Recently, GTspirit had the chance to drive the Jaguar XJR. Unsurprisingly, it was a truly exceptional vehicle more than worthy of carrying Jaguar’s ‘R’ designation. However, the current Jaguar XJ is beginning to age and consequently, Jaguar has begun work on a slightly facelifted variant of the car.
This next-generation Jaguar XJ prototype was recently spied testing near Jaguar’s Midlands base sporting some obvious camouflage at the front and rear obviously hiding a few nips and tucks but nothing major.
GTspirit test of Jaguar XJR
The more significant visual changes featured on this prototype are not covered by camouflage at all as they are the newly designed front air intakes. The main front grille has been slightly reduced in size to make way for a larger air intake underneath.
It is currently unclear when the facelifted Jaguar XJ will be revealed, but due to the fairly limited changes, don’t expect to wait all too long. Whenever the facelifted car does arrive, expect a new Jaguar XJR in a few years time as well.
The current 2014 Jaguar XJR features Jaguar’s signature engine, the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. In the XJR this engine delivers 550hp at 6500 RPM and 680Nm of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 RPM. Up 40hp and 55Nm of torque compared to the XJ Supersports. With the uprated engine and the optimized setup of the 8-speed ZF gearbox the XJR propels from 0-100 km/h in just 4,6 seconds and continues to an electronically limited top speed of 280 km/h.
[Via Autocar]
