2010 Jaguar XFR Credit: Jaguar
Jaguar embodies elegance and class and is changing with the times; it's not a stale old brand any more.
The XF sedan, introduced last year to replace the S-Type, is undergoing more changes for 2010. The most significant upgrade is under the hood with two all-new, direct-injection, 5.0-litre V-8 engines. A stunning, new supercharged XFR high-performance model also joins the family.
The XFR is the top-of-the-line trim in the XF range. The other two XF models are dubbed Luxury and Premium Luxury; they cost $61,800 and $68,300, respectively. The new XFR's price tag starts at $85,300.
The XFR is powered by an all-new, supercharged, 5.0-litre V-8 engine that develops a whopping 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, which makes it the quickest and sportiest XF on the road.
It will hit 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Power has increased by 23 per cent and torque by 12 per cent compared to the 4.2-litre V-8 predecessor. A naturally aspirated version of the 5.0-litre V-8 engine delivers 385 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque and will hit 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.
The all-new V-8s were designed in-house in the United Kingdom and meet U.S. ULEV II emissions regulations. Despite the power boost, the supercharged engine produces 2 per cent less CO{-2} emissions than its predecessor. CO{-2} emissions of the naturally aspirated engine are comparable to the 4.2-litre V-8.
The fuel economy is another story. It's pretty dismal, especially if you're driving in the city frequently; the XFR averages 18.7 L/100 km city and 8.7 highway. The naturally aspirated version isn't much better; it averages 17.3 city/7.8 highway.
But once you get behind the wheel of the XFR, you'll appreciate the power and performance of this luxury sedan. Off the line, it's fast and sure-footed. Around corners, it's nimble and hugs the road beautifully. Steering is quick and responsive. And the sedan soaks up all degradations in the road with ease and comfort.
All the while, the cabin remains whisper quiet. When you start up the engine or hit the throttle, the sound of the muscular deep exhaust note fills the air. But it's not noisy or obtrusive; it's the perfect complement to the XFR.
Besides power, the XFR is adorned with design details to differentiate it from its siblings. From the front end, it has a larger, lower grille with new black-finished mesh, plus chrome outboard air intakes, sill extensions, hood louvers and grilles, quad tailpipes, a body-coloured rear spoiler with an "R" emblem and hefty 20-inch, twin seven-spoke, alloy wheels with "Jaguar Supercharged" embossed around their centres. The exterior mirrors have LED side repeaters so other drivers can spot your every move.
Inside, the design theme continues - the R logo appears embossed on the front and rear seats and at the bottom of the leather steering wheel. New dark oak veneer and wood combine to give an elegant and upscale feel to the cabin.
The front sports seats are sculpted perfectly to fit your body like a glove. They're infinitely adjustable and even include an adjustable side bolster to add more support, especially when you're taking corners quickly. The seat adjustments are located conveniently on the side of the door so you're not fiddling with adjustments on the side of the seats. The side bolster button, however, could be larger; it's too small to adjust especially when you're wearing winter gloves.
While the sloping roofline creates a nice coupe-like silhouette from the outside, it does pose some problems for the rear-seat riders. Passengers 5-foot-six or taller will notice the lack of headroom in the back seats. The cargo area, however, is large with 500 litres of space.
Inside, you're surrounded by luxury, but it's also very modern with funky touches like a push-button startup system. There's no traditional ignition for the key or gear shifter. Just push the start/stop button; it pulses red like a heartbeat and the JaguarDrive Selector, a rotary dial, rises into your hand while the climate control vents rotate open. It's a nice little show when the car starts. Turn the dial to move from park to drive, reverse, or neutral; it's straightforward.
Steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles also let you manually change through the six gears, but I'm not fond of them - I prefer to let this car do the work; the gear changes are seamless.
There's other cool technology such as cruise control with automatic speed limiter, a radar-based blind-spot monitor that warns drivers when there is another vehicle in your blind spot and a navigation system (which is a little too fussy and distracting to use - even changing the radio can get complicated).
The XFR also has adaptive dynamics, the latest in computer-controlled, continuously variable damping and active differential control, an electronically controlled rear differential.
Jaguar isn't standing still. With two new engines including the supercharged V-8 in the XFR, it'll give the competition a run for its money.
2010 JAGUAR XFR
Type: Luxury four-door sedan
Base Price: $85,300; as tested, $86,870
Engine: 5.0-litre, DOHC, supercharged V-8
Horsepower/Torque: 510 hp/461 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Drive: Rear-wheel-drive
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 18.7 city/8.7 highway; premium gas
Alternatives: BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63, Porsche Panamera, Audi S6, Lexus IS-F, Cadillac CTS-V
pgentile@globeandmail.com
Petrina Gentile