The Jaguar XFR is the super saloon we’ve all be waiting for the midlands-based manufacturer to unleash.

After driving one of the first XF models we knew Jaguar had built a fine handling car – a model more than capable of taking the power of a V8... with a supercharger bolted on for good measure.

The finished car is even better than we hoped. It moves the super saloon goal posts and should be top of the list for anyone who prizes ultimate performance above running costs.

The thumping, snorting 5-litre with 503bhp and 461lb/ft of torque will happily turn the rear tyres to smoke if you disengage the traction control and tread heavily.

Nought to sixty in 4.7 seconds

Be more delicate and it will chirrup the fat rear wheels and lunge from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds and barely show sign of slowing until it hits its 155mph speed limiter.

Velocity builds at an alarming rate, the refinement of the cabin and fluid ride quality often masking just how fast you are going.

You need to keep a firm eye on the speedometer to keep the XFR legal on British roads.

The poise with which it tackles any stretch of tarmac is exceptional. It is one of few cars we’ve driven which can claim to be truly comfortable and sporting without notable compromises in either area.

Jeeves or Jenson? You decide...

Leave the suspension and gearbox in its normal setting and use just the first quarter of throttle travel and there are few cars which ride as sweetly and stay as quiet as the Jag.

Press the chequered-flag emblazoned sports button - which sharpens the dampers, steering and gearbox response - and explore the throttle more fully and few sports cars will keep up.

The XFR rarely feels like a big, heavy car (despite weighing almost two tonnes) - it’s always light on its feet no matter what road it’s pawing. Even the brakes shrug off the job of stopping the car with ease.

Luxurious, stylish and modern

We already rate the XF interior as one of the best we’ve tested, and the only complaint of the XFR is that it doesn’t move things on even further.

The seats are more aggressively shaped to keep you held in place, and they are still comfortable enough for long stints behind the wheel.

The word ‘Supercharged’ appears on the blue backlit dials in case you miss the oh-my-god acceleration and V8 burble. There’s also an XFR logo on the steering wheel.

Boot space is an impressive 500 litres and the XFR is one of the quickest cars which will let you take your friends and family with you. The rear seats are comfortable for most, but headroom can be a problem for taller passengers.

Power broker

Power comes at a cost, and in the XFR’s case you will notice this most at the pumps. Jaguar claims a combined fuel consumption of 22.5mpg, and it is possible to amble using the long gearing and high torque to save fuel.

Drive fast and the tank can empty with alarming rapidity. Emissions of 292g/km place the XFR in a high tax band, but it compares favourably with the BMW M5 (357g/km) and Audi RS6 (331g/km).

At a cost of £59,900 the XFR’s most direct rivals are the BMW M5 and Audi RS6.

It’s also an interesting alternative to the banzai Nissan GT-R, which costs similar money with a few option boxes ticked.

The Nissan has four-wheel drive, massive computing power and colossal grip, but it can’t match the cabin ambience, comfort and suppleness of the fast Jag.

Ultimately the two cars will appeal to difference customers, the two sub-£50k models, each with around 500bhp which tackle performance motoring in very different ways.

In our eyes the XFR goes to the top of the traditional super saloon class. It might not be as quick as the Audi RS6 in a straight line, or have the V10 of the BMW M5 – but its supercharged V8 gives it searing pace which is allowed to shine by one of the best-judged chassis we’ve ever sampled. Coupled with a sumptuous cabin, reasonable price-tag and loveable character it’s a devastating package.

Check out this video of a modified XFR hitting 225mph...