The boot lid retained the S-Type's chromed blade to its edge and included a "leaper" bonnet mascot.

For the UK market, company car-friendly 'Executive Edition' and 'SE Business' models with a lower tuned versions of the 3.0 L and 2.2 L diesel engines respectively were available.

[14] Another departure from the traditional Jaguar cabin ambiance is the use of pale-blue backlighting to the instruments, switchgear, and around major control panels.

The XFR was announced at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January 2009 as a new performance derivative of the XF range, and featured the new 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III engine rated at 510 PS (375 kW; 503 hp), a revised front bumper and spoiler and 20-inch (508 mm) alloy wheels.

[15][16] In April 2011, Jaguar revealed the details of a facelift for the XF at the New York International Auto Show, with manufacturing beginning in July 2011.

[17] The facelift includes front and rear styling changes which are based on the original Jaguar C-XF concept car, internal trim enhancements, adaptive cruise control, and a new four-cylinder 187 hp (139 kW; 190 PS) 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is combined with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and stop-start technology to emit 149 g/km CO2 and fuel consumption of 52.3 mpg‑imp (5.40 L/100 km; 43.5 mpg‑US).

[19] The maximum capacity surpasses that of the contemporary BMW 5 Series Touring,[20] Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon,[21] and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (X218) Shooting Brake.

[23] An R-S version of the XF was confirmed in 2012 following an image released shortly before the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The XFR-S differs from the XFR as it has bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels, wider front grills and carbon fibre.

Every area from the outer skin to the lightweight, composite undertray to the cooling airflow (even the shape of the exterior mirrors) was optimised using this process.

The higher, squarer tail is more efficient aerodynamically than a lower, rounded one, and the XF's coupé-like roofline and raised bootlid lip improve airflow over the rear of the car.

The basic substructure of the XF has been carried over from the preceding S-Type, although the body has been stretched to meet crash safety requirements, and heightened to provide additional headroom while still retaining the "saloon within a coupé" proportions.

The gears can either be selected using a rotary dial that rises from the centre console on start-up or can be manually controlled using paddles behind the steering wheel.

The standard audio system comprises a ten-speaker, 250 W set-up that includes a radio, CD player, WMA and MP3 compatibility as well as USB storage devices.

[48] Changes to the stock vehicle included low-mounted rear spoiler, increased power to 510 PS (375 kW; 503 hp) by a remapped ECU, a modified air intake and exhaust system and revised supercharger settings.