I'm embarrassed to admit that since I purchased my '10 XKR a few months back with less than 6K miles, it has been acting as a Garage Queen, entirely unused. I've been putting mileage into my XJL, figuring that it is a leased car and I might as well use my mileage allocation instead putting miles into the XF or XKR that we own outright.

So, today, a sunny, 90F degree summer-like day, it was the perfect time to take her for a spin, going out to the nearest Home Depot about 35 roundtrip miles away.

The roads leading there are wonderfully winding canyon roads. As I turned into the canyon my dearest wife touched my arm and quietly suggested:

"Drive Gentlemanly, Dear"

So, I did. At least for the first 100 yards to the first corner. With the engine wound up over 5000 PRM, the now-loudly-growling cat beginning to show some serious teeth, I dove into the first set of many dozens of wonderful turns. There was not a single other car on the road in either direction. The XKR is very happy to be wound up to redline. The engine pulls like a jet and the handling becomes very tight at that point.

Before I purchased the XKR I posted here that I would be more interested getting an other XK. 385 HP would be more than enough, I stated. True, my XF and XJL have that superb NA 5.0 engine and the engine is a gem. It would be more than enough in the XKR.... yes, at least until you drove the XKR with 510 ponies. Suddenly, like an alcoholic, you're drunk with that bulging and ripping power and... say not... YOU WANT MORE!!!

I've been spending too much time lately reading through the tuning threads on these forums. If 510 HP is too much, 600 HP would be better too much. I can not vouch for the rationality of such reasoning but, I am certain that some on this forum can relate to it.

So, into about the 5th or 10th tight corner, all done in second gear near the redline, I put my foot about half way down the go-pedal when the XKR began to loose traction. Immediately the Traction Control Unit Alarm went off loud and clear - (the sounds originating from the passenger seat).

"I ASKED YOU TO DRIVE GENTLY AND YOU PROMISED...,!!!!!!"

"Not really, Hun, I never promised a thing, just did not answer your 'Gentlemanly' suggestion." - clearly a loosing answer against the unhappy authority, located in the passenger seat ...

Thus, the end of fun. See, she does not mind me going around turns rather briskly but, she very much senses and minds the symptoms of traction loss. Thus, I backed off to a still brisk but lower pace where traction was guaranteed.

Thus, the old traction issue with the XKR. Yes, I was going quick and yes, it was at the top of 2nd gear near peak power and a ton of torque but, it was obvious that the XKR's traction was way too limited for its power levels. Yep, 385 HP would be plenty enough so, what am I doing looking at going all the way to 600 HP? Over the very same canyon roads my built, lightweight RX-7 with its 500HP never comes close to giving up traction. It sticks to the pavement like a rabbid leach sticking to the flailing arm of its victim. That car is very serious about its sticking. The XKR is not. The XKR is like rambunctious young and wild mustang with bulging muscles, tearing at its reins, always ready to brake loose. Fun, just a different kind of fun from the seriously business-like behaviour of my twin turbo.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, however, great fun. The car handles beautifully when not pushed near its limits and the engine is effortless, smooth, wild when its enticed yet, completely docile when the road straightens and the tranny goes into high gears. What a sweet GT. I am so happy that I got it and can't wait to turn in my XJL so that I get to spend more time with this temperamental "She-Beast".

Yep, like a gorgeous woman; sweet, sexy and beautiful to a point, turning instantly loud and temperamental when challenged. I love them like that! The XKR and I will get along just fine, thank you!

 

Sounds like you have everything under control.

 

Gotta watch out for those rabid leaches.

 

Yup, the R will stick its tail out very readily if you jump on the loud pedal. It's taken me a while to adjust from my XK8, where full throttle was pretty achievable in most circumstances, on a dry road at least. The R will spin its wheels at 70 mph in the dry if I boot it on the motorway.

It takes time to re-learn being your own traction control, just like them good ol' days (I used to own a Ford Capri 3.0, noted for having sufficient power but no weight over the rear wheels). And, yes, I have a passenger-seat alarm system that lets me know when I'm overdoing it

 

I just want to say I love you and I could not have said it better myself... Its why I bought a XKR-S new... realized how amazing of a car it was and that i wanted to drive it no more then 1000 miles per year for the rest of my life to keep it....THE REST OF MY LIFE..and then immediately went out and bought a barely used XKR just so I could drive it like stink every day and not care. THIS IS THE BEST CAR EVER!!!!!! THANK YOU JAGUAR!!!! I will forever now call this a sweet, gorgeous, sexy woman that gets loud and temperamental when you challenge her.... JUST LIKE A WOMAN!!!

Loth

 

You guys are killing me right now! I knew I should have driven the XKR to the office today! At the last minute I picked up the Range Rover key, ugh guess I'll have to take it for a spin this evening.

 

Fully understood:

Classic withdrawal symptoms! Please call your local Jaguar Anonymous Chapter to schedule your therapy

 

Thank you Loth! You obviously get it and live it; that is, the deeply sensual Jaguar experience! Indeed, she is addictive in so many ways, which is why I keep coming back to her, despite those lovely, unpredictable tantrums that she tends to throw at me. The spice that we crave!

 

" If 510 HP is too much, 600 HP would be better too much"

Classic

 

That quote is a classic!

 

There's no such thing as too much power, only insufficient traction

 

:-). Ditto.
Put on 2500 km this past winter. That's right, WINTER!

My children love the low speed , completely controlled drifting as much as I do.
Is be up for an xk reunion/fun weekend anywhere in the northeast... Fun, food, laughs... I'll take the windy roads to get there...

Keep on driving!