Jaguar XFR-S: UK drive

Anything further to add after Harris's vid? Actually yes!

Is there any more to say about the Jaguar XFR-S? Well, Harris burned a lot of rubber in one in his spectacular three-way with rather more sophisticated German rivals. See the vid if you were in any doubt whatsoever about what 550hp can do to two driven wheels.

In stealth guise the XFR-S makes more sense

The one that we, by chance, had in at the same time is, just possibly, more like the XFR-S you might actually consider owning. The shocking blue paintwork and big wing are good for standing out in a grouptest and perhaps deflect a little attention from some of the Jag's cruder aspects. But if you were striding into a Jaguar dealership intent on laying down 80-grand on one chances are it'd look a bit more like this. Right?

Indeed, you could walk into that Jag dealership and have one looking a lot like this for considerably less. Running the spec of this 2,500-mile car through the Jaguar configurator brings an asking price more or less matching the £82,315 of our test car, meaning the £67,950 it's already plummeted to cost someone nearly six quid a mile in depreciation. Indeed, the patient could be rewarded further - if ever a car had depreciation hero writ large this is it. Meaning what might appear daft for £80K suddenly seems, relatively, a little more man maths friendly. Consider also that if you like the basic formula of a 500hp supercharged XF early Rs like the one PH once ran are now tickling 20 grand.

The kind of old man who might drive this Jag

Hold that thought though because we're talking here about the full fat S. Stratus Grey Metallic paints an entirely different picture for the XFR-S, likewise the no-cost smaller rear wing. The French Racing Blue that has represented the public face of the S so far is amusing ing but, frankly, not really in keeping. In grey, however, try hard becomes triple hard. If there's a more menacing front end to be seen in your mirror we've not encountered it and there's just a whiff of the villain about it. People often talk about the supposed old-man image Jaguar is trying hard to overturn; in this instance if there were a more mature gentleman at the wheel you might expect him to be more like Bricktop than a Telegraph-reading retired major on his way to the local golf club.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

There's a simmering level of Bricktop-like violence to the way the XFR-S drives too. It'll happily burble about at normal speeds but it doesn't take a heavy foot to overwhelm the rear tyres and elicit a little squirm from the back axle. Trac DSC will let you have a fleeting moment of heroism, 'off' demands respect, denial and a readiness to examine forward motion through the side windows. At motorway speeds the acceleration is, frankly, a bit daft. 70mph to ... beyond happens very quickly indeed, so fast in fact when you hit kickdown it's like being fired off the catapult on the front of an aircraft carrier. The turbocharged Germans need a fraction of a second to compose their fearsome boost - the Jag just goes. And that controversial ride? It's firm but four-square, the confidence inspiring lack of pitch and roll your trade for low-speed waftability.

Let depreciation do its worst and then strike

This 15,000-mile XFR-S is interesting for a press vehicle in that it feels more like a well-worn used car. Indeed, PH has previous with this XFR-S twice over, having ridden in it with Mike Cross and then borrowed it over Christmas. If you follow Mr Garlick on Twitter you'll have some idea of how much he liked it.

There is a polish to the leather of the wheel and a lived-in feel (see above) that suggests long-term an XFR-S would be a pleasing place to spend time, assuming the lofty seating position and, in parts, plasticky trim doesn't annoy you too much. And if it's a bit rich for you now just bide your time - Jaguar XFR-S we'll look forward to renewed encounters in the classifieds as the years go by.

JAGUAR XFR-S
Engine: 5,000cc, V8, supercharged
Transmission: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 550@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 502@2,500-5,500rpm
0-62mph: 4.6sec
Top speed: 186mph (limited)
MPG: 24.4 (Combined)
CO2: 270g/km
Price: £79,995 (before options, £82,315 as tested)

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mrclav

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