In the world of supercar->ke177-powerful wagons, there are very few names. Machines like the now-ancient Volvo->ke188 850R have given way to the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon, Audi RS6 and the Mercedes E63 AMG, but that still only represents three models out of the hundreds of cars available worldwide.

It now seems that there will be four insane wagons vying for your cash now, as Jaguar->ke39 has just officially announced the XFR-S Sportsbrake.

The behatched version of the XFR-S uses the same supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that is tuned to the sweet sound of 543 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. That means the 60 mph mark blows by in 4.6 seconds and the top speed rings in at 186 mph.

There is a dark cloud to this silver lining though. Just like the Sportbrakes that have come before, this Jag is not for U.S. consumption. Even if I won’t see them on US roads, I still praise Jaguar for putting their biggest engine into a wagon to begin with.

Bravo.

Click past the jump to read more about the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake.

2015 Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 543 @ 6500
  • Torque: 502 @ 2500
  • Transmission: Eight-speed Quickshift automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy shots

The prototype caught testing by our spy photographers wears a little bit of a camouflage, but it's easy to see that the production version to look identical to the sedan version, with exception to the rear cargo hull.

This means that the XFR-S Sportbrake will get a deeper front bumper with larger central and side air intakes, and a front splitter at the lower edge of the bumper.

For the rear, Jaguar will add an extended rear bumper and a new spoiler, but the sedan's rear wing will not convey to the station wagon version.

Exterior

The exterior of the XFR-S Sportbrake follows in the path of the sedan. The same aggressive nose with the massive intakes, R-S badges and red colors grille logo set this apart from more plebeian Jaguar wagons. 20-inch alloys, a rear bumper with integrated diffuser and quad exhaust tips finish out the “angry bastard” persona.

The XFR-S is easily one of the best looking über-sedans, and all that fury translates well into the wagon.

Other, more subtle details like blacked window trim and dark roof rails add a touch of menacing elegance to the overall package. A close eye will also notice the fender badges and grille trim get the dark treatment.

Interior

The inside of the XFR-S Sportbrake is traditional Jag with just a splash of sports car. The cabin is filled with leather, Warm Charcoal colored, but special carbon-fiber patterned leather is found on the bolsters and door trim to accent the real carbon found outside the car. The dash is covered in a unique dark aluminum trim that is only found the R-S cars and those leather seats can be finished with contrast stitching and piping in red blue or ivory.

Drivetrain

The XFR-S Sportbrake puts the power in powertrain with its force-fed engine. The 5.0-liter V8 is supercharged and massaged to produce 543 horsepower with 502 pounds of twist on tap. The engine has quad cams and is made almost entirely out of aluminum.

Helping to shuffle all that power to the rear wheels is Jaguar’s eight-speed automatic. The Sportbrake actually uses the newly developed Quickshift model that was created for the F-Type. This means rapid and crisp shifts as well as manual control with paddle shifters on the wheel.

It will never match up to the enjoyment that comes with a true manual setup in my mind, but it is a very good transmission nonetheless.

Engine

5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol

Capacity (cc)

5000

Bore/Stroke (mm)

92.5/93

Peak Power (hp@rpm)

543@6500

Peak Torque (lb/ft @rpm)

502@2500-5500

Transmission

Eight-speed 'Quickshift' automatic

0-60mph (secs)

4.6

Top Speed (mph/km/h)

186/300 (electronically limited)


Prices

No official price has been released yet, but don’t expect the Sportbrake to be too much more than the £80,000 asking price of the sedan.

Competitors

Audi RS6 Avant

The RS6 Avant is currently one of the most powerful sports wagon on the market. It is powered by a 4.0-liter, TFSI V-8 engine that delivers a total of 560 horsepower between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, and 516.29 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm.

The RS6 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in in just 3.9 seconds and up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. With the speed limiter removed, the RS6 can hit a 189 mph top speed.

Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon

A second alternative for those looking for a powerful station wagon is the E63 AMG. It is powered by an AMG 5.5-liter, V-8 biturbo engine that delivers a total of 577 horsepower at 5500 rpm and a peak torque of 590 pound-feet delivered between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm.

The E63 AMG wagon sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited).

History

Jaguar introduced the XF to its lineup back in 2007 as the replacement for the S-Type. The XF was previewed by the C-XF concept at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show and it hit showrooms in 2008 as a 2009 model year.

The U.S.-spec model initially had the choice of two engines: a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 or a supercharged 4.2-liter V-8 engine. For the 2010 model year, Jaguar replaced the 4.2-liter, supercharged engined with a new 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 engine rated 470 horsepower. Later in the 2010 model year, Jaguar extended the the XF lineup with the addition of the XFR version. It was powered by a new 5.0-liter, supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III engine rated 510 horsepower.

In 2012, Europe's XF lineup received a new member: the XF Sportbrake.

The XFR-S version is the latest model to join the lineup. It is powered by a 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 engine that delivers a total of 550 horsepower.

Conclusion

Like many enthusiasts, I lust greatly for five-door supercars, but we are in the minority. The Jaguar XFR-S Sportsbrake is far from the most powerful or most practical of its breed, but it looks damned good and it has the Jaguar exhaust roar. I want this car more than I want to breath in the morning. Looks like I need to start shopping for houses in Europe.