XKR-S convertible - great performance and looks to match

Price: £103,400

Pros: Thundering performance, epic V8 engine note and pumped-up styling

Cons: High purchase price, incredible thirst for unleaded petrol and similar in character to XKR

Car Buyer 4.0/5.0
The Jaguar XKR-S Convertible is the most expensive car in the XK line-up, and costs more than £100,000. It's based on the XKR, which is no slouch, but with an extra 39bhp and revised body styling, the S has even more performance and visual clout than its less powerful stablemate. It also costs the price of a decent family hatch more than the XKR, so the S is a car for committed enthusiasts.

Auto Express 4.0/5.0
The design team has done a fantastic job of upping the excitement and giving the S a look of its own: a low front splitter (painted black, as is the grille) and menacing air scoops at the front, while a diffuser, carbon-fibre rear wing and quad exhausts do the job at the back.

Evo 4.5/5.0
If you like having more power than grip, then this could be just the car for you. It will spin up its tyres with incredibly little provocation, especially on the wet Irish roads where we conducted most of our first drive (a habit made life extremely interesting!). In the wet the steering is a little too light and lacking in feedback to give you all the information and confidence you want in order to place the front wheels in a turn. ·