Jaguar XJR 575: 25 CV more make way for a new version

Jaguar launches a new version of its high-performance XJR saloon whose main virtue is to offer 25 extra CV over the power available in the range until now. It may seem a slight increase, but when the final output comes to 575 CV, it is certainly reason enough to create a version with that very name: XJR 575.

The British brand already showed it at the recent Goodwood Speed Festival, where, though conveniently camouflaged, it surprised onlookers on the hill climb. But it will be at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in mid-September, when its journey begins to become the new flagship of the range, replacing the current XJR 550.

Like its predecessor, it is equipped with the 5.0-litre V8 engine, the same unit Jaguar also fits in the explosive F-Type SVR (which was the first to debut it) and which sits under the bonnet of the Range Rover Sport SVR from Land Rover, although for now only in its 550 CV version. In the XJR 575, Jaguar pairs it with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and, in combination with the permanent all-wheel-drive system, offers an interesting creep function in low-grip conditions, which sets the car moving at speeds below 30 km/h without the driver needing to touch the accelerator or brake pedals.

An aid aimed undoubtedly at the autonomous driving of the vehicle, which in the XJR Jaguar is accompanied by others such as lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, emergency braking, a peripheral vision camera, adaptive cruise control, and so on.

As we have mentioned, the reason for creating this version is basically its power increase, which is why there are hardly any changes, either outside or inside in its design, finishes and trim. It does incorporate a bonnet fitted with new air outlets and larger front air intakes, both to optimise the engine’s greater breathing requirements given its higher power and to help dissipate the extra heat its operation generates. That greater power also affects its footwear, now with 20-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black.

What Jaguar does do is add two new colours to the available palette for the range, including the matt grey seen on the car in the images accompanying this information, as well as a new shade of blue.

Inside, some elements have been fitted to give this version a somewhat sportier atmosphere than those known to date. Thus, it features new sports seats trimmed in high-quality materials with a diamond pattern, aluminium pedals, a new steering wheel with a sporty design specific to this version of the range, metal inserts on the door sill plates, and so on.

As we have already said, the car will be launched in mid-September next month in Frankfurt and, although for the moment neither its Spanish market release date nor its price is known, we can note that it will only be available with the short-wheelbase body of the two currently offered in the XJ.