New Jaguar XJR to debut in the Big Apple with big power

Among the many high performance debuts at the upcoming 2013 New York Auto Show will be the new Jaguar XJR – the latest addition to the high performance Jaguar R lineup with 542 horsepower and striking high performance design.

The new Jaguar XJR sedan is based on the flagship XJ large sedan and unlike the other R lineup vehicles that pack 510 horsepower – the XJR will be powered by the supercharged V8 that is found in the XKR-S and the upcoming XFR-S with 542 horsepower. Provided that the XJR offers similar torque to the blown 5.0 liter V8 in use in the various R-S models, the XKR should offer somewhere around 500lb-ft of torque to accompany those 542 angry ponies. This power will likely be funneled to the rear wheels via a paddle shifted 8-speed automatic transmission.

When fitted in the slightly smaller and lighter Jaguar XFR-S, the new XJR drivetrain propels the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds while offering a top speed of 186 miles per hour. I expect that the top speed will be very similar while the 0-60 time might be slightly slower due to the added weight of the XJ compared to the XF.

"The new XJR epitomizes the three pillars of technology, performance and contemporary design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the twenty-first century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon,” said Jaguar Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark.
In addition to the high performance supercharged 5.0L V8 engine, the Jaguar XJR will feature an exterior design that leaves little question as to the nature of this slippery sedan. This begins with an aggressive front fascia that reaches further to the ground for improved aerodynamics with large lower ports to funnel fresh air to the braking system. The prominent Jaguar grille opening of the XJR has dark filler rather than bright chrome and the hood features dual heat extraction vents similar to those seen on the XFR. Lower side skirts, large 5-spoke wheels a black grille filler and unique badging cap off the unique appointments that we can see in the one provided image but I would expect to see an aggressive rear fascia as well – most likely wrapping around two sets of dual exhaust tips.

The Jaguar XJR is the sixth vehicle in the current R lineup, joining the XKR Coupe, the XKR Convertible, the XKR-S Coupe, the XKR-S Convertible and the smaller XFR sedan. Later this spring, the XFR-S sedan will make the seventh vehicle in the R stable and if I was a betting man - I would wager that there will soon be another vehicle in the R lineup when the company rolls out a higher performance version of the new F-Type convertible in the near future.

In addition to the debut of the new Jaguar XJR, the 2013 New York International Auto Show Jag display will feature the new F-Type Convertible along with the all wheel drive versions of the XF and XJ sedans.