Jaguar to launch hot XFR-S at Los Angeles show

The first teaser photo of the new Jaguar XFR-S

Jaguar has issued the first teaser photo of the new XFR-S, which is set to be the hottest model in the XF range. The new car will be shown in full at the Los Angeles International Auto Show next week.

The XF has consistently impressed since it first appeared in 2008 but initially had a hard job fighting German rivals such as the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series because it was available only with a much more limited range of drive-train and body options.

Now the XF has a mid-life re-style under its belt and there's a much wider choice of engines, including economical four-cylinder diesels. A new estate – badged Sportbrake – has been added to the range and there's also the option of four-wheel drive and a small turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in some markets.

The existing performance model in the XF range, the XFR, has won plenty of good reviews, but a harder-edged XFR-S should make it easier for the XF to take on BMW's M-cars and Mercedes AMG models.