Jaguar XKR-S (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

Jaguar has turned up the power and sharpened the handling on the flagship XKR coupe for the 2011 Geneva motor show. The result: the XKR-S, claimed to be the fastest production Jaguar sports car ever.

For 2011, Jaguar is returning the XKR-S to the top of the XK range. CAR readers may recall the well regarded 2008 limited edition that last carried the badge. 

The XKR-S has an uprated version of the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 found in the standard XKR. Power moves up to 542bhp (from 510bhp), and torque swells to 501lb ft (up from 461lb ft) thanks to lots of ECU tweakage. The 0-62mph time is down to 4.2 seconds (from 4.8), the top speed is still limited, but at 186mph rather than 155mph, but it manages the same 23mpg and 292g/km CO2.

As you may expect, there are upgrades to the suspension and Adaptive Dynamics traction/stability control, a 10mm ride height drop, new LED lights, new front and rear bumpers, and a part-carbon rear wing. Jaguar says the external tweaks have reduced lift by 26%. There are 20in forged alloys too, which save 4.8kg of unsprung mass, Pirelli P-Zero tyres, 28% stiffer springs, better brakes, and in the cabin there are new 'Performance' seats.

All this is yours for £97k, a hefty £19,300 more than a standard XKR, but still £12k less than a Maserati MC Stradale.

By Mark Hamilton