(FORTUNE Magazine) – With the economy floating like an untethered balloon, there are so many fine luxury cars that it's tough to keep pace--and, in fact, I haven't. For example, one of the most outlandishly competent of the new 2000 sports cars slipped onto the scene a few months ago: the honed, haughty Jaguar XKR. At $81,800 for a convertible, it stands alongside the retro-styled BMW Z8 and the function-over-form Porsche 911 Turbo. Given that no car in this price range is exactly a lemon, I'm not going to drown you with technical data about the 370-hp supercharged V8 (0 to 60 in 5.2 sec). What really matters is how the XKR remains unique from its competitors. Herewith, a cheat sheet of the high points:

LOOKS. It may be bigger than an old E-Type and less than risky in its lines, but the XKR's ready-to-pounce body is better than Elizabeth Hurley at attracting stares.

DRIVABILITY. Imagine silk crossed with pashmina accented by baby's butt. No one else manages such grace under (throttle) pressure. The bad news: It comes only in automatic.

POWER. Think Nascar--minus all the big hair. Think dust, which is where you'll leave most cars at a traffic light--and still have your passenger balance a flute of champagne.

CACHET. With only 1,200 coming to the U.S. this year, Jaguar's most hot-headed cat will surely be lusted after.

CREATURE COMFORTS. Have you stayed in a multi-thousand-dollar-a-night hotel suite? Or a manor house? No? You wouldn't understand the comparison.

--SUE ZESIGER