the XKRS-GT also came without engine cover, despite having the exact 550HP V8 as the XKR-S and current F-Type R;;

 

Here's some thoughts:
- over time the shiny aluminum gets a little dirty and less shiny
- a little less noise in the cabin
- maybe helps the paint on the hood in the long run, with a little less heat
- everybody else does it
- somewhere to stick the supercharger stickers

 

Exactly, in a relatively short period of time that exposed aluminum is going to get dirty and tarnish, and it will be pretty impossible to make it look presentable. The water coming through the vents will accelerate that process.

I'd rather keep it covered, which will keep it cleaner longer.

 

Anybody willing to grind smooth and polish that aluminum casting? You can start with mine first.

 

I think that would look nice. It might also look good painted (so long as the paint didn't flake off).

 

But, if you were to get it detailed...

 

Foosh Detailing, LLC does not do engines.

 

Battery is up front in the V6?

 

No that is a picture of his "pre-historic" Toyota Landcruiser. ;-)

 

- If you wanted to even years from now, that aluminum would clean right up. Again, Jaguar's doing this in its most expensive cars - there not going to let them look like rubbish. And if you still don't like it, you can use your still like new engine cover!
- If anything, that "blanket" on top of the engine would make your cabin more noisy. The blanket is making the noise go outward (including toward the cabin) instead of up and out. I will say though that listening to the engine with and without, I can't tell any difference. The real noise from this car is in the (loud) exhaust anyways.
- Jaguar's not going to ruin the hoods of its most expensive cars. The heat is fine under there.
- Everybody does it because that's just the way it is. Just like Project 7 people aren't running around looking to find their missing engine covers.
- I'm pretty sure anyone that has seen this car move knows its full of some kind of very powerful something charger already.

 

As long as we're talkin' covers, check out this Jalopnik rant. It's made the rounds, but the vid is worth a view if you haven't seen... Engine Covers Are The Devil?s Work

 

My engine cover is already fading where the sun comes through the hood vents.

 

Get a set of the V8 bonnet vents.

 

I love it! Yes - who came up with this idea to place a piece of dainty plastic on top of an engine?? It serves no purpose!

 

I thought you were looking to cover it in carbon fibre weave???

 

More finished look
Looks ominous and discourages user tinkering

 

Something has to be done to the top of that engine. Right now it just looks like a big heat sink on the back of a high tension power transformer. The even less appealing plastic trash can lid was removed long ago.

 

What's different about the V8 vents? I know the AWD vents are located differently, but didn't think the V8 ones were different than the V6, other configurations being equivalent.

 

I changed out the mesh V6 vents for V8 vents on my car. They aren't open on the hood surface like the mesh ones but are vented on the angled part above.

 

A minor point but they're not V8 vents, they're just a new design. My '16 V6 came with this new style.