Jaguar has announced plans to take on the power-packed BMW M5 and the Mercedes E-Class AMG, with a brand-new XFR-S which will debut at next week's 2012 Los Angeles Motor Show.
Few details have yet to be revealed on the XFR-S which is promoted by this close-up teaser image. Jaguar describes it however as the fastest and most powerful saloon it has ever produced.
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That means it will exceed the potential of both the XFR and the XJ Supersport saloons from the current Jaguar range, which both use a 502bhp 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine and both have a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds with a limited top speed of 155mph.
The new saloon is also the second Jaguar model to be made under the performance-focused R-S badge, as it follows the XKR-S coupe launched last year, which is currently the fastest production Jaguar of all.
As noticed on the teaser image the XFR-S, like its XK counterpart, will be finished in a distinctive French Blue Racing paint job.
The engine for the XFR-S is rumoured to be the same used with the XKR-S, which has an upgraded version of the 5.0-litre V8 found in the XFR and XJ Supersport.
On the XKR-S however the output is increased by 40bhp to a total of 542bhp, which is likely what the XFR-S will also get. This supercharged engine will likely be connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Performance-wise the XFR-S will likely have a 0-60mph time of just below four and a half seconds, much like rivals such as the BMW M5 which covers the sprint in 4.4 seconds.
It will be interesting to see whether the XFR-S sticks with a limited top speed of 155mph, like all the German performance saloons do, or if like the XKR-S it will go unrestricted, potentially reaching above 180mph.
While the larger and heavier steel body will make the XFR-S less nimble then its all-aluminium XKR-S counterpart, the car will feature more aggressive and aerodynamic body parts to help give it sharp handling characteristics worthy of rivalling offerings from the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Audi.
Following its public debut in Los Angeles next week, the Jaguar XFR-S will reportedly go on sale in December 2012.
Written by Stephen Goldasz