The 2010 Jaguar XFR is simply the best sports car value on the market today. Don't be fooled by the vehicle's four door appearance because this factory tuned hot rod is anything but an ordinary sports sedan. The vehicle offers unmatched levels of performance, style and luxury. Staring off, the car’s 5.0 Liter supercharged V8 that pumps out 510 HP allowing the XFR to rocket to 60 MPH from a standstill in just 4.7 seconds. Next our XFR’s Aero Performance Design bodywork is covered in a very attractive Indigo Blue metallic paint and is made to look even better with the large 20 inch Nevis wheels. Finally the interior has been crafted with unique R soft grain leather and suede, materials you won’t even find in a Bentley, and it is all priced at only $80,000.

We thoroughly enjoyed our opportunity to get to know the XFR intimately, just being behind the wheel made our test editors giddy with excitement. Just knowing that there is so much power at your disposal is enough to put a grin on any gear head's face. The XFR is an incredible performance machine that is capable of mind numbing speeds while still maintainging the elegance and presence that comes standard with any Jaguar. In our opinion the XFR is a steal, in order to find this level of performance, style and luxury prepare to spend a bit more than $100,000.

Continued after the jump.

2010 Jaguar XFR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Jaguar XFR
  • Engine/Motor: Supercharged V8
  • Horsepower: 510
  • Torque: 461
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior Impression:

The Jaguar XFR looks eerily similar to the standard XF, not that it is a bad thing, and where the two do differentiate it appears to be in the name of purpose; like the larger unobstructed air intakes in the front bumper and the functional vents in the hood as well as the subtle rear spoiler and integrated rear diffuser. All of these new body pieces work together to delicately enhance the XFR over the standard model in a manner where form and fashion work together to make our Indigo Blue Jaguar look very aggressive.

Just like the regular XF this attractive performance sedan pushes the envelope as far as fast backs and four door sports car styling is concerned. The unique headlights set this car apart from any other vehicle, the way the headlights bulge up, towards the hood, makes the XFR look as if it is staring you in the face and screaming at you through the larger openings in the front. The rear of the car shows off Jaguar’s ability to meld the muscular boxy shape with such round edges to create a vehicle that will turn heads for many years to come.

The fastest XF rides on a set of vehicle specific R Performance 20 inch Nevis wheels whose split seven spoke fan blades look like they were milled out of a solid chunk aluminum giving the XFR a sense of speed, style and strength. The XFR also gets a unique set of quad tipped exhaust pipes that add to the vehicle’s sporty nature. Overall the vehicle is stunning like the original and through a few well placed bulges, strapping like the speed machine that it truly is.

Interior Impression:

The interior of the Jaguar XFR rivals much more expensive luxury carmakers like Aston Martin and even Bentley. Everything from the dark wood trim and London Tan/Charcoal color scheme to the leather wrapped dash and suede covered headliner, this XF stands head and shoulders above other performance sedans in terms of luxury, style and comfort. Once you are done picking your jaw up off the leather trimmed floor mats you will notice the little red button with the word START written on it. Push down on the round switch and aside from the sound of a 510 HP supercharged V8 filling the air, the Jaguar Drive Selector arises from its resting place and the same time the flat uninterrupted surface in front of the passengers opens up to reveal a breeze of fresh air.

The seats are quite possibly the most well finished units inside of the XFR, their two tone leather design and complimentary stitching are pure eye candy, especially with the stamped R logo into each backrest. The same stitching highlights the edge of the dark leather wrapped dash and adds a bit of warmth to the generally dark interior. However the highlight of sports car’s cabin is the excessive amount of suede that covers everything from the A, B and C pillar posts to the visors, this also adds a natural sense of progression pulling your eyes away from the black carpeting and up to the light suede covered headliner. It’s touches like these that set the XFR apart from other luxury sports cars leaving it all alone in a class by itself.

Our XFR had an in dash Bang & Wolfson HD radio and a six CD changer that care controlled by a 7 inch touch screen display, the unit actually rivals the Lexus in novice confusion, but after a while it becomes somewhat intuitive. Not to worry because the traditional analog controls for the climate work quite well and the view from the front seats is nothing short of spectacular. However, although the back seats are as well finished as up front, six footers who find themselves in the rear will be looking for a little additional headroom due to the cars fastback profile.

The Drive:

Although the XFR has four doors, don’t be fooled by the sedan label, this is truly an Autobahn burner made for transporting five lucky individuals to very important events at very high speeds. The crown jewel of the Jaguar XFR is the 5.0 Liter supercharged V8 that sits between the front wheels and sends 510 HP and 461 lb-ft of torque through a paddle shifted six speed transmission and then 90 degrees in either direction to the rear wheels via an electronically controlled active differential. This much power allows the Jaguar XFR to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH while still returning around 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway.

Our XFR had so much power on tap that we found it impossible to creep around in; instead the R version lurches off the line making us think twice about pressing our right foot to the floor board. Surrounding the shift knob, there were a few familiar buttons and a few new ones as well. We remembered how to disable the DSC, but the button with the checkered flag was a pleasant surprise, it was very interesting to see how the sport mode controlled every aspect of the XFR’s performance. When cruising along at 60 MPH, when the button is hit the tachometer jumps up from just a tick under 2000 RPM to just below 4000 RPM waking up the feline’s engine, you can even feel the XFR’s electromagnetic dampeners stiffening up getting ready to do their job keeping the Jaguar stuck to the road with disrupting the vehicle’s luxurious ride, a very impressive feat considering the XFR’s rather hefty 4306 lb curb weight.

The only place where the interior could undergo some improvement is that driver’s seat we loved to look at so much. Instead of sitting in it like you should in a proper performance machine, it felt like we were sitting on it. Our test editors felt that the bolsters in the backrest did more to push the driver away from the seat as opposed to translating what the XFR is doing through the driver’s shoulder blades. Nonetheless the Jaguar XFR is a dream to drive and a thrill to ride all at the same time especially when you hear the supercharger whining at red line.

Why to Buy:

The Jaguar XFR is the best all around automotive value on the market today proced at $80,000. You get over 500 HP, attractive exterior styling and a luxurious interior that will make Continental GT owners feel like they have seriously spent too much money. If Jaguar’s Managing Director Mike O’Driscoll, has his way, the sporty four door fastback is intended for the 30 to 40 year old crew looking to satisfy their appetite for a sports saloon that can satisfy their need for speed while at the same time allowing them access into the country club. However with most luxury vehicles, the best reason to buy one is because you can especially when it is the best super car bargain on the planet.

Why not to Buy:

The only excuse not to buy a Jaguar XFR is if your cardiologist forbids it. The XFR is simply amazing and is truly a bargain. But if you are hesitant to own an Indian car built in England then you may want to consider something a little more German. BMW has the M5->ke2922, Mercedes Benz offers the E63 and if hauling cargo as well as some serious butt is on your menu have a look at the Audi RS6->ke1305. Eventhough it wasn’t built in Germany, the Cadillac CTS-V was developed on their infamous Nordschleif circuit and offers a supercharged V8 in a four door package, although the Jag’s attention to detail elevates it into a class of its own.

Top Speed Final Verdict:

We are simply amazed by the Jaguar XFR. The automaker has combined the performance of a super car with the style of a luxury car and packaged it in a very practical fastback sedan layout and priced it at an incredible $80,000. The XFR delivers so much more than the sticker price reflects, but that is one of the reasons why we love it so much.