Jaguar XKR v Merc SLS AMG

IT didn't seem a good idea having an England v Germany clash when the football scars have not yet healed.

But I knew that this time we had a chance of competing because British-built cars are made of stronger steel than our footballers.

Even so the battle was loaded in Deutschland's favour. They were represented by the £171,000 Mercedes SLS AMG while the plucky British Jaguar XKR Speed And Black at £79,850 sounded outclassed.

But I'm delighted to say if the Mercedes won on sheer performance, (it was always going to with a 6.3-litre V8 against a 5-litre), Jaguar was a winner as the car to live with on a daily basis.

The Jag got close to the Merc on performance and from a driver's point of view I'd go for it, even though the SLS is sensational.

If you look at figures, the SLS appears a clear winner, with 0- 60mph in 3.9seconds compared to 4.6, but on the twisty English roads the XKR gets dramatically close to the Merc all the way.

Only on a very long open straight does the Merc pull away as 563bhp takes it to just under 200mph. Even with the limiter removed, the XKR reaches 174mph. Get close to either speed and your licence is gone.

Despite its bulk the SLS handles like a true supercar with astonishing levels of grip. But it never feels as nimble and balanced as the Jaguar, which still gets the adrenalin flowing when you open it up.

You have to concentrate all the way in the brutal Merc but the XKR is a pussycat to drive - until you push it to its considerable limits.

My polar white XKR, with huge black alloys, extended spoiler and deep rear diffuser certainly turned heads. I felt I should be in the latest version of Miami Vice.

Jaguar design head Ian Callum says the Speed And Black edition is for owners who want extra drama and performance as well as beauty - it definitely delivers. The SLS AMG is pure Hollywood with its outrageous gullwing doors and muscle-bound body, a stunning modern interpretation of the classic 1954 Merc 300 SL.

In mystic white - a £2,935 option - it guarantees you attention. It tells the world you are an extrovert, as well as being very rich.

While the styling of both cars gets you noticed, so does the noise. We're talking an explosion of sound when it comes to the SLS's V8 - enough to wake the dead.

And the volume continues as your foot flattens the accelerator to a point where it's like driving in the middle of a thunderstorm. The sound from the supercharged 5litre XKR seems muted in comparison.

Inside, it's victory for the Jag's superb blend of stitched leather and mesh aluminium that cocoon driver and passenger.

The SLS AMG feels like classic Mercedes luxury with a sporting edge - but it doesn't feel quite special enough for a £171,000 car.

And the wonderful gullwing doors weren't made for small people - I couldn't reach the handle to close it from the driver's seat.

In reality, of course, the lucky owners able to afford either of these cars are buying themselves something special.

The £4,000 premium you pay over the normal XKR price for the Speed And Black buys extra bling, including body kit, sharper driving dynamics and the top speed up from 155 to 174mph.

And when you remember you are paying virtually TWICE as much for the SLS AMG tested it's a positive bargain.

But the SLS AMG will have buyers happy to splash the huge amount of cash, because it's a supercar with a very distinct identity - and the power to go with it.

Let's call it a draw.