At seven years old the XFR-S isn’t that long in the tooth, but it’s already an esteemed member of the Old School. Beneath its four-door frame there’s a decidedly vintage recipe, one that places a thumping V8 into the nose of a saloon body. Extinction for the breed beckons because aside from BMW’s lone wolf M5 the segment has been obliterated – even V8 stronghold AMG is soon to provide its 63 models with hybrid four-pot power. Jag’s far past that stage, of course, as barring the limited run XE SV Project 8, the firm’s saloon range is limited to no more than six cylinders. If you want eight-pot power in a series run Jag, it’s either F-Type sports car or F-Pace SUV.
Part of that must be attributed to Jag’s recent efforts to turnaround its fortunes and focus on the most profitable models, namely its SUVs, as well as its electric range which will include the upcoming XJ range-topper. But it also illustrates the shift in global car demand, with people swapping saloons for crossovers even back when the XFR-S was new. Thankfully, Jag’s got the hang of hot SUVs right away, with its F-Pace SVR standing tall as one of the segment’s greatest driver’s cars. But great as the SUV is at filling the void, there’s nothing like a proper super saloon, is there?
Swapping from Jaguar’s V8 F-Pace into one of its most beguiling saloons ever illustrates just how good we had it. It’s not just because of the comparably low seat position or lines of a muscular four-door with an offensive rear wing, either. It’s as much to do with that wonderful thing called cohesion, primarily between 550hp supercharged powertrain and sweetly balanced, truly athletic chassis. Although the XFR-S’s raucous engine note has always suggested otherwise, it is far from an animal.
Make no mistake, an XFR-S will happily turn rubber into blue smoke upon request. But pedalled with finesse Jag’s former M5 rival will reward with sports car-like body control, communicative steering and a delicate on-throttle adjustability that’s impossible to fully replicate in taller, heavier things. What Jag saloons have lacked in chintz and cabin tech, they’ve often made up for in rewarding on-road performance, and the XFR-S has remained a perfect example of the breed. Albeit one that some have argued is a little too focussed for everyday use due to its firm suspension setup.
That might have been a problem when the car was new and facing Germany’s more rounded alternatives. But today, as a used proposition likely reserved for weekend duties, it’s going to be less of an issue. In fact, it could even be a plus for those wanting the most authentic super saloon experience. Today’s Spotted stands a very good chance of offering just that, with only 30,000 miles on the odometer, Pirelli P Zero boots and an apparently unmarked set of alloys all suggesting it’s been run correctly by an enthusiast – although you might argue that’s by default for a leftfield choice like this.
Either way, the XFR-S is ideally positioned to reward its next custodian to the fruits of Jaguar’s recent past. Those traits will only get more significant in this decade, too, because that brilliant supercharged 5.0-litre will be superseded by a BMW turbocharged 4.4-litre in the coming year or two. Quite literally all of the greatest parts that made up the XFR-S will soon be consigned to history. That fact alone is reason enough to part with £30k. Throw in a superlative super-saloon and there's really no excuse.
JAGUAR XFR-S
Engine: 5,000cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 550@6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 502@2,500-5,500rpm
MPG: 22.2
CO2: 297g/km
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 30,000
Price new: £82,495
Yours for: £28,993
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