2015 Jaguar XKR-S Quarter Mile Drag Race Video

When one of Jaguar’s luxury cars reaches a new level of power, it’s only natural to want to put it to the test. Benjamin Hunting, one of Autobytel’s Road Test Editors, recently did just that, by taking one of Jaguar’s oldest and most powerful models to the strip. The 2015 Jaguar XKR-S, a sleek and low-slung luxury coupe, puts down 550 horsepower thanks to a supercharged 5-liter V8 powerplant. This makes the 2015 XKR-S the most powerful street car that Jaguar has ever built, just edging out the twin turbo V6-equipped Jaguar XJ 220 supercar from a couple decades ago. Even though a Jaguar is likely to give a fun and engaging drive on public roads, a car as powerful as the XKR-S is going to behave quite a bit differently on a quarter-mile drag strip, where the torque can actually be as much of a hindrance as a benefit. That’s because the 502 lb-ft. of torque can make traction a little difficult to achieve, resulting in a 12.8-second quarter mile at 119 MPH. After ten years of the XKR, 2015 will be the last year for the whole model lineup, since Jaguar’s decided the F-Type coupe and roadster will take a more prominent place in the brand family.