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  No description is necessary for this stunning looking cat

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  The interior is luxurious GT

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  The rear boasts a carbon fibre wing and those incredible sounding tailpipes

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WHEN we took the Jaguar XKR-S coupe for a whirl last year, I deemed it to be one of the best vehicles that the company has produced. It had all the right quotas of panache, performance, and style.

We were recently afforded the chance to review the convertible variant and I must say that I had reservations about the chopped roof and its consequence on the vehicle’s dynamics.

In many instances, and from personal experience, I have found that although high performance convertibles have oodles of appeal, they are somewhat flawed dynamically compared to their coupe siblings. Apart from the added weight in the interests of making the vehicle rigid, there usually remains a fair degree of flex in the body and unwanted shimmy when travelling over scarred tar.

Up to now only one manufacturer has managed to meet the mandate of having an open-top model that had very little dynamic drawbacks and that is Porsche with the 911 Carrera S I reviewed a while ago.

Now it appears that Jaguar has managed to add to that tally with the XKR-S convertible. Its appeal is elevated over its coupe thanks to its canvas roof that can peel off in a matter of seconds to not only expose you to the elements, but also add a heightened aural sensation courtesy of the tailpipes that are, well, sensational.

Before I get to what happens when you provoke this cat though, the model is arguably one of the best-riding vehicles in its segment and one I could happily live with on a daily basis.

You see, it manages to remain supple enough to appease the traditional Jaguar owner, all the while being dynamic enough to surprise even the most ardent enthusiast.

Under that long bonnet nestles a 5.0l V8 supercharged engine that purrs out 404kW and 680Nm via a six-speed automatic transmission. It is a very characterful powerplant that has so much low down torque that you need only caress the throttle to get it moving.

It is effortless around town with the transmission mashing gears with little fuss. One revels in basking in the elements and listening to that engine burble, which is ever so subtle at low revs.

Move the gear knob from drive into sport and the gearbox will assume the lowest gear so you can sling-shot past slower moving traffic with relish. It feels like you have just awoken a wild cat from slumber as it goes on a prowl for prey.

Power delivery is progressive where below 3,500r/min the vehicle feels quick yet smooth in its power delivery, but keep the throttle buried and it is as though you have just aggravated this feline as it morphs from a GT performer to a supercar.

However, the icing on the cake has to be the guttural rumble that engulfs your senses as the exhaust note produces a crescendo that is almost overwhelming. In fact all you want to do is find another piece of stretched, empty tarmac and do it all over again.

The rest of the car is only happy to exploit the power and even with the DSC (dynamic stability control) nanny neutered, there is more fun to be had should you be au fait with the laws of oversteer and opposite lock.

Much like the coupe, the steering is a little vague but not so much as to leave you in doubt as to where the front wheels are pointing.

Handling is also from the top drawer and what truly appeals with this model is how it can be many things to various people.

You get the attractive aesthetics, a comfortable interior and ride quality, and supercar performance to keep up with the best the true exotics can offer.

Compared to the BMW M6 convertible I reviewed last year, this would be the one I would gladly shell out my money on. It just seems to have a great deal more aural character, negligible body flex, and instead of fiddling with buttons as you would in the Beemer to get the best out of it; you simply get in and drive.

Interestingly, back in 2009, it was the previous generation M6 that had the slight upper hand over the XKR during a comparative test.

However, it seems that the Coventry factory has turned the tables on Bavaria’s finest.

FACT FILE

JAGUAR XKR-S CONVERTIBLE

Price: R1,834,100

Engine: 5.0l V8 supercharged

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 404kW at 6000r/min and 680Nm at 2500r/min

Performance: 0-100km/h 4.4seconds, top speed 300km/h

Economy: 12.3l /100km (Claimed combined)

Emissions: 292g/km

Verdict: All the performance hallmarks of the coupe sans its roof