Jaguar XFR-S hisses at German super sedans

JAGUAR has put the Germans on notice, with its fastest and most powerful sedan to date poised to hit our shores later this year.

Called the XFR-S and priced at $222,545 (plus on-road costs), the 404kW/ 680Nm super-sedan is a genuine rival to the likes of BMW’s M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

The hottest ever four-seater Jag first showed off its tyre-shredding performance at the Goodwood global debut earlier this year with Le Mans 24hr winner Andy Wallace at the wheel – and now we know when it’s coming Down Under.

Revised engine management and improved breathing boost the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 output by 29kW/55Nm over the lesser XFR, accounting for a top speed of 300km/h and zero to 100km/h time of just 4.6 seconds.

Originally developed for the F-Type, Jaguar’s ‘Quickshift’ transmission is operated via paddle shifters on the steering wheel and uses adaptive technology to alter gearshift aggressiveness and engine rev limit point.

The eight-speed transmission sends this increased power to the widened (but not heavier) Pirelli-shod 20-inch rear wheels, while suspension revisions developed through testing at Germany’s Nurburgring help keep the big cat on the blacktop.

Modified bodywork and the addition of a carbon-fibre diffuser visually hint at the XFR-S’ performance, but also serve a purpose by reducing lift by a claimed 68 per cent.

More induction sound from the V8 is now piped through to the passenger cabin but, for passengers who like a different sort of music, an 18-speaker 825W Trifield sound system comes as standard.

Other changes continue throughout the interior with exclusive carbon-effect leather adorning the seat bolsters and armrests, and ‘Dark Aluminium’ highlights on the fascia. Seat stitching and piping can also be matched to the exterior paint on request.

Chief program engineer Andrew Whyman said the main challenge in developing the XFR-S was “to extend the considerable dynamic abilities common to the entire XF range”.

“The bespoke chassis, powertrain and body enhancements meet that challenge and give the XFR-S its focused performance edge,” he said.

The first examples of the new Jaguar XFR-S will begin arriving in Australia at the end of 2013 and will be built-to-order only.