Jaguar XFR-S breaks cover in Los Angeles

The Jaguar XFR-S has been unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles motor show, and it's going M5, RS and AMG hunting. The new British super-saloon receives the same engine as the XKR-S with 542bhp, gets its speed limiter raised to 186mph, and has been priced at £79,995.

The XFR-S's 5.0-litre supercharged V8 has been boosted by 39bhp, and 40lb ft, and that puts it right in the heart of the German super-saloon market. Like the XKR-S, the XFR-S features improved airflow and a new exhaust system. If it sounds as good as the coupe, deploying all that power will be difficult to resist. Transmission is via an eight-speed automatic - and it incorporates stop/start technology.

The suspension has been revised, and firmer springs with stiffer adaptive dampers have been incorporated. The electronic differential and stability control systems have also been fettled, with a ‘Trac DSC’ mode that's promised to be even more playful than before.

The biggest changes are reserved for the styling - new 20-inch alloy wheels and aggressive aerodynamic spoilers, are the most obvious, especially that over-sized carbonfibre rear wing. The on sale date is May 2013, and comes in at a £15,000 premium over the already brilliant XFR. Question is - will it appeal to new buyers, or is it in danger of scaring off the Jaguar faithful due to its extrovert styling?