Jaguar unveils powerful XKR-S

MANILA, Philippines - At the Opus lounge and restaurant of the Resorts World, Jaguar Cars Philippines the other night announced the winners of the recent Jaguar Drift Fest at the Kings Playground of the Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig.

Audel Sison emerged the overall champion while Jesus Romero Salas ruled the novice class of the competition that also featured a drifting demonstration by drift expert Ian King.

But what provided all the thrill and excitement that night was Jaguar’s latest trophy, the XKR-S, the most powerful and fastest production sports car Jaguar has ever built in its 90-year history.

“It’s a privilege and joy to introduce this car to the Philippine market,” said Jaguar Cars Philippines chairman and president Wellington Soong of the supercar which has a maximum speed of 300 kph through its 510-horsepower V8 engine.

Those who packed the luxurious venue were then led to the adjacent Republiq Club where the XKR-S, a white beauty, was unveiled by the Jaguar president and his executive directors and sons, Marc and Jason Soong.

They offered a toast of champagne for the XKR-S that can go 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. It’s a thing of beauty inside and out, and once Marc started revving the engine it sounded like it’s ready to take off.

Soong, who’s as passionate with his cars as in his other businesses, said a handful of the XKR-S will comprise the initial batch to hit the country, and insiders said this early they’ve been all sold out.

The tag price is only for buyers to find out.

Soong, who earned the right to distribute Jaguar cars in the Philippines in 1996, and eventually the Ferraris, Maseratis and Land Rovers, proudly stood in front of the shining XKR-S.

He spoke to The STAR and started comparing it to an elite athlete.

“This is the car that has the legs, the lungs and the power. It has the heart that can endure all the aerobic challenges. It has the muscular lines. It has the calf to bring it where it has to go,” he said.

Soong was asked if he had any particular athlete in mind, and found it difficult to name just one, saying it could be Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and Rafael Nadal rolled into one.

“If I may say so it’s a combination of Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal – all these great athletes,” he said.

Then he dropped the name of the athlete closest to the hearts of the Filipinos.

“Absolutely it’s also Manny Pacquiao. This car can last 12 rounds. It has the stamina, the lung power and the heart,” said Soong, who couldn’t have found a better answer.