Jaguar XJR 575 Review: Outdated, Silly, And Thoroughly Brilliant

Jaguar’s XJR 575 is a car that ticks pretty much every ‘endangered species’ box going. It’s a big, luxury saloon that’s still rear-wheel drive only. It has a big V8 with a whining supercharger strapped to it, not a pair of turbochargers. A V8 that by September 2020 will be no more. Oh, and it’s all wrapped up in a car that’ll very soon be replaced.

There’s a sense of finality to the occasion when you drive this £93,710 chunk of pomp and circumstance, but make full use of its 5.0-litre eight-banger and its extra 25bhp - bringing the total supercharged violence to 567bhp (575hp) - and you’ll be too busy having fun to worry about the onslaught of downsizing and electrification.

That’s despite the fact that on paper, the XJR looks well behind the current crop of mega saloons. After all, its 4.4sec 0-62mph time is almost a full second down on the now 4.0-litre powered Mercedes-AMG S63. But here’s the thing: those impressive figures are partly down to trick all-wheel drive systems and gearbox skullduggery, so out in the real world, the big Jag feels every bit as potent. And don’t forget, there’s no waiting for turbochargers to spool up here: plant your foot down, and you have instant access to the full might of that V8. The strong, linear pull of this thing is an eye-widening, sphincter-tightening joy to experience.

Can you feel the extra 25bhp? The 575 feels just that little bit more urgent than I remember the ‘regular’ one being, but last time I drove one of those was nearly three years ago. In any case, more power isn’t something to complain about. The volume from the V8 - both inside and out - is probably lower than you’d expect, but I’ve no complaints about the sound quality: its brawny, guttural bellow has the constant support of the supercharger’s shrill whine, and it’s a wicked combination.

The gearbox is the usual eight-speed ZF automatic, and it’s a good fit here. The only caveat is the ratios don’t feel quite right in slower, tighter corners: you’re left with a choice of buzzing off the limiter in second, or hovering around lower revs in third and not making the most of the V8 on your exit.

The chassis has been left alone, and it feels a little ‘old world’ compared to the kind of physics-defying uber barges we’ve seen from the German big three in recent years. Tipping the scales at around 1900kg it’s actually a little lighter than the S63, and lighter even than the smaller E63. But it can’t hide its weight: press on, and the heavy snout wants to wash wide, and even in dynamic mode, there is quite a bit of lean going on.

It’s up for being chucked around though, and the feelsome, well-weighted steering makes placing the 5.1 metre-long hulk surprisingly easy on even the twistiest of roads. And the N222 in Portugal - where we tested the car - doesn’t leave you wanting for bendiness: it’s a relentlessly squiggly strip of tarmac, and was voted the World’s Best Road last year. I can see why.

Bored with cornering as quickly as possible? Don’t forget, with all 567 of the XJR’s horses making their way rearwards, breaking traction is hilariously easy. Unless you have incredible self control, you’re going to get through a fair few sets of rear tyres with this thing.

But what about when you slow down and stop being an imbecile? That’s when the XJR comes into its own. It’s supremely comfortable, gloriously wafty, and now enhanced with delicious quilted leather and lashings of carbonfibre. The ‘Riva Hoop’ that wraps around you is now festooned in the stuff (with a big red ‘575’ badge slapped right in the middle), but my favourite detail is the headlining. It’s a sort of fluffier take on Alcantara, and I’ve decided I want to coat the entire interior of my house in it.

The XJR also now has an infotainment system that isn’t unresponsive and infuriating to use, but that and all the other snazzy new trinkets can’t stop it from feeling particularly dated on the inside. Rivals from the likes of BMW and Mercedes are streets ahead when it comes to interior design and gadgetry, and a smattering of carbonfibre plus a newer nav system won’t hide that.

It’s a car that probably should have been dropped from the range by now, and compared to the rest of Jaguar’s current offerings, it’s a bit of a dinosaur. But you know what? I’m glad it’s still kicking around. It’s silly, noisy, antisocial and to an extent pointless, but never, ever boring. We need to enjoy cars like these while we still can.