I plonk myself down in the driver's pew of the new Jaguar XFR. The start button is pulsing red. I push it and the circular, rotating gearshift wheel rises like a phoenix from the console. It is somewhat symbolic for Jaguar. The air vents, which were no where to be seen, are suddenly open across the dash. The new 2010 year model XFR is open for business. I rotate the gearshift to `D' and depress the right pedal to start the road test. From the four exhausts there's a roar ... a deep throated snarl that only a performance V8 produces.
I listen carefully. I think I hear it say 'AMG E63 I'm coming to get you.' The revs rise and again it speaks, 'BMW M5 ... I'm here.' Jaguar are calling it the start of the 'revitalisation.' Jaguar doing what Jaguar do best: high performance saloons, although the XF at times looks more like a coupe than a four door. XFR is the latest addition to the XF range. A potent, high-end flagship. A car to take on the Germans: Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.
