Jaguar XFR 2012 Review

It was a breath of fresh air when Jaguar released the XF in 2008. It was a design that immediately shifted the iconic British brand into the modern era - a move that was long overdue.

An attractive car from most angles, the XF's headlights were the only aspect that didn't seem to gel. Thankfully the 2012 XF range remedies this issue, presenting a smart, suave design that sees an all-new style from the A-pillar forwards, complete with a pair of slimmer, more elegant headlights inspired by its bigger brother, the XJ.

And then there's the 2012 XFR...

As the most powerful model in the XF lineup, developing more than 500 horsepower in the old money, the supercharged XFR has been given a visual restyle, one that is overtly sporty, as opposed to its predecessor's sleeper image.

The more obvious visual changes to the new $210,900 XFR are the enlarged front-facing air intakes and bonnet vents that distinguish the go-fast model from its smaller-engined stablemates.

There's an all-new bonnet with a bigger power bulge and, like other models in the range, the front quarter panels, headlights and brake lights have also been remodelled, going a long way towards making the 2012 XF range one of the most handsome vehicles in its class. Compare the car to the BMW 5 Series or the Audi A6 and you'll see what we mean.

For 2012 the XFR also sports an updated rear diffuser and quad exhaust pipes to signify its boosted performance, and there are little things that will please Jag fans, such as the removal of Jaguar script from the rear of the car, replaced by a larger leaper. Or how about the tiny Jaguar etched on the LED brake light lenses at the rear? That's a meticulousness you won't find on all prestige cars...

The end result of this stylistic fine-tuning is a more aggressive appearance for the Jaguar XFR, one that befits a car capable of reaching 100km/h from rest in just 4.9 seconds. It's also a very aerodynamic shape, with a claimed drag coefficient of just 0.29 -- the vehicular equivalent of a peregrine falcon.

Peak power of 375kW arrives at 6000rpm, while the staggering peak torque of 625Nm at 2500rpm provides the car with the kind of mid-range punch that shocks and awes.

Jump on the throttle with gusto and the Jaguar charges forward with enough force to comfortably pin you into your tailored leather pew -- yet this supercharged journey never feels abrupt, which is a testament to the smooth-shifting ZF six-speed automatic gearbox and the finely-tuned fuel injection mapping.

Officially, the blown 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar will hit 100km/h in 4.9 seconds from standstill, but this beast feels quicker than that. As the revs rise from idle to 3000rpm the engine begins to find its voice too, and by 5000rpm the car is really flying (and singing), the basso profundo V8 soundtrack one of the most evocative you're likely to hear.

Rivals for the top-spec Jaguar XFR include BMW's upcoming 2012 M5, which was not available in Australia at the time of writing (expected to arrive here late 2011 or early 2012). The Beemer outputs slightly more herbs than the Jag with 412kW/680Nm, while Audi does not offer its RS6 in Australia any more. The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is a close match in power terms with 386kW/630Nm, but it's priced almost $30k more than the Jag at $238,060.

Jaguar has constructed an engine with one of the most evocative overruns you'll hear on an unmodified car, crackling and backfiring mildly as you lift off the accelerator pedal after giving it heaps.

Flat-chat upshifts see the engine signing off shortly before 7000rpm, when the fun starts over with another gear (road laws permitting). There are steering wheel paddle shifters, should you want more control over when the gearbox plucks another ratio, but even in standard mode the gearbox does a bang-up job, best described as responsive and proactive.

The 2012 Jaguar XFR is a supremely rapid premium car, the kind of vehicle that blends the best of both the performance and luxury worlds without diluting either. It feels tremendously powerful under throttle - 625Nm will do that - but you never forget that you're driving a luxury car.

Shift your gaze from the road ahead to the instrument panel for a moment and you'll note the stitched leather finish covering the entire dashboard, which makes a big visual impact. Add to that plush pile carpets with Nubuck edging, soft-grain leather seats, premium suede cloth headlining and stitched leather inside the doors, and you're left with the kind of tactile fantasy that would impress royalty.

Even the little things were impressive, such as the touch-sensitive on/off reading lamps. It's attention to detail that continues to push Jaguar's case as one of best interior designers in the premium car market.

