Nearly Stock XF-R Shatters High Speed Jaguar Record at Bonneville

XF-R At Bonneville See the Video On You Tube Here!

Most super sedans shipped to the U.S. nowadays from across the pond sport a less than generous 155 mph limited top for reasons of need, safety and efficiency. Not content with restricting its cars and their (lucky) drivers to this mark, Jaguar set out to see exactly how fast its newly debuted 510-hp supercharged 2010 XFR sedan could go. Where to accomplish such a mission? The famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, of course -- home of mulitple land-speed record attempts. 2010 Jaguar XFR

In its spare time while reinventing the company and settling in with a new owner, Jaguar's boffins somehow found time to take their new XFR to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a top speed run last November. To do so, the XFR's development team headed to the only place on the planet suitable for such an attempt--the Utah desert and the famed Bonneville Salt Flats--with a near production prototype and called upon accomplished Jaguar racing driver Paul Gentilozzi to pilot the high speed cat. Wearing only revised safety and aerodynamic modifications mandated by location officials, the XFR managed a top speed run of 225.675 mph (363.188km/h), -- well above the brand's previous 217.1 mph record set by the rare twin-turbo XJ220 supercar, and making it the fastest Jaguar EVER.

Much of the high speed credit goes to the XFR's revised supercharged 5.0L AJ-V8 engine (510-hp/461 lb-ft), which has only received a remapped ECU, a less restrictive air intake and exhaust system, and updated supercharger settings. In stock "R" form, the luxurious cat can hit 60 mph in a claimed 4.7 sec.

The Paul Gentilozzi-driven XFR had been modified with the appropriate safety gear (roll cage, fire suppression system, etc.), along with a sizable low-mounted rear spoiler and a derestricted ECU that allowed the supercharger to yield around 600 horsepower thanks to a bit more boost. So-equipped, the 503-horsepower sedan blew through the double-ton to top out at 225.675 miles-per-hour, solidly trouncing the previous Jaguar land speed record of 217.1 mph set by an XJ220 at Nardo back in 1992 with Martin Brundle at the wheel. For reference, the standard XFR is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Incredibly, the Bonneville run was completed on stock Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, and the Rocketsports-prepared XFR was still registering a bit of wheelspin at that speed.

The car - powered by the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III engine - beat Jaguar's previous speed record of 217.1mph (349.4 km/h) set in the XJ220 in 1992. Paul Gentilozzi, the owner of Rocketsports Racing who successfully led the Jaguar XKR to five series victories between 2001 and 2006 in the Trans Am series in the USA - drove the car on the record-breaking run.

Running with minor aerodynamic and safety modifications to meet the requirements for a Bonneville run, the 225mph top speed was achieved with additional horsepower liberated by a remapped ECU, a modified air intake and exhaust system and revised supercharger settings. No internal engine components were changed and the six-speed automatic transmission was standard, including the gear ratios.

Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars said: "The all-new supercharged 510bhp XFR - and XKR - add a thrilling new dimension to the Jaguar line-up. We have sharpened the R models, fine-tuning them to deliver a totally focused experience for driving enthusiasts, with the new AJ-V8 Gen III engines delivering refined power and performance and unmatched efficiency.

"This sharper edge - the quicker steering rack, outstanding grip and stability and improved stopping-power - has been achieved by using advanced Jaguar technologies such as Adaptive Dynamics (the latest in computer-controlled suspension and traction control), a new electronic Active Differential Control and significantly uprated brakes."

Paul Gentilozzi added: "During my career, I've raced worldwide from the southern tip of New Zealand to Le Mans. Along the way, I have been privileged to drive and own so many exciting cars but I've never driven one that was as exciting to drive fast as this Jaguar."

The new XFR - the first XF to carry the 'R' badge - defines Jaguar's most performance-focused models. Powered by an all-new supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine developing 510PS and 625Nm of torque, the XFR can accelerate from standstill to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds (0-100kph in 4.9 seconds) and is capable of reaching an electronically limited 155mph. More relevant in everyday driving, an excellent indicator of the XFR's great flexibility is the time it takes to accelerate from 50-70mph . just 1.9 seconds.

High-speed runs have become indelibly etched into the history of the Jaguar marque. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar XK120's record-breaking 132.6mph run set on 30 May 1949 on a deserted stretch of motorway near Jabbeke in Belgium.

The new XFR demonstrates Jaguar's commitment to delivering exhilarating performance and outstanding dynamics for the driving enthusiast . the 'Fast' part of the Jaguar ethos of designing, engineering and manufacturing 'Beautiful, Fast Cars'.

Major portions of this article are from AUTOBLOG with an original PRESS RELEASE date of 12 January 2009