Jaguar XFR 5.0-litre Supercharged30 | 04 | 2012Scotcars rating

Jaguar supercharges its award-winning XF and produces a head-turner: just avoid the tax disc

Overview

The tax disc said it all. Ok, the car itself was pretty stunning in dramatic Polaris White with the word “supercharged” engrained alongside the bonnet vents and on the massive 20in alloys. But the £1000 charge on the disc for it’s first year charge was the most breathtaking part of the Jaguar XFR even before I’d got behind the wheel (watch our video of the Jaguar XFR).

That’s just part of the price you pay for the 5.0-litre supercharged engine and its top of the range CO2 level of 292g/km. Then there’s the claimed consumption of 22.5mpg – I only got as close as 19mpg in my week with the car. I suppose that after forking out almost £66,000 for the car itself, these extra costs are almost irrelevant. In other words, if these additional expenses bother you, then you shouldn’t even be looking at the car at all.

So what do you get for your money? Well, it is something special, to look at and to enjoy on the road. The XF has been a winner for Jaguar and the flagship R version is stunning with superb performance and a great sound from under the bonnet and from the exhaust, to go with it.  

On the Road

Unsurprisingly, it's on its best behaviour and at peak performance when it is out on the open road. It just loves to stretch its considerable legs, open up all that power from the five litres and revel in the boost from the supercharger. The quirky Jaguar drive selector, which oozes out of the transmission tunnel to operate the six speed electronic transmission, is not only stylish but also very practical and when you get bored with that, the paddles offer the chance to indulge in some lively gearchanges. The Drive Control stands by with a Winter mode for tricky conditions or Dynamic for a more spirited excursion.The servotronic steering could be said to be a touch light but that is a minor criticism in an overall well-put-together package.  

Comfort and Safety

The car is packed with luxury features based around the superb soft leather seats. The leather extends to the steering wheel, instrument panel and door top rolls with suede cloth on the headlining. Encased in this upmarket environment is a very pleasant place to be, relaxing to the splendid sound quality from the 1200W Bowers and Wilkins audio system and its 17 speakers with subwoofer.

It’s all beautifully put together and my only minor complaint was about making my way round the touchscreen multimedia system. It is complex but I found it annoying to have to leave the satnav and go through the menu, just to make some minor adjustments to the climate control.  

Should I Buy One?

There’s a good feeling about driving a British (Indian owned) car with such a proud tradition….but it is expensive to buy and run.

Scotcars editor Jim McGill drives the new Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

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Alan Douglas