Jaguar XFR-S to pounce at Goodwood

A prototype version of Jaguar's stove hot XFR-S will make its "global dynamic debut" today at the famous Goodwood Hill, driven by 1988 Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Andy Wallace.

Originally revealed at the Los Angeles motor show in November, the hard-charging Jaguar XFR-S is the most powerful and fastest Jag sedan ever made, able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds.

Top speed is electronically limited to 300km/h, and the hi-po leaping cat will also be rare, with production limited to just 200 units.

At this stage only one of the rare Jags has been earmarked for Australia as a promotional model.

As is the case of the XKR-S, the new super sedan is likely to be offered via an order system if does get the green light for Australia, and local pricing for the new model is expected to slightly less than the XKR-S's $299,000. It's priced at $99,000 in the USA.

Jaguar's rear-wheel drive sports sedan is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that generates a substantial whack of power, 404kW/680Nm to be precise.

The engine is the same unit used in Jaguar's XKR-S, but unlike that car's six-speed unit the XFR-S gets a newer eight-speed automatic transmission with a 'Quickshift' system borrowed from the upcoming F-TYPE.

Eagle-eyed readers will spot a few carbon-fibre add-ons, and the car gets a more aggressive design due to new front and rear fascias, not to mention new front and rear and spoilers.

The muscular sedan is also fitted with big 20-inch wheels shod with chunky 265/35 front and 295/30 rear tyres, which combine with modified stability control and an electronic active differential setting to modulate the explosive energy on tap.

After its first public drive up the Goodwood Hill, the tyre-frying Jaguar will be shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed press day in early July, alongside a range of other famous Jags such as a race-prepped 1962 Jaguar Mk II and the very first 1954 'short nose' Jaguar D-Type.

Jaguar’s Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark, said the XFR-S's driving debut was naturally going to take place in the UK at Goodwood.

"I’m delighted that Jaguar is able to present the XFR-S in action for the first time in the UK, and that a Jaguar motorsport hero will be behind the wheel. The crowd at Goodwood will have a unique opportunity to see and hear the ultimate expression of seductive Jaguar design and sporting performance in the XFR-S - well in advance of first deliveries to customers this summer."

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