats that provided adequate side support for such a fast-looking and fast-moving GT.

　　Under the hood, the biggest surprise was the car’ snot big surprise. Jaguar inherited the 4.2-liter supercharged V8 from its predecessor and also the six-speed automatic transmission. But still, the suspension and the brakes were different.