LA MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar XFR-S unveiled

Jaguar has revealed its cracking new XFR-S at the Los Angeles motor show overnight, spruiking it as its fastest and most powerful production sedan ever.

Positioned at the top of the lauded XF large sedan family, the XFR-S packs the same 404kW/680Nm supercharged 5.0-litre V8 as Jaguar's first R-S model, the XKR-S.

Wrapped in the XF's stylish four-door skin, the blown British V8 accelerates the XFR-S to 100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds (just two-tenths slower than the XKR-S) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 300km/h.

Like the XKR-S, however, Jaguar's first direct rival for the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG will be in scarce supply, with just 200 slated for release in the US and so far only one confirmed for Australia.

As we reported last week, Jaguar Australia is still considering the local release of the XFR-S and has confirmed just one will be imported for marketing purposes.

If the XFR-S does get the green light for Australia, it will likely be sold in a similar way to the XKR-S, via an order-only system.

As such, there is no Australian pricing for the XFR-S, which would need to be priced between the standard XFR ($210,400) and the XKR-S Coupe ($339,500), to compete with the M5 ($229,500) and E63 ($240,485).

Although the XFR-S is a few tenths slower to 100km/h than its German rivals, it delivers the same torque but less power than the M5's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 (412kW/680Nm) and more power but less torque than the E63's twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 (386kW/700Nm).

Combined EU fuel consumption is listed at 11.6L/100km (and CO2 emissions at 270g/km), making the XFR-S less efficient than the M5 and E63, both of which consume around 10L/100km.

Developed by Jaguar Land Rover's specialist ETO division, the XFR-S is said to incorporate engineering features from both the XKR-S and the all-new two-seater F-TYPE sportscar, thereby becoming the most driver-focused, agile and responsive XF ever.

The XFR-S comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission with 'Quickshift' functionality developed for the F-TYPE, bettering the six-speed auto in the standard XFR and the XKR-S. Meantime, the M5 has a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and the E63 has a seven-speed torque converter auto.

Apart from coming standard with a fuel-saving idle-stop function and offering a tasty throttle-blip function during downchanges, the new adaptive eight-speed auto features Corner Recognition, which holds a gear when it senses the car is negotiating a bend.

Naturally, the twin-intercooled, direct-injection all-aluminium V8 features the same twin-vortex Roots-type supercharger and 'sound symposer' as the XKR-S, the latter designed to add aural excitement by channelling more induction noise into the cabin.

Other mechanical tweaks for the wildest XF include comprehensive front and rear suspension upgrades, including revised spring rates and adaptive damper tuning to increase lateral stiffness by 30 per cent.

There are also recalibrated active electronic rear differential and Dynamic Stability Control systems and wider new 20-inch six-spoke 'Varuna' forged alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli tyres.

Available in either grey or gloss black, the wheels are half an inch wider at the front and a full inch wider at the rear, while the tyres are 10mm wider all round, measuring 265/35 up front and 295/30 at the rear.

Jaguar says the dynamic characteristics of the XFR-S were "informed" by the engineering development of both the XKR-S and F-TYPE and are the result of tens of thousands of miles at Jaguar's testing centre at the Nürburgring, the high-speed bowl at Nardo in Italy and roads around Jaguar's Gaydon R&D centre and in north Wales.

The steering system incorporates valving developed for the F-TYPE, while new wheel bearings are fitted and the front suspension knuckles are revised in line with the XKR-S and feature increased camber and castor stiffness. There is also a new rear suspension subframe with revised geometry, plus stiffer bushes and new rear knuckles.

Rounding out the mechanical changes is additional underbody air channelling for Jaguar's High Performance Braking System, which incorporates 380mm front and 376mm rear discs with internal ventilation.

Apart from the bespoke powertrain and chassis upgrades, Jaguar says the extensive use of carbon-fibre aerodynamic additions reduce lift by 68 per cent and give the car an "assertive appearance", while exclusive interior materials include carbon-coloured leather seat base and armrest trim with contrasting micro-piping and stitching, plus unique Dark Aluminium fascia trim.

Body enhancements include a deeper front bumper with larger lower air-intakes, vertical vanes and a carbon-fibre front splitter, plus deeper side sills and unique side 'aero-blades', a carbon-fibre rear diffuser between signature quad exhaust outlets and a bootlid spoiler available in two designs.

Gloss black trim replaces chrome around the grille, within the side vent, around the front and rear screens, windows and across the bootlid, while the mesh in the front grilles is also gloss black.

There are just five XFR-S paint colour options: French Racing Blue, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Polaris White and Italian Racing Red.

Of course, the XFR-S comes standard with the top-shelf XF's cracking Meridian 380-Watt 12-speaker surround-sound system, although there's an even fancier 825-Watt 18-speaker system featuring Meridian's proprietary Trifield surround-sound technology.

More news and coverage of the 2012 LA Motor Show

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