2009 Jaguar XFR - Acceleration and Handling - First Drive

In naturally aspirated form the new 5.0L develops 385 hp at 6500 rpm and 380 lb-ft at 3500 rpm, a useful 23% increase in power and 12% increase in torque over the naturally aspirated 4.2, which will continue as the entry-level XF powertrain here in the U.S. The supercharged version features a Roots-type twin-vortex system blower with dual intercoolers and delivers those 510 hp from 6000 to 6500 rpm, while max torque is 461lb-ft from 2500 rpm to 5500 rpm, 21% and 11% increases over the supercharged 4.2. Jaguar claims the XFR will sprint from 0-to-60 mph in 4.7 sec and nail the standing quarter in 13.1 sec.

On paper, the XFR is a few ticks slower than all its major rivals. On the road, however, it's a different story. Where the RS6 and E63 are tightly wound, join-the-dots cars that sprint to the apex of a turn with a ferocious burst of power, but need to be settled, turned, and aimed before you pull the trigger and sprint to the next apex, the loose-limbed XFR sashays through the turns with the grace of a big cat running down a fast-moving gazelle.

Crisp turn-in is helped by steering that's 10% quicker than the standard XF's -- yet still retains its lovely, delicate feel -- and the new, electronically controlled active differential, which can vary its locking torque between 0% and 90%. Despite 30%-stiffer spring rates, 1 mm-thicker stabilizer bars front and rear, and standard 20-in. low-profile tires, the XFR also rides better than our XF Supercharged long-termer. The secret sauce is the variable rate magneto-rheological shocks, which sample body motions and steering inputs up to 100 times a second and individual wheel positions 500 times a second, as well as throttle and braking inputs, and adjust accordingly. Only the Caddy CTS-V, which employs similar damper technology, comes close to matching the Jaguar's demeanor.