Spy Shots: Jaguar XF-R mules testing in Death Valley
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jun 2nd 2008 at 5:31PM 
The two sedans may look like Jaguar S-Types, but according to Fast Lane Daily's spy shot A-Team, they aren't. They are actually XF-R mules disguised as S-Types with large wheels and big, bulging fender flares. They were caught during hot weather testing recently in Death Valley, U.S.A., and FSD reports that their engines did not sound supercharged, a la the XK-R. Rather, they sounded like the naturally aspirated V8 from the Aston Martin Vantage. Though they're not part of the same happy Ford family anymore, Jaguar could now buy engines from Aston Martin and not worry about stepping on the toes of its sister company. However, this is the first we've heard of the engine in the XF-R not being supercharged, so take it with a big grain of salt for now. Follow the jump to check out the latest episode of Fast Lane Daily that features more of these XF-R mules, and check out our own gallery of the XF-R prototype below.
Gallery: Jaguar XF-R - spy shots
[Source: Fast Lane Daily]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mi key 5:43PM (6/02/2008)
Interesting Rims.
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Jose 5:46PM (6/02/2008)
The Aston V8 is a development of Jaguar's AJ-V8 engine. Jaguar's new direct injection 5.0L V8 is said to be available in NA form and supercharged.
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Benfolio 6:00PM (6/02/2008)
Unless they share the same exhaust system, they must have a pretty good ear to be able to relate the two.
Benfolio 6:05PM (6/02/2008)
MY GOD that guy in the vid is a tool.
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Yar 7:53PM (6/02/2008)
+1
British_Rover 9:01PM (6/02/2008)
+500 what a moron seriously someone smack him.
ken_aisin 6:17PM (6/02/2008)
yawn.....
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Beastage 7:42PM (6/02/2008)
They look like S Types to me...
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Mobius_1 11:25PM (6/02/2008)
Desirable cars disguised as not desirable ones = very clever
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Damian 12:59AM (6/03/2008)
I have this feeling that they look like S-Types because they ARE S-Types. They've probably been modified for powertrain development but they aren't the new chassis.
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ebm 5:18PM (6/03/2008)
The interior and rear of the car are nice, but nothing Jaguar about the front. I have only seen a handful on the road with some sporting a retro fit leaping Jaguar from the grill. Mercedes goes forwards and backwards with their designs, Jaguar should remain in the past and attempt not to make any modern versions look like the ford Taurus.
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Alex 11:57AM (6/03/2008)
Does a supercharged engine have a discernable sound versus a N/A engine? Turbo'd engines, sure they have waste gates and spools that make neat and identifiable sounds. What can they hear in the supercharger? The lobes compressing air? An extra pully spinning off the crank?
I have a XJR and I can't say it sounds like a supercharged engine.
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CarbonBlack 6:42PM (6/03/2008)
this is essentially a supercharger sound (the whine @ higher rpms)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi__60ZT1wI