Jaguar’s display at the Los Angeles Auto Show had a distinct high-performance feel with the debuts of the racy XFR-S and customizing options for the glorious F-Type which has been confirmed for local launch in the first quarter if next year.
Put simply, the XFR-S is the fastest and most powerful Jaguar to-date. And it has to be as the British marque has in its sights the likes of Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and BMW M5 (the two best cars we drove this year).
Under the bonnet, the Jaguar XFR-S employs the superb 404kW/680Nm supercharged 5.0-litre V8 driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
And let’s not beat around the bush, the sporty ‘Big Cat’ looks simply stunning – the front end highlighted by a carbon-fibre splitter and larger bumper with deeper cool-air ducts. The side scores larger skirts with ‘aero blades’ while the rear sees a carbon-fibre diffuser, unique bumper and a choice of two bootlid spoilers.
Wheels are massive 20-inch ‘Varuna’ alloys with new Pirelli rubber.
Naturally Jaguar has substantially re-worked the XFR-S’ suspension – dampers, electronic differential, spring rates and steering all re-calibrated to suit the 30 per-cent stiffer set-up.
Inside are sports seats in ‘Warm Charcoal’ leather with carbon-fibre look and a ‘dark Aluminium’ finish for the dashboard.
Look for the stunning Jaguar XFR-S to appear ‘Downunder’ mid next year although pricing has not been finalized.
The Jaguar F-Type in ‘Firesand’ paintwork was a head-turner to highlight the impressive customization options from which F-Type buyers can choose. For example, exterior ‘Design’ and ‘Black’ packs bring body-colour elements in the form of side sills, front splitter and rear diffuser while the grille and roll bars get a gloss black treatment.
Inside was a flat-bottom steering wheel and trim accents in high-gloss black.
If you ask us, the bottom in all of this is simple: Jaguar is back to its best and there is not one single Jaguar model lacking ‘Must-Have’ status.
