Saying a sad farewell to the XKR...and hello to a new toy.
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From: Dunsford, Ontario
Thanks guys for the good wishes and kind comments. Many of you clearly share my passion for high performance cars and driving. I think most would be completely stunned by what the 5L XKR can do on the race track once the tires get up to temps where they achieve maximum grip. It's just a marvel for a GT that does everything so well in a package that necessitates considerable weight. The engineers have clearly outdone themselves with the new XKR-S GT, but they were right on their game with the XKR as well...and even in the convertible provided enough space in the trunk to carry your helmet and things for a track weekend away 
I'm glad to hear that you guys also have an appreciation for the new Viper, and this link with video pretty much sums up why the TA version was so appealing as it set the new track record...
2013 SRT Viper TA Laguna Lap - Motor Trend
I actually had quite a hard time buying a TA because their limited production was reportedly sold out in 3 days when they went on sale in Sept. I was lucky to enlist the help of the Viper plant's manager, and his efforts with others at SRT, and finally on Friday they called to say they had turned over every stone and found one of 33 to be built in black (celebrating the 1:33 lap record) and it was mine if I wanted it. There were none allocated to Canada, so in addition to being 1 of 33 built, it will be 1 of 1 in Canada! Kind of cool, and so was SRT's willingness to directly help an enthusiast.
I believe the black TAs aren't scheduled for production until March, so photos will be a while in coming. The black paint is accented with orange details and carbon fiber aero, and the black interior with orange stitching, numbered plaque and some other identification.
The XKR certainly attracted a lot of attention, and earned my respect as a track capable driver's sports/GT. While I know I'll love the Viper for what it is, both my wife and I will truly miss the XKR for everything that it is.
Thanks again guys.
Bruce
I'm glad to hear that you guys also have an appreciation for the new Viper, and this link with video pretty much sums up why the TA version was so appealing as it set the new track record...
2013 SRT Viper TA Laguna Lap - Motor Trend
I actually had quite a hard time buying a TA because their limited production was reportedly sold out in 3 days when they went on sale in Sept. I was lucky to enlist the help of the Viper plant's manager, and his efforts with others at SRT, and finally on Friday they called to say they had turned over every stone and found one of 33 to be built in black (celebrating the 1:33 lap record) and it was mine if I wanted it. There were none allocated to Canada, so in addition to being 1 of 33 built, it will be 1 of 1 in Canada! Kind of cool, and so was SRT's willingness to directly help an enthusiast.
I believe the black TAs aren't scheduled for production until March, so photos will be a while in coming. The black paint is accented with orange details and carbon fiber aero, and the black interior with orange stitching, numbered plaque and some other identification.
The XKR certainly attracted a lot of attention, and earned my respect as a track capable driver's sports/GT. While I know I'll love the Viper for what it is, both my wife and I will truly miss the XKR for everything that it is.
Thanks again guys.
Bruce
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From: California
Bruce
Now you did it!!!
You will find it far more difficult to keep the speeds down in that MONSTER!
Congratulation! You now have a dedicated street/track machine with incredible capabilities. I can hardly imagine a street car doing Laguna Seca at 1:33.62 on street tires and 1:30:7 on slicks. As a reference here are some track records for full blown, incredibly fast racing machines:
GT1 = 1:26.1 (630+ RWHP + 2400 lbs, on slicks)
SP = 1:29 (Super Production - nearly everything goes)
FM = Formula Mazda 1:29 (open wheel with wings for downforce)
GT-3 = 1:35 (about 2100 lbs, 245 RWHP, on slicks)
I raced FM and GT-2,3 for many years so, I do have an idea how fast these times are. I know you loved the handling of the XKR but, I think, you are about to find the Viper at entirely different handling levels. The XK series, XK or XKR or even the XKR-S, always leaned towards comfortable, safer suspension setup, instead of going all out for track performance. That has apparently changed with the XKR-S GT which was placed in the hands of a different suspension team, that went all out for the ultimate track handling with good results.
1:33.62 is nearly 5 seconds quicker around Laguna when compared to the new Ferrari F12, the Stingray and even more compared to the Carrera. 5 seconds is a lifetime in track racing and the Viper is in a totally different class as those others. Will be looking forward to Chevy's reply when the new ZR-1 hits Laguna. A healthy rivalry can only make all of them better as seen in Pobst describing the new Viper.
Sounds like you made good connections to obtain that car. Having the ONLY car in Canada should help maintaining or upping the value of your car. Well done!
Will miss you from the forum. Wishing you good luck going forward and keep that BEAST off the guardrails!!!
Happy Holidays,
Albert
PS - Last week I had dinner with my old racing sponsor and he was proudly telling me that his son, Brandon Krauss, finally has made it into top tier racing. He will be driving on the same team with Randy Pobst for the long distance events of 2014.
Now you did it!!!
You will find it far more difficult to keep the speeds down in that MONSTER!
Congratulation! You now have a dedicated street/track machine with incredible capabilities. I can hardly imagine a street car doing Laguna Seca at 1:33.62 on street tires and 1:30:7 on slicks. As a reference here are some track records for full blown, incredibly fast racing machines:
GT1 = 1:26.1 (630+ RWHP + 2400 lbs, on slicks)
SP = 1:29 (Super Production - nearly everything goes)
FM = Formula Mazda 1:29 (open wheel with wings for downforce)
GT-3 = 1:35 (about 2100 lbs, 245 RWHP, on slicks)
I raced FM and GT-2,3 for many years so, I do have an idea how fast these times are. I know you loved the handling of the XKR but, I think, you are about to find the Viper at entirely different handling levels. The XK series, XK or XKR or even the XKR-S, always leaned towards comfortable, safer suspension setup, instead of going all out for track performance. That has apparently changed with the XKR-S GT which was placed in the hands of a different suspension team, that went all out for the ultimate track handling with good results.
