2006 Jaguar XKR 4.2S White Label

This superb example of the XKR’s oeuvre is, indeed, a white label “S” iteration. What’s more it is offered here today with, surely, an incomparable provenance. It’s not only incomparable but also short and succinct which, when it comes to provenances, are the best kind. This XKR-S was supplied new by Stratstone of Slough to first keeper, Richard. Today, a full 19 years and a mere 61,711 miles later, Richard remains this Jaguar’s only custodian. The end!

The “S” models are known as “white label” thanks to their special Jaguar “growler” nose badge which is white with added chequered flag detailing to its outer edge. Other of those aforementioned goodies include special chequered flag adorned, anodised aluminium kick plates and rear, nearside “4.2-S” badging. Whilst the “white label” models retained the “standard” XKR’s 400 bhp configuration the electronic top speed limited was let out a couple of notches allowing for a v-max of 174mph. Other very desirable enhancements included a 10% faster steering set up, Bilstein dampers within Eibach springs with a 10mm lowered ride height and cross-drilled Brembo discs nestled behind special 20-inch BBS split rimmed wheels. In the cabin Recaro sports seats and carbon fibre weave accents are obvious and prominent enhancements.
 

Given the fate of the XJ41 project, Geoff Lawson’s XKR styling owed more to the scrapped concept car than might be expected and was not dissimilar to its close cousin, the Aston Martin DB7. As a result, the public’s acceptance was immediate when compared to the faltering, almost prematurely cancelled XJ-S’s debut. The fact that it oozed E Type DNA from every sinuous curve certainly helped, of course.

This cherished example presents in its original Midnight Black livery, the condition of which has been greatly aided by always being garaged by Richard between uses. This Jaguar’s livery not only accentuates those muscular curves impressively well, but it also entirely belies the car’s age. Both paintwork and bodywork look almost faultlessly preserved with all those curvaceous panels exuding a fine, deep shine. The usual XKR thrilling design cues are all here, including those “beaver tail” louvres on the bonnet, the menacing quad tail pipes and large boot lid spoiler. The special “white label” features are subtly present too – to include the special badging and the darkened rear light lenses.

The special Perseus split-rimmed BBS, 20-inch alloy wheels specific to the S are an obvious highlight. These help add a distinctive and differentiated character to an already deeply impressive Jaguar. The condition of these is hard to fault and they are shod with a matching, staggered set of Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres. The red finished and “R” inscribed Brembo callipers and cross drilled discs can just be spied between the spokes.
 

This XKR-S cabin is an object lesson in combining timeless luxury and elegance with overt sporting prowess and real-world physics defying dynamics. It is almost akin to the Carlton Club setting up a branch in a Eurofighter Typhoon. A unique combination. The cabin is appointed in various shades of “dark” to include the Warm Charcoal of the supple, soft-grain leather upholstery, the Flint Grey of the carpet and the Nimbus Grey of the headlining. The special carbon fibre weave accents are of a dark finish too. Not quite fifty shades of grey but certainly several.

The Recaro sports seats are notable and include the supplying company’s name discreetly embossed into each backrest. These seats are 10-way electrically adjustable as well as being heated and featuring a three position memory function for the driver’s perch. The condition is very good indeed with just a modicum of colour loss to the driver’s side bolster. The rear seats look pristine and also feature the revered Recaro name.

Other top of the range features in here include the 380 watt Alpine audio package, adaptive cruise control, satellite navigation, heated windscreen and just about every aid and refinement that 2006 could muster. A key “white label” feature is the dark carbo fibre weave accents in place of anything tree based – something you probably wouldn’t find in the Carlton Club upon reflection. Even the original, special Jaguar leather edge bound carpet mats are still present and in fine order. The commodious boot houses the CD changing and navigation hardware as well as original space saver spare wheel and comprehensive tool kit which all look unsullied by use.
 

The AJ-V8 engine was new at the launch of the XK8 and was fitted to the lower volume sports car line to help establish its capability and longevity without the wider risk of a high-volume roll out. Within a short period of time the engine had established itself as a winning design to the point that Jaguar were happy to bolt on a big Eaton supercharger to its for installation into the XKR performance variant. In this version this is mated to a smooth shifting Mercedes Benz sourced, five speed automatic ZF transmission complete with the distinctive J-gate selector.

The big engine bay houses the AJ-V8 engine with its “Supercharged” embossed alloy intake plenums. The two cylinder head covers are inscribed with Jaguar branding and are in good order. It is a tightly packed engine bay but appears highly original, clean and straight. It certainly looks commensurate with a well maintained and cared for single owner example. What can be seen of the underside componentry looks good very good, too, and commensurate with empathetic ownership and diligent, between use storage. 
 

This XKR-S comes with the obligatory V5 Registration Document in Richard’s name and confirming him as this remarkable car’s sole keeper to date. The current advisory free MoT is present in hard copy and shows validity until March 2026. Seemingly every MoT hard copy to date is also present and confirms this car’s superb record, namely that the only advisories ever recorded have been tyre related.

The remainder of the archive consists of numerous invoices detailing services, maintenance and repair of the XKR-S. The most recent of these dates from March this year and details some work undertaken to the car’s cooling system. Following the audit trail provided by these documents helps underscore the diligent nature of Richard’s stewardship.
 

The XKR-S sits at the pinnacle of the original, X100 hierarchy. It represents the fully equipped and specified swansong of a milestone and highly desirable Jaguar. It was with this model that the Ford owned and backed entity marked its return as a confident and competitive producer of world class sports cars despite the earlier uncertainty for the marque. 

This example is an absolute gem. Not only is it a rare and desirable white label XKR-S, of which only 200 left Browns Lane but it has a provenance to die for. A one owner car with a decidedly moderate 61,711 miles covered to date. It has clearly been cherished and cosseted during Richard’s long tenure and the benefits of that are writ large in this car’s overall condition and presentation. A fleeting ownership opportunity that should be grabbed with both hands.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £17,000 - £22,000.

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