What's the news?

Though the F-Type was present on Jaguar's LA Auto Show stand in a striking new orange hue, it was usurped by the world debut of the XFR-S - claimed to be the fastest, most powerful and most agile sports saloon to ever come from the brand.

Exterior

The XFR-S follows in the footsteps of the XKR-S it shares its engine with. So the launch colour is this bright blue and it's fitted with bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels, which can optionally be finished in gloss black. Ultra-low profile tyres wrap the rims, measuring 265/35 up front and 295/20 at the back. The XFR-S also benefits from an aerodynamic makeover. Jaguar claims that the changes result in 68 per cent less lift, though some of the modifications are in a bid to cool the engine and brakes. Hence the larger front air intakes. That massive boot spoiler is standard; however, Jaguar has confirmed that it'll offer buyers a more demure alternative as a no-cost option.

Interior

Inside, the colour and material theme follows that of the XKR-S as well, with 'carbon-effect' leather, colour-themed stitching and an aluminium finish to aspects of the dashboard. No doubt the specification will be generous too.

Mechanicals

As predicted, the XFR-S shares its engine with the XKR-S coupé and convertible. It's a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 producing 550hp and 680Nm of torque. This is fed to the rear wheels via a new eight-speed automatic transmission Jaguar has dubbed the 'Quickshift' (due to debut in the F-Type). This takes over from the six-speed unit of old and incorporates stop-start and something called 'Corner Recognition', where it attempts to hold the correct ratio for exiting a corner.

Elsewhere, the suspension is stiffer, and in Dynamic mode the adaptive damping is said to be much firmer than before. The traction and stability control systems, plus the characteristics of the electronic rear differential, have been updated to appeal to more committed drivers too.

Anything else?

Though Jaguar hasn't released the XFR-S's weight figure, it's thought to be a little more than the XKR-S coupé, as the 0-62mph time for the new saloon is claimed to be a fraction slower, at 4.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 186mph.

Jaguar will open the order book for the XFR-S in May 2013 at a price of £79,995 - about £7,000 more than the current BMW M5 and £5,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG saloon.