Jaguar XFR (2009) tops 225mph at Bonneville

By Sarah-Jayne Harrison

Motor Industry

13 January 2009 16:00

Jaguar's new XFR has reached 225.675mph, making it the fastest car Coventry has ever produced. Running at a secret test at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the one-off prototype, using a tweaked version of Jaguar's new supercharged 5.0-litre V8, topped even the legendary XJ220's 217mph top speed.

Not a chance. This Bonneville prototype is one of a kind, designed as a promotional tool for the new XFR, so you can't get that big rear wing or roll cage-equipped interior.

And you definitely can't have the souped-up engine, though it might give the aftermarket tuners a few ideas. The record-breaking Jag runs the same all-new direct-injection AJ-V8 Gen III engine as the standard XFR, but with a new air intake, a remapped ECU, revised supercharger settings and a new exhaust system liberating some extra power. A total of 600bhp, to be precise, up from the 503bhp of the regular car. And yet no other engine internals were changed, and the six-speed auto' remains standard as well.

The prototype XFR was driven to its 225mph top speed by Paul Gentilozzi, who has raced an XKR to five series victories in the American Trans Am series between 2001 and 2006. 'During my career, I've raced worldwide from the southern tip of New Zealand to Le Mans,' said Gentilozzi. '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.' Gentilozzi's 225mph run breaks the previous Jaguar speed record, set by Martin Brundle in an XJ200 in 1992.

Fancy a 600bhp Jaguar XFR, or happy to stick with the standard car? Click 'Add your comment' below and have your say    

By Sarah-Jayne Harrison