Indeed it is but it was an absolute must for me. Jag sells them for $3300. The online stores list them for around $3K once you account for their inflated shipping fees. Clearly this is not for everyone but I just love carbon fiber.

 

Ouch! that is "spendy"! I like it too, but only in certain places. It does look good there as a cover. I see a lot CF on vets in the shows I attend with my mustang.
I see you have a JCW Mini. How's that little tike? I've threatened to get one of those.

 

hdavidosn has his cover for sale on e-bay for a great price:

XKR-S CF engine cover

 

I asked the lead service tech at Jag and he insisted it was purely cosmetic and heat would not be an issue, so I took it off of the XKR and Super V8.

 

This idea is capable of garnering a lengthy healthy debate, I'm thinking.
So, I'll offer my perspective....
If one were worried about heat to the underneath of the hood, there is a barrier already that could be reinforced with the same heatshield materials I've used in the interior of my E-Type on the floors and tunnel areas for heat reflection and insulation. As we know, heat is a killer for most every other automotive components. It is severely detrimental to electronics. Reducing the heat of the incoming air charge for the engine is a performance enhancer. The more heat contained under that cover can do no good. Having working louers (my E-Type), not only looks sexy but is functional too. However, I do realize the need for heat, as getting our engines up to their designed working temps burn's off acids and other detriments in our oils and lubricants, thus, preventing the accumulation of "sludge" over the long term.
Having nursed my wife until her passing a month ago, most of my driving was short term. In five years, I had less than 20K on our new car. I hated this knowing what I was doing to our Venza. The XJR, I never drove unless it was to a long term destination.
So, heat can be your friend, or turn on you in a nasty way.
It's snowing here so I have time to muse....

 

I've noticed that the GT is running to running no engine cover at all.

2014 Jaguar XKR S GT Engine Photo 36

 

..and I like those performance seats too! Do suppose they would fit into an '08 XKR? Probably be quite spendy, but, having competed in road racing events, I know the value of good firm seating.

 

The performance seats will fit but they are pricey around 7k a pair.

 

ouch!

 

I love my JCW - its a blast to drive and handles great. I switch between it and my Evoque as the daily driver. I highly recommend picking one up.

 

Thanks for the plug! I actually have 2 CF covers. The one I'm selling is an extra that I purchased for an different RS but then the deal fell through.

 

Yes my 2014 gt has no engine cover. The louvered hood is fully functional by the way I see it. The Few times I've had a chance to actually use it in nyc since I took delivery you can notice a lot of heat coming out of all those louvers on the hood.

 

Thats what I thought even the XKRs have a lot of heat coming through the SC vents. I was actually considering removing my cover as its just a giant blanket for the engine. I dont need anything else to add to the heatsoak

 

Nor is there a lining on the hood.

 

The hood lining wouldn't make sense with functional vents, so I'm not sure the purpose it serves other than noise reduction, or possible heat protection for the paint.

 

Here you go... only $3K


Jaguar XKRS Seats - 2013 Genuine Jaguar Black Leather RS Logo Jaguar XK XKR | eBay

 

hmm, even includes VAT might be able to snag that without taxes for export ....

 

Not bad, but I'm sticking to my cooled seats.

 

....perhaps, literally, if the AC dies! Sorry, just had to...Happy Trails..

 

LOL good one!