2014 Jaguar XFR-S

Over the last year there’s been more enthusiasm over the Jaguar brand than any time in recent memory. And while the two seat Jaguar F-Type may be generating most of the hype for the British marque at the moment, there’s a lot of excitement throughout their brand. One very good example is this hot rod Jaguar XFR-S 

We’ve easily spent more track time in a Jag over the last three years than we did in the prior 30. No wonder, flogging a car like this 2014 Jaguar XFR-S sedan is a temptation our testers can’t resist. And why should we when it feels so at home on our venue of choice, Savannah’s Roebling Road Raceway.

So, while the phrase “hotter than Georgia asphalt” may have relevance most of the year, on our January test day icy air temps in the 30s made for less than ideal traction. Still, we managed to spin our XFR-S to 60 in 4.3-seconds. Once the tires stopped spinning and starting thrusting, we quickly ran out the ¼-mile in 12.5-seconds at 115 miles-per-hour. That’s more cheetah than Jaguar. 

Our search for grip continued around the rest of the track. And while we were able to find some here and there; for the most part, it was a tail out affair.

The oversteer-happy XFR-S has some serious power and it’s not afraid to unleash it, leaving you to deal with the consequences. That’s not a complaint; we’re absolutely fine with that. 

The Electronic Active Differential and Dynamic Stability Control have both been recalibrated to allow that more aggressive nature to exist. The front suspension has also been retuned and stiffer bearings added for increased precision; while new knuckles allow for more camber adjustment.

The rear gets a whole new sub-frame with stiffer everything, and there’s wider 20-inch forged wheels all around. Still, it took a little more effort to lay down fast laps than it did in the XKR-S coupe we tested here on a much warmer day two years ago.

So while this hot rod XF may not have all of the track gripping nature of rivals like the BMW M5 or the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz E63, it does have a more raucous personality. There is a great sense of lightness, with very precise steering and actual feel; something the Germans have almost completely eliminated. 

The biggest piece to the current RS performance puzzle is this 5.0-liter supercharged V8. It stomps out 550-horsepower and 502 lb-ft. of torque. That’s the same horsepower as the E63, 2-less than the M5; though the E is clearly the torque champ at 531 lb-ft. 

Connected, is the usual ZF 8-speed automatic; here in Quickshift guise that was developed for the F-Type. 

Bringing some aggression to this Jaguar’s sleek shape are a black-finished grille and larger air intakes up front. And it can be further distinguished by adding a $35-hundred carbon fiber wing to the rear. 

As the 2nd high performance R-S model from Jag, and again like XKR-S, the interior is upgraded with carbon fiber-style charcoal leather, piano black veneer, and dark aluminum trim. 

For those who care, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 15-City, 23-Highway, and 18-Combined.

The XFR-S is a very limited item, with just 100 examples coming stateside for the 2014 model year, starting at $99,895. 

And with that rarity, the Jaguar XFR-S can go head to head with the likes of the M5 and E63, and on a few accounts actually beat them. More importantly, it lets rivals know that Jaguar is serious about competing in the super tuned sport luxury business. It’s also a reminder that Jaguar is still the largest cat in the world, and will henceforth demand respect.