Jaguar XFR-S | Spotted
Remember when Jaguar's best saloon went a bit bonkers?
While the XJR nameplate is probably the more iconic one in Jaguar’s past, it’s the single generation of XFR that probably best encapsulated what a Jag supersaloon should be. It was supremely fast, wonderful to drive, beautifully appointed and very cool to boot. When some of the very best German equivalents were available, the Jaguar could absolutely compete - and in some cases beat - the rival machines.
In the great supersaloon power wars, however, it didn’t take long for a 510hp Jaguar to look just a little undernourished. Naturally aspirated M cars and AMGs evolved into twin-turbo monsters, wiping out the on-paper advantage held by the supercharged XFR. The solution? More power, obviously.
The XFR-S was the result, a final edition of a much-loved machine. While elements of the package looked a bit old by 2013 - the interior most notably - a boost for the 5.0 V8 to 550hp and more than 500lb ft kept the vitals competitive. The front suspension was totally overhauled, the eight-speed XF revised and bespoke Pirellis fitted to really make the most of the huge performance.
Plus there was the spoiler, of course. Introduced as part of an updated aero package for the R-S, it wasn’t actually compulsory. But a bit like French Racing Blue, the giant wing became part of the uniform. On this example, one of only around 150 that were ever sold, the spoiler stands proud. Stratus Grey is more subtle than the blue, but the aero addenda ensure the Jag’s status is never in doubt. Only the XJR 575 and Project 8 offered more power in a Jaguar four-door saloon.
Furthermore, while a significant £15k more than a standard XFR when new, the limited edition nature of the R-S - plus the fact that there was never another V8 XF - has meant values have never dropped quite as low. This 550hp car is for sale at £30k with a smidge under 60,000 miles; the dealer also has a lower mileage, older standard for sale at £15k. So exactly half the money, or almost exactly what separated them when new.
With Jaguar’s future electric (for now), it’ll be those really special V8s like the XFR-S that remain desirable in the years to come. This one was serviced this week and is MOT’d until the end of the year. Get that screen updated with a CarPlay/Android Auto unit and you’re set with a Jag for any occasion. Just be prepared for some extra attention thanks to you know what…
SPECIFICATION | 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
MPG: 24.4 (combined)
CO2: 270g/km
Year registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 59,000
Price new: £79,995
Yours for: £29,925
ETA - yep, plus a load of other stuff. I just got out of a pre-facelift XF after 8 years of ownership and while I absolutely loved the car it was an annual stream of jobs. Probably about 3 complete sets of brake discs and pads in 60,000 miles because it would eat the rears and the fronts kept developing wobbles. A complete rear-subframe swap out (2 day job) because the original was threatening to become Swiss cheese, two sets of lower rear wishbones (fair to say the upper ones lasted) and complete replacement of all front suspension components. The car had 63,000 miles on it when I sold it.
They are heavy cars and most of the wear and tear stuff is on the absolute limit of spec with little to no headroom for 'extended' maintenance intervals, plus the subframes and other metalwork that isn't actual bodyshell are poorly rust protected from the factory. I am willing to bet that the rear bumper bar on this car is nothing bust rust-flakes held in place by the plastic cover. It is an easy bolt-on fix, but new replacements are rare and expensive, and second-hand ones rarer because so many have already rusted to powder.
Whether its an F type, an I pace or chunky saloon with a V8, the people behind that brand really need a kick in the balls at how they threw away such a bloody good brand in the bin.
Whether its an F type, an I pace or chunky saloon with a V8, the people behind that brand really need a kick in the balls at how they threw away such a bloody good brand in the bin.
I feel there would be alot of kicking going back a long way.. For as long as I can remember they were brand never totally fulfilled. When I was 20 , in the late seventies , my boss had an XJS and that was always going wrong . My Uncle had a whole series of XJ and they were always unreliable and fell to pieces .I see Jaguar as producing just a few gems In an otherwise outdated range of products that clung on to its heritage with products that aged badly and proved expensive to own when compared to what the Germans did Why they never did a 3 litre XK as well as a 5 I’ll never understand . The F type never managed to outplay the Boxster . This XF never outplayed an M5 . They have been hanging onto the cliff face by their fingernails for years
Whether its an F type, an I pace or chunky saloon with a V8, the people behind that brand really need a kick in the balls at how they threw away such a bloody good brand in the bin.
It had its good moments in the recent past, but ultimately it wasn’t selling enough cars to survive on its own. And since we’re talking about saloons, there are probably 4 bmw every XF. And that’s in the uk - imagine in mainland Europe.
There is some heritage to celebrate, surely. But not really much to save in the old company.
Why? In terms of “what did Jaguar try to create here?” A highly usable, ruthlessly competent super-saloon that could out point the obvious rivals. Honestly, 10/10.
I’ve owned more beautiful cars. I’ve owned faster cars, but the sheer QUALITY (ouch, I sound like a football pundit) of the car was unlike anything else. E63 felt really wooden in comparison and the ride was much too hard. The M5 felt faster but not as linear and not as “rich”. Weird word to describe a car, but it just didn’t go or ride with the same sophistication.
I loved mine. Did 20k miles in the first year, then put Spires back boxes on for the second year. Oh my, what a sound. Wish I had done it sooner.
I sold it when I got a dog. Missed it so much that I had to get back into that drivetrain. Have been dailying an F Pace SVR for the last 2 years. A PH favourite. It’s good. Very good, but it’s not a patch on the XFRS.
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