Scoop: Jaguar XF Facelift

Jaguar looks set to keep things subtle with the facelifted version of its XFR super-saloon, judging from the first spy shots of the car.

The complex pattern of the test car’s disguise almost manages to make this XF look like a regular model. But the deeper air intakes, side skirts and four exhaust pipes reveal that it is the next version of the 503bhp XFR hot rod.

Due to appear at the same time as the facelifted XF range, the revised XFR is unlikely to offer any significant gain in power over the current car. But it is set to offer a couple of extra gear ratios; Jaguar is planning to roll out a ZF-developed eight-speed automatic gearbox across the range, replacing the current six-speed unit.

A range of new engines is expected to appear in the updated standard model range: a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder Ford/PSA diesel unit (currently used by Land Rover) is heavily tipped to join the range to power a new entry-level model. Power from this engine in the XF will be around 200bhp. Although Jaguar has just launched XF-S diesel in India, there is a possibility of  2.2-liter unit may find place India-bound XF too, to compete with the popular lesser displacement versions of the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class.