Jaguar has just recently shown pictures of their upcoming XF saloon, and within days we caught a 'test mule' for their high-performance XF-R version!

This crude-looking mule is comprised of an S-Type body, with the front of the new XF tacked on and covered with camouflage. But under the hood lies Jaguar’s 4.2-liter supercharged V8 – hinted by the four exhaust pipes and the group of XK-R coupes trailing behind. The XF is expected to reach the dealers in the spring of 2008, and the hot XF-R model should follow about a year later.

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evospyshot...aguar_xfr.html

I guess it is pretty easy to use an old S-Type body since the XF is heavily based on a modified S-Type chassis.

M

The Jaguar XF has done more to bolster the Coventry brand's image than anything else in recent years; now the new XF-R should give Jaguar a further shot in the arm, and we've got the full lowdown on 2009's hottest new car.

Caught in CAR Online's exclusive new spy photos, it's plain to see the new performance XF is aimed squarely at the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and Merc E63 AMG.

Jaguar XF-R, you say? What'll she do?

We won't see the XF-R for another year, but we've been digging around for snippets of concrete information about the hottest XF and have discovered that this prototype runs a 4997cc V8 – the new-generation engine that will be rolled out across Jag/Land Rover, with direct injection and the latest tech to trim the naughty numbers (g/km and mpg) and boost those desirable digits (bhp and lb ft).

The R version is said to be supercharged, so you can safely expect the uber-XF to put out a whopping 500bhp. Helping that big-capacity V8 breathe is a pair of bonnet scoops and enlarged spoiler ducts, largely disguised under the black duck tape on this prototype.

So how will the Jag XF-R be distinguished from lesser XFs?

Where to begin? The XF-R has a noticeably different snout, as witnessed by the larger air intakes and bonnet scoops, but the rest of the front of the car is admirably restrained. The side profile is differentiated by stout side sills and what appears to be a body-coloured side gill (the standard XF's is in chrome).

If you're looking at the rear of the XF-R (and let's face it, most of us will be), you'll be following a subtle lip spoiler on the bootlid, chunky quad pipes and we'd guess lurking under that white plastic disguise is a discrete diffuser.

Naturally, there is also a new design of alloy wheel reserved just for R models. Even standard cars can be specced with 20-inch wheels, so big rims are a must for the XF-R.

And the driving experience?

Sadly, our ace spy photographers haven't yet managed to wrestle the keys to an R model, but they have seen one driven in full anger. Moments after these shots were taken, this white prototype shot off up the road as the test driver spotted our long lens.

From the engine spec, we know this car will be quick. Damn quick. It's difficult to judge from these spyshots, but it looks as if the R is lower and we know that Jag's chassis specialists are preparing a more focused ride and handling balance. Not that there's much wrong with the standard car; read CAR Online's first drive of the XF here.


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M

Now if they can reduce the weight of the car and get rid of those horrible orange side reflectors, that will be great. I like those concept car style wheels.

The orange side reflectors do not appear on any XF model outside of the US. US legislation makes it mandatory for orange repeaters.

It looks serious and given the superb XF reviews this beast has the potential of making a very good high performer.

At 1st I also thought it was a U.S market only thing, but unfortunately the orange reflector does appear outside the US market. This is the aussie spec XF, photo taken at the australian launch.

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^ I guess it is cheaper to make the US specs generic

Now you've got me doubting myself monster, I've poured over the XF in the tin but never noticed the repeaters to be as orange as those on the white XF-R above. I always took them for being more transluscent and neutral toned. I just assumed...

[Edit: The orange is there on European press release photos but it's far less prominent; maybe US cars get "maximum orange"?]

"maximum orange" lol

I'm very excited about this,if the wieght is right and the new 5 litre Jag is working on is a gem then the germans will a have a true British rival

^^ It snows in Australia?