RE: Jaguar XFR-S estate spied...

RE: Jaguar XFR-S estate spied...

Wednesday 24th July 2013

Jaguar XFR-S estate spied...   

...but is it going to be built or not? PH makes the case for a yes



A test mule for what appears to be a Jaguar XFR-S estate is currently doing the rounds, both of the Nurburgring and online motoring media. But is Jaguar actually going to build one or is it just having a bit of fun with a rather cool test mule?

XFR-S valance for this test mule
XFR-S valance for this test mule
Currently the most potent XF Sportbrake you can buy fuels from the black pump, the surprisingly silky 275hp V6 diesel S good for a sub-six 0-62mph time, 159g/km and high 40s mpg. All very good for those living in that mythical ‘real world’.

But in the one also populated by recently updated E63 AMG wagons and all-new AudiRS6 Avant we’d be rather keen for Jaguar to get stuck in and build a Sportbrake with the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that does such sterling service in various hot Jags and Range Rovers. Whether in 510hp R tune or more potent 550hp R-S form it’d be more than enough to go chasing the Audis and Mercs and makes for an enticing prospect for lovers of fast wagons. Certainly this test car would seem to have an XFR-S style front valance with the additional ‘gills’ in the intakes and diffuser in the rear bumper, not to mention the S wheels and brakes, but beyond that it’s hard to say what’s going on beneath.

Pretty fetching in prototype black, has to be said
Pretty fetching in prototype black, has to be said
This assumes it’s indicative of something that may be built of course. Autocar says the test mule is just that and “although technically possible” it “remains a project of Jaguar’s Engineered to Order ‘skunk works’ division” and the demand isn’t there.

The American news sites discussing the car would beg to differ, both on the demand and Jaguar’s inclination to build it.

So we asked Jaguar, not especially optimistic of anything conclusive, and a spokesperson said “I can’t comment on product speculation.” No surprises there. He did continue, “At any time, around 30 test cars run at our Nurburgring facility. Exciting stuff. Of course an XFR-S Sportbrake is possible. But definitely no plans at this time.”

Is there a market for fast estate cars though? Funnily enough we were chatting with Ford about this in conversation about our Focus ST fleet car. As mentioned, Ford eventually hopes the estate version will account for 20 per cent of ST sales, from a current level of 10 per cent. But what about the Audis and Mercs higher up the food chain an XFR-S would be doing battle with? RS Avants are the hot Audi heartland of course and there’s no saloon version of the RS6, this role now filled by the RS7 Sportback.

We want this appearing in AMG/Audi RS mirrors!
We want this appearing in AMG/Audi RS mirrors!
Over at AMG C63 saloons out-sell estates to the tune of nearly 4:1 but demand for the wagon has increased by 104.2 per cent year to date, compared with 44.5 per cent for the four-door. It’s more like 5:1 for E63 but in the case of the CLS63 it’s just over 2:1, suggesting the slinkier Shooting Brake format is very much en vogue and there is indeed a market for glamorous V8-powered 500hp-plus estates.

There’s your evidence Jaguar. Now just go and build it. Here to help and all that.

[Sources: MotorAuthority, Automobile, Autocar, HKCarworld.com]

 

Author
Discussion

ecs0set

Original Poster:

2,470 posts

283 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Much want! Although I suspect the fuel bills might be a bit eye-watering.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Lovely. True to the Jaguar motto too: Grace, pace, space. (By modern standards of course)

Dusty964

6,919 posts

189 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Am I alone in thinking the rear wheels look tiny on that?
Not keen I'm afraid


adzpz

185 posts

167 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
So much want - although the running costs of this type of car mean that sadly the big diesels make more sense.

TaylotS2K

1,964 posts

206 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Looks very nice for an estate.

don logan

3,511 posts

221 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
A friend has the current XF-R, I really enjoyed it except for the "e diff", build quality was great, ride was quite amazing, it was super quite (road and wind noise) exhaust was too quiet but it was quick enough!

It was also cheap to buy at £31k for 11k miles!

Whenever the owner and I talk about his car we both comment on how great it would be if they made an estate version.

British Beef

2,191 posts

164 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all

Very nice, only thing missing for me is a nice 6 speed manual! Auto is nice and suits the diesels very well, but a manual "drivers" option for this and the F-type, would fill the only holes in the model line up IMO.

I was actually thinking the other day that an XJ Supersport Estate (or shooting brake or whatever they are called) could also make a very nice car, Limo space and comfort, estate practicality, that V8 and those XJ looks... Lovely!

don logan

3,511 posts

221 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
British Beef said:
Very nice, only thing missing for me is a nice 6 speed manual! Auto is nice and suits the diesels very well, but a manual "drivers" option for this and the F-type, would fill the only holes in the model line up IMO.

I was actually thinking the other day that an XJ Supersport Estate (or shooting brake or whatever they are called) could also make a very nice car, Limo space and comfort, estate practicality, that V8 and those XJ looks... Lovely!
If they made a manual............ PHWOAR!!!!!!!!


redroadster

1,729 posts

231 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Jaguar getting there model range right,this brand is going in right direction, far more exclusive than bmw etc.

edinph

386 posts

173 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
At last, a non diesel XF wagon! Black one living near me is delicious!

GranCab

2,902 posts

145 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Sales in the UK will be tiny

T1berious

2,242 posts

154 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
redroadster said:
Jaguar getting there model range right,this brand is going in right direction, far more exclusive than bmw etc.
^this^

Jaguar \ Land Rover are creating insanely desirable cars at the moment. Even the Mrs would go for a XF!

They have really nailed it with a very modern, classy and understated look. XF makes the 5 series and E class look quite boring. (IMHO)

Much want!

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Fantastic looking car from the side profile, huge want from me.

Prawnboy

1,326 posts

146 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
i didn't realise that the XF's i see with an 's' on the back were Derv. Thought they had the supercharged petrol in it allready.


can't beleive they didn't

get this built now!!

TheRoadWarrior

1,241 posts

177 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
GranCab said:
Sales in the UK will be tiny
Indeed.

WE might all think it's a great idea but the chances are that Joe-Public wont really have much need for an estate car with ~20mpg fuel economy.

bp1000

873 posts

178 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Beast i hope they sell some to make it worthwhile, it is a very narrow market

I personally prefer the saloon versions

Seriously looking at swapping my XFR in for an XFR-S but it will be the saloon. The rear space is very good and the boot is massive. The big dirty stuff goes into the mrs car.


don logan

3,511 posts

221 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
TheRoadWarrior said:
Indeed.

WE might all think it's a great idea but the chances are that Joe-Public wont really have much need for an estate car with ~20mpg fuel economy.
I don`t think it`s about "need"!

(speaking as an ex 2004 E55 Estate owner)

ACTUALLY it`s ALL about "need", I "needed" to obliterate a Testarossa on my way to the 2005 Monaco GP! :-)

Edited by don logan on Wednesday 24th July 13:55

XJR500bhp

1,191 posts

209 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Prawnboy said:
i didn't realise that the XF's i see with an 's' on the back were Derv. Thought they had the supercharged petrol in it allready.


can't beleive they didn't

get this built now!!
Not entirely true, the old XF's had a silver S by themselves, or SV8 and some of them had the older supercharged V8.


Amirhussain

11,486 posts

162 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
Whats the point of the camouflaged front end, we all know what it looks like.

Benbay001

5,794 posts

156 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
My ultimate daily drive.