Jaguar’s latest XKR is about to put British cars back in the super league bracket. ANDY RAYFIELD puts it to the test.

When I was a kid, one of the playground pastimes was the card game Top Trumps. I had my favourites – Stars of World Cup ‘78 (Archie Gemmill and Alan Rough anyone?), Warships, Airliners and, for the budding motoring journalist, Super Cars.

But the last one on the list was always slightly disappointing. While you always wanted the Ferrari, Lamborghini or sporty Mercedes in your hand, the British contingent was a bit of a let-down. While the Triumph Stag and the TR6 are now classics in their own right, even back then they could hardly be described as super cars.

In the ensuing years, the British ‘super car’ industry has flattered to deceive. But now there is a real contender - the Big Cat has been put well and truly among the pigeons with the arrival of Jaguar’s latest XKR.

Let’s start with the most important part of any contender - the engine. The XKR boasts a supercharged eight-cylinder unit which produces 420bhp - catapulting it to 60mph in well under five seconds with the speed limiter kicking in at 155mph.

Take into account the fact that this Jag is lighter than most of its competitors, and it’s easy to imagine what a thrill it is to drive.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to turn the radio off and wind down the window to enjoy the engine note to the full. The car growls like an annoyed big cat under acceleration and purrs like a domestic moggy once at cruising speed.

There is a six-speed automatic gear box with sports option but if you want to take full control of proceedings, there are steering wheel paddles which allow you to override the auto.

The styling is stunningly sexy and there are real elements of Aston Martin running through the design. It’s a genuine head turner and a car that attracts a crowd in a car park.

The nose, with its metal grille work, gives a feeling of intent while the swooping rear end adds a slippery element while allowing for a roomy luggage area.

Jupiter 19-inch alloys are fitted as standard while showy 20-inch Cremona wheels are also offered. Blake brake callipers with an ‘R’ logo are fitted as is a quad exhaust system and a unique lower bumper design.

The inside is roomy, airy and luxurious. It’s the small touches that count, such as the controls for the adjustable seats being positioned on the door panel so you don’t have to fumble around down the side of the seat to find them.

The controls are clear and uncluttered and the centre touch screen which controls the air conditioning, sat-nav, audio and car settings is a good deal easier to get your head around than many others.

The drive is simply exceptional. The choice of supercharger rather than turbo means there is no noticeable lag when you hit the accelerator, just a very Jaguar-esque leap. The automatic gearbox slips smoothly through the cogs and the acceleration is thrilling. The handling is precise and confidence inspiring.

If you simply had to find fault you could point to the slight judder when you change gear using the steering wheel paddles. And the use of silver facias inside might be a tad too much for some tastes.

But that’s being ultra harsh.

If you have the money, and at £67,495, the Coupe model undercuts rivals like the Mercedes SL500 and the Porsche 911, this is a must-buy car.

Put simply, Jaguar has trumped its rivals. The Brits are back.

FACTFILE

Jaguar XKR range

PRICES: £67,495 - £73,495 – on the road

INSURANCE GROUP: 20

PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 4.7s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 23mpg [est]

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags / ABS / EBD / TRACS stability and traction control

DEALER DETAILS: Barretts Jaguar, The Parade, Orbital Business Park, Ashford; 0844 470 9690;

The Westgate, Canterbury; 01227 864400. Sunday: 01227 864409