Jag’s wildcat XJR to slip in under $300,000

JAGUAR’S executive shuttle turned executive rocket, the XJR, will sell from $298,000 when it lands in Australia late this year.

The most potent XJ ever slips the same supercharged 5.0-litre V8 as used in the XKR-S and the upcoming XFR-S under its aluminium bonnet, generating 404kW of power and 680Nm of torque to the rear wheels.

The V8’s poke is enough to push the XJR from 0-100km/h in a borderline-fast 4.6 seconds, and if pressed the big Jag won’t stop until it reaches its 280km/h speed limiter.

Jaguar said the the aluminium-bodied XJR incorporated bespoke chassis and aerodynamic developments “to create the most focused, agile and responsive member of the XJ family”.

"The new XJR epitomises the three pillars of technology, performance and seductive design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the twenty-first century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon," Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director, said.

However, while overseas markets will get access to a long-wheelbase version of the super-limousine, Jaguar Australia will only take the short-wheelbase XJR.

The mid-sized XFR-S will be priced from $222,545 when it also arrives in Australia late this year.

The XJR will not be the most expensive model in Jaguar’s Australian line-up when it arrives. That honour remains with the luxuriously appointed XJ Supersport, which retails for $319,645 before adding on-road costs.