Fast facts
- The XFR-S is Jaguar's fastest, most powerful and agile sports saloon ever
- Power and torque of the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 have been increased to 404kW and 680Nm
- The XFR-S will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 300
km/h
- An eight-speed transmission with 'Quickshift' functionality enables optimal acceleration throughout the speed and rev
ranges
- Comprehensive front and rear suspension upgrades maximise response with lateral stiffness up by 30%
- Electronic active differential and Dynamic Stability Control systems have also been recalibrated to enhance handling
characteristics
- New, wider, 20-inch 'Varuna' forged alloy wheels are shod with bespoke tyres to maximise grip
- Aerodynamic changes, with extensive use of carbon fibre construction, reduce lift by 68% and give the car an
assertive appearance
- Exclusive interior materials include carbon leather and contrasting highlight micro-piping and stitching
The Detail
The Jaguar XFR-S incorporates engineering features from both the XKR-S and the all-new F-TYPE two-seater sports car to
make the most driver-focused, agile and responsive iteration of Jaguar's award-winning XF saloon range. The XFR-S has
been developed by Jaguar Land Rover's specialist ETO division - its bespoke powertrain, chassis and body enhancements
enabling it to push the performance boundaries.
Electrifying performance is provided by the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine which now boasts 404kW and 680Nm.
The increases over XFR have been achieved through revisions to the engine management system and optimisation of the flow
of air both into and out of the engine.
Fitted with an eight-speed transmission incorporating Jaguar's 'Quickshift' technology (developed for the F-TYPE), the
increase in engine output allows the XFR-S to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, and on to an electronically limited
top speed of 300km/h (where legal).
Airflow has been carefully managed in order to both allow the engine to operate at peak efficiency and let the car
cleave the air cleanly and safely. The resulting body changes have provided a distinctively assertive appearance,
beginning with the deeper front bumper with its larger lower air intakes, vertical vanes and carbon fibre front
splitter.
Deeper sills and unique 'aero-blades' ensure a clean passage of air along the side of the car and on to the deeper
rear bumper sides while a carbon fibre rear diffuser between the signature quad tailpipes extends underneath the rear of
the XFR-S to reduce lift. It is aided in this by a boot lid mounted spoiler, two designs being available. Overall lift is
reduced by 68%.
The unique 20-inch lightweight forged alloy 'Varuna' wheels are wider front and rear and are shod with specially
developed Pirelli rubber, giving the XFR-S a more 'muscular' stance and increasing its grip and stability. Allied to
this are extensive suspension revisions which serve to increase lateral suspension stiffness by 30% for greater steering
precision and responsiveness.
Revisions to both spring rates and the adaptive damper tune increase the feeling of connectivity with the road
surface, providing confidence-inspiring handling and a supple, controlled ride. Recalibrated active electronic
differential and Dynamic Stability Control settings allow the enthusiastic driver to make the most of the huge potential
of the XFR-S.
The car's intent is underlined by the technical palette of materials used on the interior. This includes carbon
leather on the seat bolsters and arm rests and a Dark Aluminium fascia, both of which are exclusive to the R-S range.
Providing a further unique touch are a choice of contrasting colour stitching and micro-piping which can be matched to
the exterior paint scheme.
"In developing the XFR-S the engineering challenge was to extend the considerable dynamic abilities common to the
entire XF range. The bespoke chassis, powertrain and body enhancements meet that challenge and give the XFR-S its focused
performance edge." ..... Andrew Whyman, Chief Programme Engineer, Jaguar XF.
Powertrain
5.0-litre supercharged V8
The XFR-S features Jaguar's acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine in its most potent form matched to an
eight-speed transmission with Quickshift functionality. This all-new combination provides a visceral blend of vivid
acceleration, driver involvement and control plus entry to the exclusive 300km/h club of ultra-high performance cars.
"The XFR-S is a very harmonious product in the way it looks, the way it handles and the way the powertrain
responds. The car has instant response to any driver input and as a result feels connected from the outset." .....
Tim Clark, Technical Specialist for Performance and Driveability Attributes, Jaguar.
The all-aluminium quad-cam engine delivers not only extreme performance but also tremendous efficiency thanks to the
technologies incorporated into it, including spray-guided direct injection (SGDI) and dual independent variable cam
timing (DIVCT).
The high-pressure die-cast lightweight aluminium block is stiffened with cast iron liners and cross-bolted main
bearing caps, providing refinement to match its power. The four-valve cylinder heads are constructed from recycled
aluminium, between them sitting the Roots-type twin vortex supercharger fed by two intercoolers. These feature their own
water-cooling circuit to reduce the temperature of the pressurised air to optimise power and efficiency.
In order to help liberate the additional power and torque over the standard XFR, larger front air intakes in the lower
bumper of the XFR-S allow greater volumes of air to be fed into the engine. The intake system also features a symposer
that channels more of the induction noise into the cabin, adding to the aural excitement of driving the XFR-S.
The result is a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 300km/h.
The exhaust system has been optimised in order to channel the waste gases away from the engine with the greatest
efficiency. The central silencer has been replaced with an X-piece and near straight-through rear pipes combining to
provide an enhanced exhaust note with the added benefit of a motor sport-style crackle on the overrun.
A number of key driveline components have been uprated in order to both adapt the XFR-S for the greater power and
torque outputs and stiffen the entire drivetrain to make its responses more immediate; these include uprated driveshafts,
a larger central bearing on the propshaft and a new torque convertor.
