Big Jaguars, although highly accomplished drivers' cars, never attracted the same level of attention as their rivals, an issue Jaguar sought to reverse with the stunning XJR/XJR575.
Only offered in limited numbers, this rare and fearsome autobahn cruiser is one of the last XJ badged models ever made. Although plans for its all-electric replacement hit the headlines with an anticipated 2020 launch, Jaguar pulled the plug on its longest serving model. In some regards, this was a good move, how could any EV better the XJR575's storming performance without a vocal soundtrack you'd normally get from a muscle car? By no means perfect, but coming very close, with a chassis getting on for ten years old, its supple ride and taut handling a testament to what a proper Jaguar should be.
The XJR575 surely will go down as one of Jaguar's finest, impossible to dislike even in the face of stiff competition from other carmakers and a growing sense of eco-friendliness, it's the big Jag we all secretly want.
10 Jaguar XJR Timeline
The XJR has been with us a lot longer than most gearheads realize, the first "R" badged Jaguar appearing in 1988 and continuing to this day. Early cars used Jaguar's straight six AJ6 engine in 3.6/4-liter forms, tuned by JaguarSport/TWR.
Serious power junkies would have to wait until the 3rd generation or X308 XJR arrived in 1998 accompanied by two important changes. Firstly, Jaguar switched production to its new AJ-V8 engine, again in two engine sizes, producing up to 290 hp. But crucially, it was the XJR's 4-liter supercharged V8 that set the big cat on the path to sporting greatness, boasting 370 hp with Jaguar claiming a 0-60 mph time of 5.2-seconds
9 A Limo And Dragster In One
All things to all gearheads, the XJR delivers startling performance for a large luxury sedan. Jaguar engineers tasked with moving the XJ series upmarket on par with anything BMW, Mercedes and Audi delivers, only with a little more class.
Effortlessly wafting from corner to corner accompanied by a throaty supercharged V8 roar, nail the throttle and the XJR surges forward with all the gusto of a supercar, hitting 60 mph in 3.9-seconds while cocooning its occupants in unadulterated luxury.
8 No More Old School Wood And Leather
Banishing for good the old school Jaguar feel, the XJR's cockpit is more modern and packs more tech into the center console, a large LCD screen taking center stage. However, it's not what you get, but more of what you don't get, Jaguar removing their traditional "wood" veneer option, in its place acres of gorgeous piano black carbon.
Elsewhere, the XJRs cockpit is a leather fetishist's dream, every surface that doesn't shine with the gleam of veneer is beautifully covered in hand cut and stitched hides. Aside from "R or 575" logos emblazoned on the steering wheel and head rests, the XJR's changes are subtle in keeping with Jaguar's Grace with Pace design ethos.
7 External Tweaks
Externally, things are a little wilder, attention grabbing Velocity Blue paint mixed with a host of blacked-out vents, grilles and a switch to 575-R and red Jaguar growler logos set the XJR apart from lesser models, the notion of badge deletion giving rise to the ultimate sleeper?
Under the arches, fatter, stickier Pirelli rubber wrapped around custom matte black 20-inch rims, the XJR575 sporting lower profile 265/35 & 296/30 tires front and rear respectively.
6 Packs Some Serious Growl
Any luxury sedan boasting 550 hp in stock form is going to be quick, however anyone lucky enough to take the XJR for a spin will attest to the near endless levels of instant pulling power, Jaguar's choice of supercharger over a turbo gives the big cat some serious punch.
At the heart of the XJR, and indeed the F-Type also, Jaguar's AJ Gen II V8 displacing 5 liters, updated with direct injection, performance boosting variable cams and an innovative TVS supercharger that allows the XJR to adhere to stricter emissions regulations. However, best of all is the soundtrack, one of the best sounding V8s ever.
5 And No More Steel, Jaguar Goes All Aluminum
The secret behind the XJRs astonishing agility dates back to 2002, Jaguar in a groundbreaking change of direction opted to replace the X350s chassis construction process to lighter aluminum in place of steel. The savings in the monocoque alone amounting to 150 kgs.
A first for Jaguar, and the automotive industry as whole, other than in a handful of strength-critical areas, the XJR is built almost entirely from aircraft grade aluminum and plays a crucial role in the big cat's strength, agility with the added bonus of improved fuel economy.
4 Hiding Extra Inches
Spot the differences; we know which is the LWB, and even then It's hard to tell them apart. Jaguar engineers earned their pay check, managing to hide an extra 5 inches (206.6 vs 201.7) in the XJ's wheelbase.
We'd usually go for smaller, being the more agile with less bulk to haul around, but the XJR575 LWB is every bit as composed through the twisty bits as its smaller brother, and comes with the added benefit of extra legroom, unless of course you're a Brit, Jaguar only producing the XJR575 in SWB for domestic sales.
3 Tail Out Hooliganism
At just shy of 17 feet in length and weighing in at a lightened 4,332 lbs, the XJR isn't exactly supercar size, but don't underestimate the Jaguar's on track prowess. Even in LWB guise, it's a hooligan in a business suit waiting to be unleashed.
Disabling dynamic stability control (DSC) with a single prod transforms Jaguar's flagship super-limo into a full on power sliding machine, tire smoking antics and all. Track-based playtime over, reverting to a refined luxury car.
2 No Silly Electronic Limiters Please, We're British
By far the most powerful road-going Jaguar ever, the XJR upping the ante to 575 hp in what has to be the most compelling argument for gasoline burning luxury cars. Sacrificing a little of the "normal" XJR's civility resulting in a top speed of 186 mph, Jaguar eschewing the trend of fast Germans reined in at 155 mph.
Now, you could argue anywhere other than a track or Germany's autobahns and top speed claims are meaningless, but bragging rights count for heaps among gearheads. Anyone insane enough to test Jaguar's claims rightly deserves to lose their license, but just knowing is a strangely satisfying feeling.
1 Bargain (Of Sorts) Compared To Its Rivals
Faster and more agile, the XJR575 one of the better places to be, whether you're the driver or passenger, delivering an intoxicating mix of comfort, refinement and brutal power. All of these traits can be had elsewhere, the Alpina B7 and Mercedes-AMG S63 being the nearest comparisons to the Jag.
But somehow, Jaguar delivers more for less, the XJR kicking off at $123,000, compared to its German rivals, Alpina dipping its hand in to your bank account to the tune of $140,000, AMG taking a further $10,000 on top of that, and all before visiting the options list. The XJR575, a bargain of sorts if you consider six-figures cheap. Pity then that Jaguar doesn't build the XJR anymore.