Jaguar is set to unveil its 2015 model year XF Range at the Geneva International Motor Show 2014 in Switzerland. “The 2015 XF model range has an incredibly wide breadth of capability. From a blistering 0-60mph time of only 4.6 (4.4 for the XFR-S Saloon) seconds to emissions figures of just 129g/km from the XF R-Sport 2.2 Diesel – with 1675 litres of loadspace for all Sportbrake models – there’s a Jaguar XF to suit every taste.” Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar
JAGUAR’S 550PS XFR-S SPORTBRAKE: POTENT PERFORMANCE MEETS EVERYDAY PRACTICALITY
At-a-glance… The XFR-S Sportbrake is the first high-performance sports estate car to be produced by Jaguar The XFR-S Sportbrake builds on the already acclaimed XFR-S saloon – boasting the same power figures and levels of agility – with increased versatility and practicality Its 5.0-litre supercharged V8 delivers 550PS of power and 680Nm of torque with the added benefit of 1675 litres of rear load space when the rear seats are folded flat.
The XFR-S Sportbrake will sprint from zero to 60mph in 4.6 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 186mph (300km/h) An eight-speed transmission with ‘Quickshift’ functionality enables optimal acceleration throughout the speed and rev ranges The XFR-S Saloon’s chassis has been specifically retuned for the XFR-S Sportbrake Active electronic differential and Dynamic Stability Control systems from the XFR-S Saloon enhance the XFR-S Sportbrake’s handling characteristics Aerodynamic changes reduce lift compared to the standard Sportbrake and give the XFR-S Sportbrake an assertive appearance 20-inch ‘Varuna’ forged alloy wheels – the same as those fitted to the XFR-S Saloon – are shod with bespoke tyres to maximise grip Exclusive interior materials include carbon leather and contrasting highlight micro-piping and stitching “Combining real-world versatility with electrifying performance, the XFR-S Sportbrake brings Jaguar’s sporting character to life in a truly engaging car that will satisfy the most demanding of drivers while fitting into the most active of lifestyles.” Dean Murden, Vehicle Programme Director, Jaguar Summary.
The third model in Jaguar’s ultra-high performance R-S range, the XFR-S Sportbrake joins its XFR-S saloon sibling in the exclusive 300km/h club and is a vivid expression of Jaguar’s longstanding and legendary sports saloon lineage. The XFR-S Sportbrake incorporates engineering features from both the XKR-S and the all-new F-TYPE two-seater sports car to create the most driver-focused, agile and responsive iteration of Jaguar’s award-winning XF model range.
The XFR-S Sportbrake’s R-S powertrain, chassis and body enhancements enable the car to push the performance boundaries. Electrifying performance is provided by the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine, which now boasts 550PS and 680Nm – up 40PS and 55Nm respectively over its XFR installation. The increases 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 Sportbrake to accelerate to 60mph in 4.6 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 186mph (300km/h).
In order to manage the extra rear mass of the XFR-S Sportbrake while retaining the sharp turn-in and response of the XFR-S Saloon, the Sportbrake’s rear suspension has been modified with revisions to both rear spring rates and the adaptive damper tune. These revisions work together to increase the feeling of connectivity with the road surface, allowing for confidence-inspiring handling and a supple, controlled ride. Recalibrated active electronic differential and Dynamic Stability Control settings have been tuned to work with the XFR-S Sportbrake’s modified rear suspension to allow the enthusiastic driver to make the most of the car’s huge potential. Design Reflecting the changes under the skin, the appearance of the XFR-S Sportbrake has been subtly modified in order to allow the car to achieve its full potential.
As with the standard Jaguar Sportbrake, the combination of a flowing rear window graphic, rising waist and estate roofline lends the XFR-S Sportbrake a dynamic, broad-shouldered stance, while the extended roofline affords rear-seat passengers an additional 48mm of headroom and the seats offer both a 60:40 split fold function and integral ski hatch.Remote-fold levers inside the load-space opening allow the seats to be stowed flat quickly and easily, creating a cargo volume of up to 1675 litres. Rear lift has been reduced through the fitment of a spoiler mounted on the top of the rear hatch to manage the airflow off the top rear surface of the car. The new, deeper front bumper incorporates larger lower central and side air intakes – the former framed in carbon fibre – in order to provide adequate airflow into the engine bay.
A front splitter at the lower edge of the bumper provides the first of a number of aerodynamic changes designed to smooth the passage of the car through the air at very high speeds. The extended side sills and aeroblade mouldings behind the front wheels serve to create a sharp break-off point between the lower bodywork and the road surface in order to keep the airflow attached to the car’s sides for as long as possible. The same thinking dictated the deeper side mouldings behind the rear wheels. This extended rear bumper also incorporates a central, carbon fibre diffuser, deeper than the item found on the XFR and which travels further under the rear of the car to reduce lift. The wider, six-spoke, 20-inch lightweight Varuna forged alloy wheels provide the XFR-S Sportbrake with a purposeful, broad-shouldered stance and come as standard with a dual finish. A ceramic polish is applied to the outer surfaces, its eye-catching appearance contrasting with inner gloss black areas. As an option the wheels can be supplied in either full gloss black or technical grey finishes.
The assertive appearance of the XFR-S Sportbrake is further enhanced through the use of gloss black trim in place of chrome around the grille, within the side vent, around the front and rear screens, windows and across the bootlid. The mesh in the front grilles is also a purposeful gloss black. XFR-S Sportbrake customers can choose from an exterior palette comprising five colours: Ultra Blue, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Polaris White and Italian Racing Red. This colour palette is complemented inside the XFR-S Sportbrake with Warm Charcoal leather trim on the seats and doors enhanced through the use of carbon effect leather.
Exclusive to R-S cars, this is used on the seat bolsters and arm rests and reflects the use of exotic carbon fibre on the aerodynamic elements of the car. The seats themselves are embossed with the R-S logo and can be finished with a choice of contrast colour micro-piping and stitching in either red, blue or ivory. The same subtle enhancement runs across the top of the dashboard, the fascia of which is finished in a Dark Aluminium unique to the R-S, complete with badging. Performance The XFR-S Sportbrake 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 (186mph) club of ultra-high performance cars. 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.