Slightly gawky looks didn’t stop the Jaguar XF from being a commercial success, but still, Jaguar has now made amends for that aesthetic own-goal with some heavy tweaks to the Jaguar XF’s nose and light revisions to the tail.
The range-topping Jaguar XFR is further distinguished by a blacked-out grille, a pair of subtle bonnet vents and a more aggressive bumper/airdam with gaping intakes at its lower extremities. It’s still ultimately a Jaguar, so it remains visually restrained, with no wild fender extensions or boot spoilers in evidence whatsoever.
Interior refresh is less significant than that of the exterior, but it has made the Jaguar XFR’s driving environment feel even classier.
Changes to the interior are confined to some improved finishes and materials, revised switchgear here and there, and a new steering wheel. The cabin remains a plush, comfortable and airy place.
There have been no mechanical changes, so the Jaguar XFR performs as it always has – which means effortless, any-rev thump from its supercharged 510bhp 5-litre V8 and slick, instantaneous shifts from the paddleshift-equipped 6-speed autobox.
The steering is precise and keen, if a bit on the light side, and the chassis delivers sharp, confident handling over secondary roads, coupled with superb body control. The ride is noticeably firmer than the standard Jaguar XF’s but still decently compliant; it is certainly less hard-edged than, say, an Audi RS6 or BMW M3.
Zero to 100km/h is covered in just 4.9 seconds, and the car’s pace over ducking and diving backroads, even poorly surfaced ones, is quite extraordinary.
But – whisper it – there may be hope for an even feistier XF. We sampled the facelifted Jaguar XFR at the same event in southern Portugal where Jaguar unleashed its hardcore Jaguar XKR-S sports car, powered by a souped-up (and amazing-sounding) 550bhp version of the XFR’s supercharged 5-litre V8. The obvious question is, when would this engine make an appearance under the XF’s bonnet?
The Jaguar high-ups present at the event were coy on this, but the combination of the Jaguar XFR’s able chassis and that storming powerplant would be a match made in heaven. With the Mercedes E63 AMG and BMW M5 flaunting mid-500bhp outputs and the next Audi RS6 likely to have close to 600bhp, the XFR will need the added firepower to compete. Come on, Jaguar, you know you want to.
Jaguar XFR 5.0 (A)
ENGINE 5000cc, 32-valves, V8, supercharged
MAX POWER 510bhp at 6000-6500rpm
MAX TORQUE 625Nm at 2500-5500rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 4.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 8km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced (ETA Singapore November 2011)
Check out the latest Jaguar XF
