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Spy Shots: Jaguar XF-R bares more teeth
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jan 3rd 2009 at 10:20AM 
The Jaguar XF-R has doffed a little more of its mask, and now we can clearly see the copious amounts of black mesh that will fill in the front air dam's side vents, replacing the aluminum strips there now. Otherwise, and as usual, you'll need to know your Jags in order to tell this R apart from its lesser siblings. In addition to the mesh the mesh, the hood vents, rear deck spoiler, and quad pipes are the giveaways.Otherwise, the car will get 20-inch wheels of a different design than the ones found on the XF Supercharged. And speaking of that other blown cat, the supercharged 5.0-liter lump that will power the XF-R will be up 80 hp up on the "regular" blown XF; in addition to a faster 0-to-60 time, we imagine there'll be increased sound and the fury to go along with it.
[Source: Next Autos]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumail 10:28AM (1/03/2009)
the jaguar xf is one of the most underrated cars on the road today, i hope this doesn't join it.
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notYou 11:59AM (1/03/2009)
The reason why it's underrated is because most people don't believe it's a Jag on sight - and given the instantly recognizable form that Jag has developed over decades, that's not good.
Take a look at pic 3. See that XJ in the back? Immediately recognizable as a Jag. My girlfriend, who knows squat about cars sees an XJ (or even an S-Type) and knows it's a Jag. When we came across the XF at a release party in SanFran - where it was the star of the show - I had to point at it and say "that's the new Jag."
Her first response was "It looks cheap." Quickly followed by - no joke - "It looks like a Ford."
Amazing - she can't tell an Altima from a Camry from a Cruze from a Mondeo, but she can see Ford in the XF (where it got it's genesis). That is not a good sign.
I'm thrilled to see Jag have a sales winner with the XF, and I'm even more excited about a real honest-to-goodness Type-R, but while the XF may be a great engineering comeback story for Jag, it's not a stylistic one. From what I read of owner postings on the net, they're enthusiastic about the car, but apologetic about the style. I sympathize with them - Jag coulda had a home run, instead they got a double since, from the public's standpoint, Jag style came to a stop with the XJ and S-Type, and no the XK isn't cutting it either.
(Side note: when anyone has to tell you the obvious [read:the Jag "Beautiful" ad campaign] it tends to leave doubt and derision in discerning people's minds)
Thhe XF would make a great design study for a Taurus SHO, but it's a disappointment as a Jag...
Jonathan 1:57PM (1/03/2009)
I completely agree with Kumail that the XF is underrated, and disagree strongly that the XF design is boring. The XF is modern without being a ridiculous Bangle-esque mess. The roofline and c-pillar are absolutely perfect: http://www.netcarshow.com/jaguar/2009-xf/800x600/wallpaper_75.htm.
What most people don't know is that the grille is take from the 1968 Jaguar XJ: http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1968-1973-Jaguar-XJ6-Series-I-Light-Blue-1280x960.jpg. Believe it or not, the XF is retro. But it's modern retro (e.g Camaro) and not stale retro (e.g Challenger).
Kumail 2:31PM (1/03/2009)
to notYou: lol, my dad said the same thing when i showed him the new xf, but not the ford part.
ugg.tryptophan 4:24PM (1/03/2009)
@andYou
the XF is for those who can appreciate subtlety; you dont to know alot about cars to have good taste
JoseR 8:48AM (1/04/2009)
I'm sorry but if your gf thinks the XF looks like a Ford then she knows nothing about cars. There is not a single Ford line in this car. That's seems to the common answer anytime someone either doesn't like a design or thinks the design doesn't look like old Jags. It's getting old.
Rick 10:45AM (1/05/2009)
JoseR-
Since you know so much about cars, how is it you've never seen the Lincoln MKS? I'd check the two side by side before bashing someone's girlfriend leaving you the victim of your own label.
Avinash machado 11:09AM (1/03/2009)
I guess most buyers will prefer an BMW M5 instead.
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Mobius_1 12:48PM (1/03/2009)
"cock." -- Jeremy Clarkson
Hike15 6:04PM (1/03/2009)
mobius, that title now belongs to audi drivers according to clarkson
maybe jags are next, hopefully not
LDMAN 11:47AM (1/03/2009)
Long overdue.
The problem is that Jaguar is originally a "sport/racing" brand (think Porsche) over the years however, it slowly became perceived as a "Luxury/Premium" product (think leather and wood).
To add insult to injury, the "R" brand (equivalent to BMW's "M" or Mercedes' "AMG" was never properly developed and became diluted in mainstream products.
These 500 bhp are a step in the right direction but "R" models need to get the same dedicated marketing, image and mystic that the German brands enjoy.
Therefore, I would suggest to the Jaguar people to just go with 600 bhp right away to get as much PR, halo and press mileage to make up for the lack of "R" brand notoriety.
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DJ 12:28PM (1/03/2009)
In addition to the new engine, the XF-R is rumored to be getting a brand new DCG 7 or 8 speed ZF gearbox.
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Other Man 1:28PM (1/03/2009)
I am beyond excited for this car.
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notYou 4:41PM (1/03/2009)
Jonathan - I don't think you realize just how well you made my point:
"The roofline and c-pillar are absolutely perfect."
Trust me, nobody ever took a look at an XJ, SHE, or even (God help me) an S-Type and had superlatives for it's roofline or c-pillar (at least not specifically). Those elements, while helping define the Jag language, do not a Jag make.
And, I can't help but notice that the picture you link hides the car's face - indeed, just as I said about most owners enthusiastic about the car (roofline! c-pillars!) but apologetic about the style (err - ignore the face - it really is a cool Jag!).
Kudos - I did not know it was based on the '68 XJ, however neither would anyone else who took a look at the two side-by-side. It's not a case of good-retro-Camaro vs. bad-retro-Challenger, it's a case of poor implementation using parts-bin-cobbled from a corporate master.
Go back and take a look at the XF prototype show car and then the production version. See what got left on the cutting room floor? It's not the Ford bits, it Jaguar's.
(note: I disagree with your Challenger assessment, but let's not digress)
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