Rare breed: Jaguar to build 100 XFR-S super sedans

By Stephen Edelstein November 23, 2012

Jaguar is preparing a souped-up version of its XFR sport sedan for the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. Called the XFR-S, it promises to take the fight to Jaguar’s German rivals with a powerful V8 engine. It will also be more exclusive than any German sport sedan, since Jaguar is only building 100 cars for the U.S. market.

Jaguar wouldn’t confirm anything else, but we can get an idea of what the XFR-S will be like by looking at the other “R-S” model, the XKR-S. That two-door cat is powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. It also features Nürburgring-tuned suspension, massive Pirelli P Zero Tires, and an aggressive body kit.

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The XKR-S is essentially an XKR on steroids, and the XFR-S will probably be just as anabolic. The 5.0-liter V8 seems like a shoo-in, meaning the XFR-S will have significantly more power; the regular XFR has 510 hp and 470 lb-ft.

Judging from Jag’s teaser image, it seems like the XFR-S will also have looks to match its power. A more aggressive front air intake is visible, as is a bit of carbon fiber on the lower grille. The car is also wearing the same shade of the blue the XKR-S wore at its launch. Interestingly, the hue this British carmaker chose for its high performance models is actually France’s national racing color.

The XFR-S will need all of that help it can get because, as a midsize luxury sport sedan, it’s positioned to take on some of the toughest rivals in the business. Likely competition includes the Audi S6, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and BMW M5.

In terms of power, the XFR-S is right in the middle of the German trinity. The S6 has 414 hp and 406lb-ft, the E63 AMG has 518 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the M5 has 560 hp and 500 lb-ft.

The XFR-S may walk all over the Audi and Mercedes, and come close to the BMW, but it needs to be more than a big engine. The XFR-S needs to be a complete package that can match the precision and refinement of the benchmarks. One of the main criticisms of the XKR-S was its lack of composure during fast driving; some testers said that it was essentially a cushy GT car like the basic XKR with more power, and not a genuine sports car.

We’ll get a better idea of how the XFR-S measures up when it makes its Los Angeles debut, but either way, Jaguar has made its own job a little easier. Only 100 XFR-S sedans will make it to the U.S., all as 2014 models. Pricing has not been announced, but expect this rare beast to command a significant premium over the XFR’s $83,200 base price.

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Cars

Jaguar’s 542-hp XFR-S Estate is the hottest wagon you’ll never be able to own in the U.S.

jaguar coming guns hot geneva xfr s wagon xfrs feature

In the past two or three years, luxury car manufacturers have taken several cracks at the performance station wagon market. Mercedes-Benz has basically held a monopoly of the breed with its E-class AMG wagon.
Now, however, Jaguar plans to jump into the race for the niche market with the release of the XFR-S estate. According to Car Scoops, the hot Brit wagon boasts 542 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque from a supercharged V8. Not only will it go like a wildcat, it’ll also carry 1675 cubic liters of … things.
To keep up with speed demon soccer-mom-mobile rivals, the XFR-S flies from 0 to 60 in 4.8 and is held back from totally raising hell by being capped off at 186 mph. The chassis has also been tuned to be more in line with an estate. And of course, all of the exclusive XFR-S body improvements are featured, so you can make it clear that when your Jag is on the road, you’re on the prowl.
Pricing for the beastly estate is expected to run about $137,000, which is higher than the E63 AMG. How many people, though, do you know with a Jag sports wagon? My guess is zero.
The boys at Jag plan to unleash this monster of a wagon at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show with orders starting April 1st. If you’re in the market for a bad-to-the-bone station wagon, grab one fast because these beauts will only be made in limited numbers.
Oh and I have some bad news: You’ll have to go to England to get one. Jag won’t be selling this mad wagon Stateside.

