I have owned a 2011 XKR for about 3 years now and I have been surprised by how slow it is in terms of acceleration/top speed compared to other vehicles.

On paper when you look at the power to weight ratio of the XKR it seems average in terms of performance, but the figures for acceleration/top speed seem to fall way below cars that have a higher kerb weight or less power.

In terms of real world driving the XKR seems very prone to what I describe as "kangaroo" acceleration, where even on a dry road with moderate (<50%) throttle the power seems to cut constantly. I don't know if the traction control system (does the XKR even have that?) is just very intrusive or if part of the problem with poor performance is that it just doesn't transfer the power to the road very well.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

 

Uh........no. Maybe it's just your car. My '10 is curl your hair fast and with motorcycle acceleration. I've hit 4.2 sec 0-60. It might be limited to 155, I don't know cause I don't have the nerve. 120 is plenty fast for me. But to say it falls way behind other cars is ludicrous to me. Maybe the new Vettes? 911? But this is a GT with plenty of power. Have it checked out.

 

These things do have Adaptive Driving, so maybe that could be the cause?
Do a hard reset (touche the main battery cables together momentarily completely disconnecting the battery) and drive like a maniac for several miles. Use the accelerator like an ON/OFF switch... either full on or full off.
Mine is quite quick off the line, and I've dared get up towards 200 MPH once on an abandoned private strip. It didn't take long to get there, either.

 

Did you get limited at 155? I get my speed on rural highways and haven't really been much above 140 and yes it's not that hard to get there. The car could have gone faster but that was enough for me.

 

Check the OBD values in case the car has P1000 and something is wrong but no code has flagged.

E.g. it could have blocked cats...

 

4.2seconds 0-100km/h for a motorcycle is slow. I'm use to 2.0-2.5sec 0-100km/h motorcycles. So everything I drive is slow!
XKR, even a tune one is limited by putting power to the ground efficiently. There's a reason why the F-Type R is AWD.

 

That is most likely your tyres. My '10 XKR was horrible to drive when I first got it. The rear end would step out with no notice and the traction control light was a regular feature on my dashboard.

I switched to Michelin Pilot Sport 4s's and it transformed the car. It now has well over 100 bhp more but is still very stable and predictable to drive.

I do agree though, these cars should be a lot quicker but they seem very traction limited. I have done over 100 1/4 mile runs in my car and it comes into its own in the second 1/8 mile but it is very hard to get off the line cleanly.

 

After starting a thread like this, I’m hopeful the OP comes back to discuss further.

 

I also have the Pilot Sport tyres fitted.

Yes that was the point I was trying to make; when you look at the numbers for power output/torque/weight it doesn't translate into actual performance figures, on paper or in the real world.

I am guessing then that the XK model suffers from a bad chassis design that doesn't transfer the power well.

 

The chassis design is not it.

 

Could it be the transmission/drivetrain? I know the ZF family of gearboxes don't have a glowing reputation but I'm not sure about the one specifically fitted in the XKR.

 

I have a hacked version of SDD, top speed is now 300 kph (186mph). I got a bit over that ( Speedo ends at 180 mph, but I got past that... 190???) with no noticeable limit, but I was done trying after that cuz NeRvEs. Dude's strip wasn't super clean, but no flora nor fauna anywhere near cuz Salt Pan surrounding it.

 

That is movin' and groovin'

 

This has got to be the only thread ever with a title that claims that the XKR is slow...huh? I don't think that an XKR (or any supercharged Jaguar) could ever, in real terms be deemed "slow".

 

hmmm, if I wanted strictly a high performance sports car, this would not be my choice. I wanted a GT. This fits it well, comfort coupled with performance.
And there is an inverse relationship between comfort and performance.

I have done many a 6+ hour road trip in this car and it very comfortable (though not as comfortable as the xjr). A sports car would have beat me up.

 

Curious...do you own an "XK"? Has a previous owner stuck the letter "R" behind the others and now the truck badge is "XKR?

 

I think you need to state the following:

1) Mileage and FSH?
2) If you've had a tranny fluid change (before 60k miles and then every 40k)
3) When you'll use the power you expect?
4) SC fluid change and coupler/bearings checked?*
5) Hard reset ever done in your ownership?

On my 2014 (also with MPS4S's with over 5mm left) the back end will still step out if I stamp on the loud pedal in a straight line.

Yes I've had faster cars but my XKR is plenty fast enough for me

*My isolation coupler had disintegrated and the SC fluid was 50% of what it should have been be last year at 53k miles, luckily my warranty company paid for the work (after a fight)

 

1 - Mileage is around 48,000, full service history with main dealers
2 - I would presume not since I am nowhere near 60,000 yet
3 - I don't condone dangerous driving on public roads, not sure what you mean with this question
4 - What is SC fluid?
5 - What is a hard reset?

 

1) Good to know
2) Main dealers will say gearbox is sealed for life where ZF who make the box say (I believe) 8yrs or 60k miles whichever comes soonest, so yours is I think due
3) OK fair point
4) Supercharger oil, did you honestly not know it had any?
5) Apologies if you are new to driving and/or to car forums, but it's the same procedure on my Audi as it was on my Aston and even my Mazda...google can be your friend, or a forum search works!

PS: Zero, please add your location to be immediately visible (as almost everyone else has)

 

I have a service booked for next week, should I mention the transmission fluid or will it be an expensive extra?

I have not heard of supercharger oil or a "hard reset". At least not on a car.