2013 Jaguar XFR Speed Pack

What you see before you here is a 2013 Jaguar XFR Speed Pack, a Jag for those who simply have to have a higher top speed than the competition – and hang the costs.

For your £2750 – on top of the standard XFR's price of £65,380 – you get a top speed raised to 174mph, slightly revised front and rear spoilers, bigger numbers at the scary end of the speedometer, and slight tweaks to the suspension and eight-speed automatic gearbox.

What's the 2013 Jaguar XFR Speed Pack like to drive?
There are no changes to the engine, so the Speed Pack accelerates no faster than a regular XFR. Fortunately, with a mighty 503bhp, the standard car already has the sort of performance to embarrass many so-called supercars.

The 0-60mph dash is dealt with in less than five seconds, but it's the way the XFR keeps accelerating at a barely diminished rate even as the speedo passes three figures (on a track) that really grabs your attention. The acquisition of speed really is genuinely unsettling at times.



The XFR Speed Pack isn't all fire and brimstone, though; it's perfectly happy woofling around on light throttle openings, dispensing with traffic and keeping you completely relaxed.

The suspension might have been tweaked, but the XFR's fine blend of comfort and control remains. The ride is slightly firmer than that of lesser XFs, but the Speed Pack still soothes away bumps and deals with surface imperfections with little fuss.



The Jaguar also handles with a nimbleness that rivals such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG can't match. The XFR's steering is a particular high point, proving well weighted, accurate and offering a decent amount of feedback.

What's the 2013 Jaguar XFR Speed Pack like inside?
The only change to the cabin is that there are slightly higher numbers at the top end of the speedometer.

This means the Speed Pack has a stylish interior that offers plenty of drama as it goes through its start-up procedure, including a gear selector that rises from the centre console.

The XFR also has multi-adjustable leather seats that are extremely comfortable and supportive. The boot is large, and fold-down rear seats are a no-cost option.

However, the XFR Speed Pack falls at the same hurdle as every other XF – it doesn't have quite enough rear-seat space, and the interior build quality is nothing like a match for that of rivals such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG.



Should I buy one?
If you absolutely must have a higher top speed than your mates with M5s and E63 AMGs, then go ahead and blow the extra £2750.

However, given that even by the often optimistic official Government economy tests, the XFR averages just 25.0mpg, we'd be tempted to save the extra cost of the Speed Pack and spend it on unleaded instead.

Read the full Jaguar XFR review >>

Rivals:
BMW M5 review
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG review

What Car? says…


Specification
Engine size 5.0 S/C
Price from £68,130
Power 503bhp
Torque 461lb ft
0-62mph 4.7sec
Top speed 174mph
Fuel economy 25.0mpg (official)
CO2 g/km 268g/km

Euan Doig