Jaguar extends XK-RS GT production run, 20 really rich buyers quietly rejoice

By Nick Jaynes April 8, 2013

When the Jaguar XK-RS GT was unveiled two weeks ago at the New York Auto Show, the stated limited-run production figures were pegged at 30. Surprisingly, Jaguar only plans to offer the track-inspired sports coupes in the U.S. and Canada.

Word comes today from Jaguar, by way of Autocar, that the XK-RS GT production could top out at 50 – 20 more than previously planned.

But why is Jaguar going to make more of the 542-horsepower beasts? According to Jaguar CEO Adrian Hallmark in an Autocar interview, “The initial cap was set to define the business case but, thankfully, there is room for more.”

Going for $174,000, Jaguar boast the XK-RS GT can lap the Nurburgring in under seven minutes and 40 seconds. “We could have got more power from the engine and achieved lap times that way, for instance, but we focused on drivability, aero enhancements, weight saving, brake performance and the like,” Hallmark said to Autocar.

To us, really, it doesn’t matter how many of the cars Jaguar makes or really how fast it can go. Most of the people who’ll buy it won’t ever take it to its limit – nor could they. Most of the XK-RS GTs, including the extra 20, will wind up parked in some lonely garage surrounded by millions of dollars of other super sports cars, collecting dust.

On an amusing side note: imagine how angry the Brits must be that their beloved Jaguar won’t even sell the XK-RS GTs in the UK!

2011 Jaguar XKR Coupe — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.