Jaguar XKR-S 2011

The XKR-S was named “Sports Car of the Year 2011” by Auto Bild Sportscars after a reader vote involving more than 70,000 participants. Jaguar also reported a 7-minute-51-second Nordschleife lap during testing by the German magazine. These details show how the car was positioned against high-performance prestige coupes of its era, although the reported lap time should not be treated as a universal result for every driver, tyre, or test condition.

The XKR-S was launched as a series-production model rather than as a showroom-only concept or prototype. Jaguar described it at the time as its most powerful and fastest production sports car. The sources reviewed confirm the coupe’s 2011 launch and the convertible’s introduction later that year, but they do not provide a reliable official worldwide production total for the 2011 XKR-S coupe. A specific number of built cars should therefore not be assigned without further manufacturer or archival documentation. The “Base” designation also does not establish a separate production volume, since the available sources do not identify it as a confirmed factory production series.

Specialist press coverage was broadly enthusiastic. Car and Driver praised the XKR-S for its immediate V8 response, composed ride, and ability to combine serious speed with grand-touring comfort. Auto Express highlighted its blend of acceleration, agility, and refinement, while also noting that traction could affect its standing-start performance. The magazine regarded the Jaguar as a credible alternative to established European performance coupes and a more expressive machine than the standard XKR. Jaguar also reported that the XKR-S won Auto Bild Sportscars’ 2011 reader poll in the production sports coupe category, ahead of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 and Audi RS5 in that market.