Jaguar XFR-S revealed
The 542bhp Jaguar XFR-S has debuted at the LA Motor Show, ahead of its arrival in the UK in May
Meet the mighty Jaguar XFR-S – the fastest, most powerful sports saloon in Jaguar’s history.
Launched at the LA Motor Show and on sale in the UK in May, the supersaloon is the second R-S model, after the XKR-S. It takes the already potent XFR as its base, and uses the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8. Power rises from 503bhp to 542bhp, while torque increases by 55Nm to 680Nm.
Revisions to the intakes allow more air into the engine, and the newcomer also gets a revised exhaust, which Jaguar promises features an enhanced exhaust note, with a “motorsport-style crackle on the overrun”.
The XFR-S sprints from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds – three-tenths quicker than the standard XFR. The speed limiter has been raised from 155mph to 186mph, too.
To cope with the extra power, engineers have strengthened the driveshafts, propshaft bearing and torque converter for the eight-speed auto gearbox. The transmission also benefits from lessons learned in developing the forthcoming F-Type roadster.
The XFR-S comes with that car’s Quickshift technology, which speeds up gearchanges made using the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, and automatically blips the throttle on downchanges.
As a result of testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, on the banked bowl at Nardo, in Italy, and on roads in the UK, Jaguar’s specialist Engineered to Order (ETO) division has increased the stiffness of the suspension and dampers by 30 per cent over the XFR, and recalibrated the electronic controls for the suspension and rear differential.
The brakes benefit from improved underbody cooling, while the XFR-S wears a dramatic bodykit. A deep front bumper incorporates huge air intakes and a front splitter made from carbon fibre.
The car also gets deeper side sills and an extended rear bumper, and there are two choices of rear wing. The larger one, fitted as standard to UK cars like the one in our pictures, can be swapped for a smaller one for a more subtle look. Overall, lift has been reduced by 68 per cent.
Completing the new look is a set of 20-inch rims, wrapped in specially designed Pirelli tyres that are 10mm wider than those on the XFR. There are five exterior colours to choose from: French Racing Blue, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Polaris White and Italian Racing Red.
Inside, there is charcoal grey upholstery with contrasting piping, carbon fibre trim and R-S badging. A 380W two-speaker Meridian stereo is standard, with an 825W 18-speaker system available on the options list.
Prices for the XFR-S will start at £79,995 – that’s £14,615 more than the standard XFR.
