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Jaguar XFR

Revised flagship delivers aggression and refinement in equal measure

Jaguar XFR front track

Text: James Foxall / Photos: Mark Fagelson

May 2011

Looking at the previous version of Jaguar’s BMW M5 rival, you’d hardly have suspected the mind-blowing performance that lay beneath its mild-mannered exterior. Yes, the XFR appeared different to less powerful models, but it wasn’t that much more aggressive. This is something the new version addresses.

 

As with the rest of the revised XF line-up, the flagship’s radiator grille, bonnet and front wings have been subtly altered. The grille is more vertical and the headlamps – now with bi-function xenon technology – are thinner, with new LED running lights in what Jaguar calls a J-blade shape.

All models get a bigger bonnet bulge, and on the XFR,the three vents below the grille are finished in black rather than chrome. They are also bigger, and combine with a more prominent chin spoiler.

Behind the front wheels the vertical vents remain, but to fit in with the XK and XJ models they are topped with a horizontal chrome strip bearing the brand name. At the rear, in line with other Jaguars, there are new LED lights. The XFR also comes with a discreet little boot lip spoiler. 

This combines with a new race car-style diffuser – positioned in between the pair of twin tailpipes – to improve stability at speed.

At the side the sill lips remain, and these now look more at home within the XF’s overall framework. The result on this model is a much more aggressive stance than on less performance-oriented cars. 

Inside, drivers sit behind a new, smarter-looking steering wheel, and the switches on the centre console are black plastic rather than silver. This means the dash doesn’t look quite as cohesive as before, but they’re easier to see in sunlight.

The software in the centre dash screen has been updated, making reactions quicker. And instead of the rapidly dating black and white graphics in the driver’s readout between the dials, this is now colour, as inspired by the XJ. The new leather sports seats grip you well, too.

Under the bonnet, the XFR still features the growling supercharged 5.0-litre V8, and power and torque outputs look impressive enough on paper. On the road, they are electrifying. 

Put your foot down, and with peak torque reached at 2,500rpm and then stretching all the way to 5,500rpm, the car’s mass appears to shrink around you.

This is exaggerated on fast, winding roads. The XFR doesn’t feel like a large saloon. Body control is excellent, it turns into corners precisely and it seems more agile than a vehicle this size has any right to. It’s an extremely accomplished car.

Those talents extend to the ride, which is so supremely comfortable that it’s easy to forget you’re in a saloon that will give many sports cars a run for their money. Enhancing things further is the refined nature of the well finished cabin. While there’s some exhaust gruffness as the revs rise, it’s muted compared to the identically powered XKR.

All the changes bring a price rise over the old car. The new XFR costs £950 more, at £65,350, and we think it’s money well spent.

For an alternative review of the latest Jaguar XF visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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5 Comments

PURRRRRRRRRRRFECT

Hope Jaguar continues it's policy of aggressive engineering development they are building lovely cars

By liverpool on 1 June, 2011, 10:06pm

Same old

A typically British car.
Elitist & over priced.
Unusually for Jaguar,its ugly.
Can anyone tell me why Jaguar is now making money after Years of being a loss maker?
The cars look just the same.

By toycollector on 2 June, 2011, 8:49pm

just Perfect..!

hats off to jag...! keep it up...!
i really want 1..!
@toycollector : what r u doing here..? go collect your toys..! u know nothing about cars

By Lucky4U on 12 June, 2011, 6:37am

M5 will oust it and out sell it 20 to 1?

English should stick to toy cars like built by toycarcollector and let the professional car builders in Germany build the real cars...

Seriously Jag has made the effort and has a range of fresh high quality cars, sales in it's home market should be booming but no us Brits want German still, even when the home side is better! BMW sales UK up,Audi UP, Merc UP and JAG DOWN???? Good job Jags world sales are UP

CRAZY LOGIC... XF is holding it's value better than the 3 series and in a lot of ways XF it's a better car!

By liverpool on 21 June, 2011, 8:11pm

0.3 of a second slower than the new M5 to 60 but..

Jag is £8000 less .HMMMM ... Jag for me it's a nicer car...
I would still like to see the grill a little longer!
I wonder XFR could hold it's value too as well the XF ??

By liverpool on 21 June, 2011, 9:27pm

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Pictures

Jaguar XFR front track
Jaguar XFR rear track
Jaguar XFR interior
Jaguar XFR exhausts
Jaguar XFR badge
Jaguar XFR wheel

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FIRST OPINION

    It's hard to believe that the XF was launched three years ago. While the original design wasn’t exactly dated, this refresh has done it no harm. In XFR trim it has addressed a major criticism – that the car didn’t look special enough. And although the updates don’t stretch to mechanical enhancements, customers will be still able to enjoy interior improvements that offer a genuine benefit.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £65,350
    Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
    Transmission: Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
    Power/torque: 503bhp/625Nm
    0-60/top speed: 4.7 secs/155mph
    Econ/CO2: 22.5mpg/292g/km
    Equipment: Active differential, 20-inch wheels, heated and cooled sports seats, auto lights and wipers, sat-nav, climate and cruise control, Bowers & Wilkins sound system
    On sale: September
     
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