1:33.62 is nearly 5 seconds quicker around Laguna when compared to the new Ferrari F12, the Stingray and even more compared to the Carrera. 5 seconds is a lifetime in track racing and the Viper is in a totally different class as those others. Will be looking forward to Chevy's reply when the new ZR-1 hits Laguna. A healthy rivalry can only make all of them better as seen in Pobst describing the new Viper.
Sounds like you made good connections to obtain that car. Having the ONLY car in Canada should help maintaining or upping the value of your car. Well done!
Will miss you from the forum. Wishing you good luck going forward and keep that BEAST off the guardrails!!!
Happy Holidays,
Albert
PS - Last week I had dinner with my old racing sponsor and he was proudly telling me that his son, Brandon Krauss, finally has made it into top tier racing. He will be driving on the same team with Randy Pobst for the long distance events of 2014.
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Veteran Member
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From: Dunsford, Ontario
Congratulation! You now have a dedicated street/track machine with incredible capabilities. I can hardly imagine a street car doing Laguna Seca at 1:33.62 on street tires and 1:30:7 on slicks....
1:33.62 is nearly 5 seconds quicker around Laguna when compared to the new Ferrari F12, the Stingray and even more compared to the Carrera. 5 seconds is a lifetime in track racing and the Viper is in a totally different class as those others.
1:33.62 is nearly 5 seconds quicker around Laguna when compared to the new Ferrari F12, the Stingray and even more compared to the Carrera. 5 seconds is a lifetime in track racing and the Viper is in a totally different class as those others.
Here's the list of Laguna Seca lap times for those wanting to see how their favorite cars did...
Laguna Seca lap records - FastestLaps.com
I've been told that a number of performance improvements have been made to the TA since the pre-production car set the new track record, and hopefully it will get great subjective reviews at the up-coming "Car and Driver Lightning Lap" contest at Virginia International, along with our favorite Jaguars!
Bruce
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From: London, UK
Actually, it was (mostly) one guy, Dave Pook - I interviewed him for my XKR 75 article. He described the GT as "slightly bonkers"...
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From: California
Thanks,
Albert
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From: Empire State
If you guys can post the interview in here, that would be great. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...50/#post877724
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The genesis dates back to 2006, before the introduction of the 4.2 XKR. Mike Cross, Dave Pook and Matt O’Hara completed the XKR development, but still had the test vehicle; they decided it would be interesting to see how the car would be with a bit more driver-focussed development. Jaguar management told them they could carry on, but it would have to be in their own time – this flexibility to allow the use of company facilities to develop pet projects is something I’ve always admired in Jaguar. A lot of unpaid evening and weekend development work eventually led to the 2008 4.2 XKR-S, a 200-unit limited edition, with stiffened & lowered suspension, an aero bodykit, forged Vortex alloys and a top speed of 174 mph.
But they didn’t stop there. While the development of the 5.0 XKR was underway, the same trio, along with Jon Croxford, Michelle O’Connor, Dave Moore and assistance from a few others, was working on a similar out-of-hours upgrade of the new car. With the new XKR’s more powerful engine and active differential, they were already a jump beyond the 4.2 package. Taking the same principles used on the 2008 car and starting with many of the same components (springs, dampers, forged wheels), they added revised steering, software tweaks and more power to the mix, with a new exhaust and a revised ECU map. The original incarnation appeared as the “Goodwood Special” in lurid lime green at the 2009 Festival of Speed.
Come 2010, and it was Jaguar’s 75th anniversary. The Jag bosses, already impressed by the Goodwood Special, were persuaded to release a production version as a celebration model. Only 75 were made, sold in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Belgium – and only 20 of these were right-hand drive for the UK market.
But they didn’t stop there. While the development of the 5.0 XKR was underway, the same trio, along with Jon Croxford, Michelle O’Connor, Dave Moore and assistance from a few others, was working on a similar out-of-hours upgrade of the new car. With the new XKR’s more powerful engine and active differential, they were already a jump beyond the 4.2 package. Taking the same principles used on the 2008 car and starting with many of the same components (springs, dampers, forged wheels), they added revised steering, software tweaks and more power to the mix, with a new exhaust and a revised ECU map. The original incarnation appeared as the “Goodwood Special” in lurid lime green at the 2009 Festival of Speed.
Come 2010, and it was Jaguar’s 75th anniversary. The Jag bosses, already impressed by the Goodwood Special, were persuaded to release a production version as a celebration model. Only 75 were made, sold in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Belgium – and only 20 of these were right-hand drive for the UK market.
Wow, to call that bad a** would be an understatement. That car is all business! Very impressive with a beautiful silhouette. Looks like a handful to drive!
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From: Dunsford, Ontario
Bruce
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From: Dunsford, Ontario
The factory is on holiday shut-down so I can't find out, but my guess is it won't get shipped until late Feb at the earliest. Getting it home from the dealer will be the challenge because of winter and all the road salt. So it will be a while.