LA 2011: Jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet Convertible

I'll get straight to the point, this is the fastest and most powerful convertible Jaguar have ever made. If you happen to be near or in Los Angeles you can go and see it in the flesh with your own eyes at the LA Motor Show this week!

The XKR-S cabriolet is fitted with the same 5.0L Supercharged V8 that you find in the coupe which produces 542bhp and 502 lb ft of torque. That means 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and going up to 100mph only takes 4.5 seconds longer. This all adds up to a limited top speed of 186mph.

To make all these figures possible, the supercharged V8 has had changes to the fuel mapping system and an active exhaust system and on the outside Jaguar have tweaked the body by fitting a wider and lower air intake for the bumper as well as a carbon fibre front splitter and a unique rear wing with carbon fibre inserts to help balance the aerodynamics front and rear.

The fast Jaguar drop top is the stiffest car in it's class thanks to it's lightweight yet strong rigidity aluminium construction. Other changes underneath include stiffer front and rear suspension, a revised Dynamic Stability Control system with a track setting and a high performance braking system which should lead to a much better driving sensation.

Inside you get carbon leather trimmed performance seats with better side and squab support, a three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and exclusive dark aluminium veneer although there's a piano black finish available as an option as well.

It's pretty much an XKR-S coupe with two key changes. Like the other XK cabriolets there are no back seats although the back seats in the coupe aren't that suitable for human beings anyway and the other difference is the electric fabric roof which stows away in the deck in 18 seconds at a touch of a button, letting you fully listen to the supercharged V8.

As well as being the fastest and most powerful Jaguar convertible, it's also the most expensive Jag overall. Prices start at around £103,000 and deliveries here in the UK will start in early 2012, easily ready in time for the summer.