WHILE THE AUTOMOTIVE world turns its attention to the new age E-Type, to be based on the C-X16 concept unveiled at last fall’s Frankfurt show, well-heeled Jaguar buyers recovering from various recent global financial crises can get their kicks with the brand’s most powerful drop-top ever.
Jaguar unveiled the convertible body XKR-S at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Our first drive was a preproduction prototype, with thin strips of yellow stickers intersecting body panel gaps (to measure chassis flex), a full rollcage, fire extinguisher, Sparco racing seats,four-point seatbelts, and a matte-black paint job. Everything else was production ready, including mechanical bits identical to the car’s coupe counter-part, which means Jaguar’s direct-injection, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 rated at 542 hp and 502 Ib-ft of torque. The XKR-S convertible recreates the coupe’s magic, but with a windblown effect. Not only does the active, free-flowing exhaust sound spectacular, it’s part of the horsepower-increasing equation, along with remapped fuel characteristics, with 32 more horses more than the XKR.

Cruising at 55 mph, wind noise and buf­feting are minimal, the boisterous exhaust note is absent, and normal conversation is possible.The suspension is stiff, but driving over freeway bumps and imperfections is never jarring. Like the XKR-S coupe, the convertible’s suspension has a more robust aluminum steering knuckle and an active differential. Damper and spring rates are 28 percent stiffer front and rear.

Sticky 20-inch Pirelli PZeros combined with Jaguar’s Active Damping system keep the XKR-S flat and planted through tight corners. Downshifting the Jag’s six-speed automatic is met with rev-matched throttle blips, exhaust pops, and plenty of power. Jaguar claims the convertible scoots 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds, the same time needed for the coupe.

Turns out all 125 XKR-S, $16,759,375 worth, are sold out. Looks like you’ll have to wait for the production C-X16 after all.