Spy Shots II: Jaguar XF-R
by John Neff on May 21st 2008 at 12:24PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of new Jaguar XF-R spy shots
Yesterday we showed you the first clear spy shots of Jaguar's upcoming XF-R super sedan courtesy of CAR, but our own photogs have caught a black version of the cat driving around city streets in the UK, and we thought they'd be the perfect accompaniment to the tuna fish sandwich you're eating in your cubicle right now. We think the exterior mods are even more apparent on this car than the white one caught yesterday. Black tape can be clearly seen surrounding new hood vents and also adorns the more sinister front air dam that we're guessing gulpa a lot more air than the standard XF. The traditionally chromed vertical fender vents now match the jet black body color of the car, as do the new side sills that give it even more curves. New 20-inch wheels with a turbine-style design are fitted and project the appropriate degree of mechanical competence this car will offer, while quad exhaust tips out back complete the transformation. As we mentioned yesterday, speculation says power will be provided by a direct-inject, supercharged V8 producing 500 horsepower. The German super sedans must be at least a little worried, because not only will the XF-R be just as fast as them, in our opinion it looks a whole lot better, too.
Gallery: Jaguar XF-R - spy shots
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 12:27PM (5/21/2008)
Looks like a BMWercedes Mondeo CLS
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Frank 12:34PM (5/21/2008)
I like it, but I don't think I'd go so far and say it looks better then the Euro Sport Sedans - a bit of a stretch.
inteller 12:28PM (5/21/2008)
I'll take two and a side of curry please thank you!
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SPG 12:37PM (5/21/2008)
It looks great, a nice shot in the arm for Jaguar.
I can't see it as being an M5 slayer, but then again I don't think it's ment for that.
It's the high preformance alternative for BMW owners who want a Jaguar.
And for the rest, a really hot Jag.
One way or the other I am looking forward to the results of some independant tests on production models.
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mclarensmps 12:48PM (5/21/2008)
that thing has Lexus GS written all over it :(.
Poor Jaguar fans.
MikeofLA 12:45PM (5/21/2008)
I drove one of these the other day, and I have to say, it's a major leap, or should I say pounce, for the Jaguar brand. The one I drove was the base model, (300hp i think), and it scooted quite well. Great interior, handsome exterior, good road feel and all and all a great shot across the bow of the German Sport Sedan institution.
-Mike
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dm_mg 12:52PM (5/21/2008)
Looks like a Corola on steroids .....
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Frylock350 12:55PM (5/21/2008)
More fodder for the CTS-V
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Frylock350 12:55PM (5/21/2008)
More fodder for the CTS-V
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Soccer Mom 1:00PM (5/21/2008)
Every time I see this car I cannot stop thinking about Jag turning an edgy concept into this anonymous design. I think that concept could have attracted new customers, especially younger once. This is purely for the existing Jag lovers, others more likely to choose something else.
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Cole Mitguard 1:00PM (5/21/2008)
This car is going to steal market share for sure, but I dont think that it has the E63, M5 and S6 scared one bit in terms of performance. Speed wise, yea, its going to have a 500hp V8, but there is a lot more to the actual speed of a car than its engine. The german sedans that this will be compeating with were built for speed, by engineers who know speed inside and out. And we still know nothing about its suspension system for the R, or if Jag has managed to make this car any lighter than a standard XF. Looks wise, its a handsome car, but it is def. not outright better looking than the three cars listed above, that would be a matter of personal opinion. Unless Jag undercuts the price of these other vehicles, I imagine many customers are going to want to stay with the brand names that they know they can trust, and will keep an eye on Jag for down the road, if they can maintain this level of improvement. Good job though Jag, ALMOST makes me wish that Ford still owned you... almost.
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British_Rover 4:07PM (5/21/2008)
In the Edmunds test between The A6 4.2, E550, 550i and the XF SC the XF won easily. The XF did better in the slalom then all other cars and only lost to the 550i .02 Gs in the skid pad. The XF SC got a .87 and the 550i got a .89. The XF SC also out accelerated every car but the E550 and only lost E550 by two tenths in the quarter with the same trap speed. The top end on that SC AJ-V8 is truly awesome.
Cole Mitguard 4:16PM (5/21/2008)
We are not talking about the base models, we are talking about S vs AMG vs M vs F... and we have yet to see anything with an F brand out of Jag since Tata, so it will be interesting to see the performance. That being said, you cant really compare the base model cars, to their performance counterparts, all that makes the car go, engine, drive train, suspension, ECU, etc is very different on performance models than base models.
British_Rover 6:19PM (5/21/2008)
Err but those aren't base models. The 550i, XF Supercharged, E550 and A6 4.2 are the mid trim level models. In general among the mid sized luxury sedans the 5 series is the performance benchmark whether we are talking about the 335i, 550i or the M5. With the XF SC beating the 550i I have high hopes that the XF-R will give the M5 a run for its money.
Cole Mitguard 6:37PM (5/21/2008)
you are right, they are not base models, but I still dont think that you are getting what I am trying to say. Each one of these super sedans from these German companies are tuned by performance arms of the company outside of the general production line. Many people out there aren't going to compare an 550 to an M5, or a E550 to and E63, or a A6 4.2 Quattro to an S6. They are not made to be in the same type of category, and are designed to be VERY different beasts. I will be waiting to see if this new F design from Jag will be in the same class as these tuning arms from the other companies... so far, the answer to that question has been, no. Jag has not been known for their performance engines since the XJ220, haha, and then there is the fact of reliability, the V10 in the M5, best performance engine 2 years in a row, this engine from Jag, brand new, from a company not known for reliability. And Ill give it to you that Jag is starting to turn around, and Im glad to see it, but I wont be holding my breath to see a Jag F outperform the other tuned Germans. PS, one of my favorite sedans of all time for just sheer beauty in form, the XJ-R, BEAUTIFUL CAR, such an understated luxury car. But again... it didn't perform at the same level as an M5, or even the old E55.
Doug 1:30PM (5/21/2008)
I like it, not sure Id take it over an M5,E63 or RS6, though
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Torrent 2:03PM (5/21/2008)
1st choice- 2009 CTS-V
2nd choice- CTS coupe V
3rd choice- STS-V
4th choice- XLR-V
5th choice-STS Sedan
6th choice- CTS Sedan
7th choice-XLR Roadster
8th choice- Pontiac G8 GXP
9th choice- Jaguar XF-R
The Jag is really catching up.
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aaron 2:22PM (5/21/2008)
yeah, the Jag is really catching up in your list of mediocre (besides the great G8 GXP and new CTS-V) american-made cars. XLR? A Corvette for old men. STS-V? Overweight sedan for older men. But with the name "Torrent" and a picture of the long-delayed Camaro, I didn't expect much more than blind loyalty.
Still, that GXP is looking to wake up some of the Amercanized thinking (i.e. a bunch of marketing and focus groups) that are starting to infiltrate Stuttgart and Munich.
Torrent 3:00PM (5/21/2008)
What's your point? The fact that you're bias?
Listen, before you type anything else and embarass yourself, say the words out loud. And then keep them to yourself.
ugg.tryptophan 3:25PM (5/21/2008)
i agree w/ aaron