The new Jaguar XKR is an immediately striking Jaguar that can really move.  Able to go 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, a driver can experience the thrill of accelerating in this cat in either coupe or convertible.

The all-aluminum XKR gets fast in a quick way because of its light body weight and an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine that purrs out 510 horsepower.  Though I’ve seen and sat inside a 2009 XKR at a Jaguar dealer in Chicago, I’ve never had the opportunity to drive one.  So I think I’ll wait until one of these arrives at the nearby Chicago Jaguar dealership, and I’ll do my best to get the keys for a half hour.

The only transmission option is a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, which might worry some of you with manual or dual-clutch options on your mind.  But from what I know of previous Jaguars with this set up, I’m pretty sure once you get behind the wheel, you won’t think about having it any other way.

Talking with the people at the Patrick Chicago Jaguar dealership, I learned that the design team at Jaguar has improved the interior considerably.  Door casings now feature saddle-stitched lines and more plush trim.  Plus there will be more interior color options, soft-grain leather and chrome highlights for 2010.

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On the outside, the front takes on a newly designed bumper and a new, closer-to-the-road mesh grille.  Chrome detailing now compliments the side windows, and the car goes with updates in the way of a new rear spoiler and side vents.

On the convertible, the folding roof powers up or down in about 20 seconds at the push of a button. When going top-down, the convertible’s roof retracts wholly into the bodywork behind the rear seats, making sure the sleek style that makes the car a Jaguar remains.  Safety-wise, a hidden roll-over protection system deploys immediately in the event of a roll-over situation.

I usually try to mention the greenness of a car when I write about it.  While the XKR may not be a car for the most adherent environmentalists, it does take steps at reducing CO2 emmissions.  Noteably, the new XKR features an engine designed to reduce internal friction, which in turn increases fuel efficiency and decreased emissions.  Jaguar says all engine bearings were engineered for lower friction.  Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating has been used to reduce friction on the fuel pump tappets and a solid film lubricant has been used to coat the piston skirts.  DLC, if you don’t know (I had to look it up) is the same material used to reduce friction in racecar engines.  The car remains a performance auto, but these efforts are a step in the right direction for helping to create a cleaner environment.