Cars

Koenigsegg founder says his Tesla Model S is more fun to drive than a BMW M5

koenigsegg founder says tesla model s fun bmw m5 christian von

The Tesla Model S has already received much praise from the likes of Motor Trend and Automobile magazines, and now it's received a unique celebrity endorsement.
Christian von Koenigsegg - founder of the eponymous Swedish supercar builder - has purchased a Model S, and says it's more fun than a BMW M5, according to Auto Motor and Sport.
For a luxury sport sedan, praise doesn't get much higher. The M5 is the benchmark, and Koenigsegg reportedly said that the Model S accelerates faster, handles better, and is more fun to drive.
Koenigsegg was probably talking about the top Model S P85, which has the biggest battery pack (85-kilowatt-hours) and is tuned for performance. It's rated at 416 horsepower, compared to 362 hp for the regular 85-kWh Model S.
Tesla says it will do 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph.
The M5, on the other hand, has a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that produces 560 hp. With the seven-speed M Double-Clutch Transmission, the factory says it will do 0 to 60 mph in the same 4.2 seconds as the Tesla, while top speed is 155 mph.
The two cars are fairly well-matched. While the BMW's superior power means it will eventually outrun the Tesla in an outright speed contest, the Model S' electric powertrain provides instant torque regardless of velocity, which is definitely fun.
In the hands of Automobile Magazine, a Model S actually beat an M5 in a 0 to 100 mph drag race.
Both sedans look like Toyota Camrys compared to the supercars Christian von Koenigsegg slaps his name on, but the man does have a green streak.
He backed the first attempt by solar power company NLV to build an electric luxury sedan, showing the NLV Quant by Koenigsegg concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Cars

Mercedes’ S65 AMG can’t predict the future, but it can read the road ahead

2015 Mercedes_Benz S65 AMG exterior front right

The 2013 LA Auto Show is just around the corner. Beginning November 20, the world’s premier automakers will unveil 22 all-new global debuts. Delightfully, we don’t have to wait that long for one of the most exciting cars to hit the stage, as Mercedes-Benz revealed the pictures and specs one of its most illustrious LA Auto Show offerings: the 2015 S65 AMG.
Picking up where the S63 AMG left off, the S65 becomes the German automaker’s new performance flagship variant of its full-size S-Class sedan packing the only V12 powerplant in its class. The hand-built, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 produces 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. This is good for a 0-60 time in 4.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Why only 155? Because the Germans don’t think you need to go any faster. That’s why.
Bolted to the prodigious powerplant is a new AMG Speedshift Plus 7G TRONIC transmission that, unlike the outgoing five-speed, allows for a far more precise and smooth driving experience. It can be put into three drive modes: Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S), and Manual (M). In C, the automatic start/stop system is activated, which will cut the engine at stoplights, saving fuel. Other automakers call this an E for ‘eco’ mode. Graciously, Mercedes didn’t do something so silly as to fit a 621 hp V12 with an eco mode.
Just like the standard S-Class, the new S65 features the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension – and yes, you can read that caps in a shout-y German accent. This innovative suspension system doesn’t simply react to the bumps and imperfections in the road retroactively, it sees them coming with a stereo camera and pretensions or softens the suspension accordingly. So, with the S65 AMG, you get the most refined comfort driving experience in the world and also one of the sportiest and most responsive.
You were lamenting the end of Maybach, why?
That special suspension system pushes some impressive wheels to the road, too. At all four corners, the S65 features forged light-alloy wheels designed as homage to the traditional spoked wheels of 1930s Mercedes. And we thought that Alpina had the monopoly on classic, cool wheel design!
Behind those understated yet hugely elegant wheels are some optional ceramic, high-performance 16.5-inch composite brakes that are 20 percent lighter than the standard steel brakes. Not only do the ceramic units stop far more efficiently, they are also far more resistant to corrosion. These, my Saudi Prince friends, are a must-have option.
On the inside, the story is much the same as the performance tale. AMG designers took the ‘normal’ S-Class and made it that much more choice. The steering wheel remains the same two-spoke model, again reminiscent of Mercedes of old. Just above it, drivers will see an AMG TFT high-res instrument cluster with two animated dials accented in red and silver. The speedometer goes to 220 mph, seemingly just to taunt the driver. And just next to it – of course – AMG has included a tachometer.
Just over to the right of the large, gorgeous instrument cluster is another high-def COMAND screen controlled by a Mercedes touchpad, which is integrated into the armrest in the center console. Unlike the previous joystick scroll wheel, the touchpad reacts to standard zoom and scroll controls – like that on a tablet – and also recognizes when numbers are drawn on the pad, allowing for quick typing of addresses and other information.
With the reveal, Mercedes-Benz has once again solidified itself as the automaker that gets it all and gets it done right. It can build gorgeous, innovative, luxurious, and wildly athletic cars – seemingly without effort.
If you’re impressed with the S65 AMG just wait for other vehicles Mercedes has in store for the 2013 LA Auto Show. So be sure to check back for more soon.