The sport model of the XF takes that humdrum sedan into track territory with a supercharged 5-liter engine and dynamic suspension.
Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
BMW has its M, Mercedes-Benz has its AMG, Audi has its RS, and Jaguar has its R. The standard XF model is already powerful, but add a supercharger and high-tech suspension gear, and the car becomes truly track-worthy.
2 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The XFR gets some small cosmetic changes from the base XF, such as hood vents embossed with the word supercharged, along with bigger air scoops in the fascia.
3 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
What really sets the XFR apart from the XF is this supercharged direct-injection 5-liter V-8, a work of art producing 510 horsepower.
4 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Unlike its stablemate, the XK, the XFR's style is more subtle. It is a four-door sedan with gently curved lines.
5 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The XFR gets quad rear pipes to vent exhaust from its massive powerplant. Its underpinnings include what Jaguar calls an Active Rear Differential, which pushes power to the outside wheel aggressively in a turn.
6 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Jaguar makes one of the nicer interiors in the car business, with leather, wood, and metal, and only minor use of plastics.
7 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Jaguar includes a few R badges around the car, with one on the lower spoke of the steering wheel.
8 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The XFR uses adaptive cruise control, activated by pushing up on the left rocker switch. The right rocker switch sets the following distance to the car in front.
9 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The checkered flag on the instrument cluster display lets you know the car is in dynamic mode.
10 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Jaguar uses this innovative dial shifter, which rises up from the console when the engine is fired up. Other buttons around the shifter control dynamic mode, turn off stability control, and activate a speed limiter.
11 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The XFR uses a touch screen for most of its applications, with metal buttons below for basic climate and audio control.
12 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
We found this home screen annoying, as you have to go through it to access navigation, phone, climate, and audio.
13 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system in this car is only average. Route guidance works reasonably well, but it lacks 3D maps, traffic, or other advanced features.
14 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The Bluetooth phone system is full-featured, including the ability to download contact lists from paired phones.
15 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
This interface is not our favorite. It requires too much attention when choosing music, proving a distraction. This satellite radio interface looks cluttered.
16 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
iPod integration in the XFR works well, with a connector in the console, but the interface looks a little rough.
17 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The six-disc changer plays MP3 CDs, using this interface to let you navigation folders.
18 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The Bowers & Wilkins audio system in the XFR produces excellent sound, with a focus on definition.
19 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The backup camera includes trajectory lines, distance lines, and obstacle warnings.
20 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The blind-spot warning system lights up this icon in the side view mirror when it is unsafe to change lanes.