This series of changes has allowed Jaguar's engineers to tune the throttle response to suit the more focused nature of
the XFR-S. Applying learning from the new F-TYPE sports car, the response to throttle inputs has been made significantly
quicker. The end result is an intimate connection between the driver's right foot and the engine. Engaging Dynamic Mode
increases this still further with a greater engine response for a given movement of the accelerator pedal.
Eight-speed Quickshift Transmission
Maximising the benefit of the engine recalibration is the eight-speed automatic transmission with Quickshift
technology.
Developed for the F-TYPE sports car, Quickshift ideally suits the XFR-S's focused and involving remit. When the
enthusiastic driver changes up a gear manually by using the steering wheel-mounted paddles, the Quickshift strategy
ensures the quickest, crispest shifts via rapid and precisely timed engine torque intervention.
When downshifting (either manually or when in Sport mode) the engine management system automatically blips the
throttle to ensure the XFR-S remains balanced and composed, particularly important on entry to a corner. This function
also allows the transmission to perform multiple and very rapid downshifts during hard braking.
When operating in automatic mode, the transmission can detect the manner in which the car is being driven by
monitoring acceleration and braking, cornering forces, throttle and brake pedal activity, road load and kickdown request.
On detecting a more enthusiastic driving style, the transmission will automatically make the gearshifts more aggressive
and move the shift-up point higher in the rev range.
Corner Recognition senses when the car is negotiating a bend, the transmission holding the correct gear for the exit.
The transmission will also recognise when the car is performing a series of overtaking manoeuvres requiring rapid changes
in throttle position and, rather than change up, remain in a lower gear ready for the next demand for acceleration.
The eight-speed transmission also allows the XFR-S to be offered as standard with Jaguar's Intelligent Stop/Start
system. This automatically shuts down the engine when the car comes to a halt and the brake pedal is depressed. When the
brake is released, the system will restart the engine in less time than it takes for the driver's foot to move to the
accelerator.
A twin solenoid system, it allows for 'change of mind' functionality, bringing the engine back up to speed even during
its run-down phase if, for instance, the car is coming to a halt at a junction and the driver sees an opportunity to join
the traffic flow.
Dynamics
"With the XFR we have a very credible, competitive platform with which to work. What we have given the XFR-S is
greater handling capacity, greater precision and greater capability. It's a car for driving purists - it will feel
engaging within the first 50 metres but remains accessible and confidence-inspiring at any speed." ..... Mike Cross,
Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar.
The dynamic characteristics of the XFR-S were informed by the engineering development of both the XKR-S and the
F-TYPE, the result being an incredibly agile, responsive and involving super saloon.
Both front and rear suspension systems have been uprated and carefully tuned over tens of thousands of miles at
Jaguar's testing centre at the legendary Nürburgring, the high-speed bowl at Nardo in Italy and, of course, the
engineers' favourite roads around the Gaydon Research and Development centre and in northern Wales.
Overall lateral suspension stiffness has been increased by 30 per cent front and rear, with front and rear spring
rates increased by the same amount.
Front suspension knuckles have been revised in line with those found on the XKR-S to achieve the increased camber and
castor stiffness which, along with new wheel bearings, optimise steering and handling precision. The steering system has
additionally benefited from the fitment of the valving developed for the F-TYPE.
At the rear a new subframe has enabled revisions to suspension geometry which, allied to stiffer bushes - new rear
knuckles and working in tandem with the stiffer springs - increase stability and response.
In order to achieve the maximum benefit from the suspension revisions, the XFR-S has new lightweight, forged 20-inch
'Varuna' alloy wheels. These are half an inch wider at the front and an inch wider at the rear in comparison to the
wheels found on the XFR but their construction means there is no weight penalty to be paid.
The tyres, developed in conjunction with Pirelli exclusively for the XFR-S, are 10mm wider all round, being 265/35 and
295/30 front/rear. The difference between the wheel rim and tyre width increases has the effect of pre-loading the
sidewall to improve handling and steering response without adversely affecting refinement.
Working in harmony with the uprated suspension, wheels and tyres are revised electronic programmes controlling the
Adaptive Dynamics, active electronic differential and Dynamic Stability Control systems.
Jaguar's Adaptive Dynamics system actively controls vertical body movement, roll and pitch rates through the use of
continuously variable dampers. The system monitors driver inputs and the road conditions, adjusting damper rates in
response up to 500 times a second to optimise stability and agility. The driver's selection of Dynamic Mode offers
enhanced body control through moving the damping rates to the firmer end of the available range.
The Jaguar active electronic differential - which can apply full locking torque almost instantaneously when necessary
- has been recalibrated in order to exploit the greater grip offered by the wider rear tyres, the more precisely
controlled suspension and the engine output. Working in parallel with the differential, the 'Trac DSC' setting of the
Dynamic Stability
Control system now offers the enthusiastic driver more opportunity to explore the outer edges of the handling envelope
while nevertheless providing a discreet safety net.
Providing equal levels of confidence is Jaguar's High Performance Braking System which offers an unmatched combination
of power, stability and fine modulation. The 380mm front and 376mm rear discs are internally ventilated for assured
repeated stopping power and on XFR-S benefit from additional cooling provided by under-body air channelling.
Design
"The Design Team was very conscious that it would be the aerodynamic solutions required to deliver the performance
of the XFR-S that would dictate its aesthetics. This is a concentrated and focused car and the design revisions and the
materials used all reflect that." ..... Wayne Burgess, Studio Director, Jaguar Design.
Reflecting the changes under the skin, the appearance of the XFR-S has been subtly modified in order to allow the car
to achieve its full potential.
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Self-Catering Holiday
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