Despite the car's lavishly finished interior the Jaguar XFR is not bereft of a sporting edge thanks to the way the air vents unfurl and the gear rotater rises up out of its recess upon ignition - plus several 'R' racing logos. Interior accents of piano black and brushed aluminium also contribute.

The seats are a true thing of beauty, with 18-way electric adjustment for driver and front passenger. Finding a comfortable seating position is none too difficult (or time consuming) as a result. The seats are also heated and can also pipe cooled air through the tiny perforations in the leather to soothe one's derriere should the day be hot and muggy.

Jaguar developed new seats for the 2012 XF range, and the XFR pews are "sportier" and "profiled for comfort" says Wayne Burgess, one of the designers working alongside chief designer Ian Callum. The switchgear is new (though it doesn't look it) and like the rest of the XF range comes with plenty of convenience features such as automatic xenon headlights, auto windscreen wipers, keyless entry and start, self-dimming electric mirrors and Jaguar's well regarded infotainment system centred around a high resolution seven-inch colour touch-screen.

Bluetooth connectivity for phones and audio devices is standard and, being the upmarket sporty model, the stereo has been beefed up, ditching the 400W 10-speaker system for a 1200W Bowers & Wilkins stereo that features 16 speakers plus a subwoofer. High fidelity is an understatement.

We spent time behind the wheel of the Jaguar XFR in Germany and on the derestricted highways the Jaguar blew me (and other road users) away with its mid-gear acceleration. It is able to accelerate from 160km/h to 220km/h in roughly the time it takes to mouth your favourite three syllable phrase in slow motion.

The Jag transfers engine power to the road very effectively and has excellent grip. Only when punching hard out of one roundabout did the traction control kick in, and the six-speed ZF automatic gearbox shifts surprisingly quickly for a traditional torque convertor unit.

It's an impressively robust transmission too, withstanding plenty of punishment from standing starts at traffic lights. Who needs a dual clutch gearbox?

Delivering explosive acceleration in a refined manner is notable, but managing to achieve a parallel in the ride/handling department is somewhat surprising. Jaguar's chassis engineers have fashioned a luxury sedan that is easy to steer and motivate at slow speeds while retaining an athletic ability that demonstrates that the thrill factor was not forgotten during its development.

Whether through druidic magic or some form of mathematic engineering equation (probably a combination of both) Jaguar has not compromised ride quality too much, while manufacturing an undeniably compelling drive. Find yourself a twisting ribbon of road and the car will happily eat up apexes like Matt Preston eats random rice dishes at an all-you-can-eat Yum Cha.

Get up a bit of speed, transition into a corner and the car sits on its outside wheels with remarkable confidence, tracing its way through a corner with surprising conviction for something so large. Hit the Adaptive Dynamics button and the steering and suspension tighten up a little more, extending the performance envelope slightly - more importantly the activating button has a little racing flag on it.

The steering is good for the most part, rewardingly direct, but lacks feedback in certain situations. For instance on damp roads it was difficult to tell when front end grip was waning. However the car handles well for the most part, combining direct steering with firm suspension to great effect. There's a bit of body roll during extreme speed corner carving, but considering the plush ride on offer the chassis balance is very good.

Brakes? Big and sturdy. They have more clout than the stoppers on the lesser XF models and we didn't experience any fade during our test. Pedal feel was firm throughout and this vehicle would not be averse to the odd racetrack outing. The Jaguar XFR has a brake pad wear indicator so you'll know exactly when you've cooked the brakes heading into turn one after hitting 280km/h on Gardner Straight at Phillip Island.

Probably the most memorable element of the new 2012 Jaguar XFR is its sonorous engine. Jaguar has mastered the art of the supercharged V8 over the years and this 625Nm version is hard to fault. It's a smooth and refined unit at low revs but has massive clout and a soul-stirring voice at mid-to-high revs and adds so much character to what is an already accomplished car, inside and out.

The previous XFR was a hard-charging luxury sports saloon that could shred rubber as easily as it could tour in composed comfort. The new model continues this trend, albeit with more style.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site