Tuesday 25th February 2014

Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake confirmed

RS6 and E63 triple test anyone?

---

Everyone loves a fast estate, don't they? Chris Harris loves them, Shed loves them and, with their return to touring cars, motorsport fans love them too. Now there's another joining the ranks of rapid wagons with the XFR-S Sportbrake.

Ultra Blue replaces French Racing for estate

Having speculated on the prospect of a 550hp XF Sportbrake last year, it's very pleasing to see the project become official. And moreover, it could well be a more desirable car than the superb saloon, even allowing for the PH predilection for lairy load-luggers.

The blue used in the shots here is Ultra Blue, a slightly more subtle shade than the exceptionally bold French Racing Blue launched with the saloon. It's still distinctive but slightly less in-yer-face than before. In fact the whole aesthetic is a little more discreet and desirable with just one (smallish) spoiler option as well. The shape arguably lends itself better to the 'S' addenda too. You will have of course already noted the 20-inch Varuna wheels, deeper front bumper and carbon rear diffuser.

The Sportbrake's powertrain is unsurprisingly identical to the four-door with 550hp and 502lb ft going to the rear wheels through an eight-speed Quickshift auto and active electronic diff. It's fractionally slower to 62 (4.8 against 4.6) and a tad thirstier (22.2 plays 24.4) but hits the same 186mph top speed.

Who wants to visit Ikea?

The extra mass that blunts those figures is managed in the Sportbrake by a few alterations to the rear suspension. Both spring rate and dampers have been revised which, say Jaguar, 'increase the feeling of connectivity with the road surface, allowing for confidence-inspiring handling and a supple, controlled ride'. Let's see how that transpires on the road given the furore around the saloon's ride...

As part of the 2015 MY Jaguar XF range, the R-S Sportbrake will debut at Geneva and be available to order on April 1. Despite that launch date, the price is very serious indeed: £82,495. That's nearly £6K more than the Audi RS6 (£76,985) and an even bigger jump over the Mercedes E63 wagon (£75,885). The E63 S is more at £85,880 but it is more powerful (585hp and 589lb ft); it's also a bigger estate (1,950 litres seats down against the Jag's 1,675) if that's important. Is it important?

 

[Trusty Steed]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 25 February 2014 at 10:58

[Mini1275]

What a superb looking estate.

The only thing I'm not sure on is the Black bar running along the boot.

[Pistachio]

Good News but why no awd/4wd version in Europe if you are going to compete with Audi head to head?
Correction above its head but still no 4WD.
Actually that is pretty expensive compared to the Audi which is mega.

[-crookedtail-]

A bit too expensive to really compete I think, the RS6 really is a bit of kit!

That being said, I still want it!

[gumsie]

Definitely last on the list. E63 first and RS6 second, (only a hairs breadth between them), XFR a distant 3rd IMO.

[smilo996]

All creidt to Jaguar for having the confidence now to be chasing zee Germans and getting closer and closer. For an Estate, it looks damn good and much less bland that the RS6.

[LuS1fer]

Fantastic.
Beats the bland (looking) German barges by a country mile.
Roll on depreciation.

[JDMDrifter]

This is epic, Jaguar seem to be building cars just for me. Shame I could never afford one

[Ex Boy Racer]

Why not do an XF-R estate first, at a more reasonable price?
And talking about the price, it seems pretty ambitious for what is a very dated car now. It's clear that Jag want to move their price point significantly upwards, but in my opinion too much too soon so far. Only a real Jag fan would choose this over the German competition; it can't be top of anyone's list on a rational level

[Cotic]

I've got a diesel S Sportbrake, and the rear suspension is air, so I'm not sure where the 'adjustment to spring rates' comes from. Is the rear suspension on this XFR-S steel sprung, then?

This is a cracking looking car, and with any luck this'll pave the way for future green-pump sportbrakes. As good as the diesel is, it ain't no V8.

Gratuitous photo below

[GG89]

That's a cracker. Very good looking if a bit on the pricey side.

[BBS-LM]

Love it, looks like a weapon, it will sure give Audi a run for there money. Bloody hell, Jag can do no wrong at the moment.

[MattDell]

[hornetrider]

Massive want.

See you in 6 years when you're sub 20k.

[framerateuk]

So, does this mean they're going to release a normal petrol V8 Sportbrake that isn't an R or R-S?

[David87]

Looks like it's time to finance myself up to my eyeballs.

[Hammerhead]

Cotic said:

I've got a diesel S Sportbrake, and the rear suspension is air, so I'm not sure where the 'adjustment to spring rates' comes from. Is the rear suspension on this XFR-S steel sprung, then?

You beat me to it re the Sportbrake being on air. Would also be interested to see if this version is on springs.

[QuattroDave]

Great looking car.

I agree with peoples views that the headline figure is a bit of a shocker against the Audi and Mercedes but I wonder what the price is when specced up as someone spending £80k on a car would.

If I recall the RS6 that was tested a little while back ended up costing £101k with options added on. I would be shocked if every option on the Jag came to even a third of the nearly £30k options on the Audi.

Who's got time to price up each of the cars to a similar spec and let us know the true price difference!?

[peter450]

It looks nice, bit the XF is quite a few years old now, and i would have thought they would have priced it to undercut rivals

[Fetchez la vache]

I may be wrong on this but isn't the XFR-S supposed to be a rock hard ride? Wouldn't an XFR have made more sense as an estate?

Otherwise I'd order one now for my fragile glass moving business...