These are the first official photographs of Jaguar's long-awaited XFR sports sedan that is due to make its worldwide debut at this week's Detroit motor show. Aimed squarely at the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, this wild cat comes with a supercharged V8 engine delivering 510HP and a more aggressive design in and out with details that hint but do not shout at the car's performance.

At the heart of the new XFR we find an all new 5.0-litre AJ-V8 Gen III engine fitted with a sixth-generation, Roots-type twin vortex system (TVS) supercharger. It produces an output of 510HP between 6,000-6,500 rpm and 625Nm (461 lb.ft) of torque from 2,500-5,500 rpm. Compared to its supercharged 4.2-litre V8 predecessor, power has increased by 23 percent and torque has increased by 12 percent.

Power is transmitted to the rear-wheels through an enhanced version of Jaguar's electronically controlled, six-speed transmission. Additional clutch plates and an uprated torque converter have been added to facilitate the extra power.

The result is that the new XFR has a 0-60mph sprint time of just 4.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) while acceleration from 50-70mph is completed in just 1.9 seconds. The XFR runs the quarter mile in 13.1 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). As for the XFR's fuel economy, Jaguar gives an official combined fuel economy figure of 22.5mpg UK (18.8mpg US or 12.5l/100km).

Aside from the supercharged V8, Jaguar's engineers have enhanced the XFR with Active Differential Control and Adaptive Dynamics. The electronically controlled differential and suspension system work together to optimize traction under acceleration and cornering. The XFR also adds a faster steering ratio and uses larger ventilated disc brakes.

Moving on to the car's design, while recognizable as a performance version of the XF, Jaguar's designers -rightfully in our opinion- avoided embellishing the model with an exaggerated bodykit. The result is a car that balances between sporty and sleek.

Compared to the standard XF, the new XFR gains a revised snout with a larger lower grille with black-finished mesh, plus chrome outboard air intakes. The upper mesh grille retains XF's bright finish, while the bonnet carries distinctive louvres, similar to those found on the XKR sports car. The XFR also features new sill extensions, while the rear bumper adds a unique body-coloured lower valance panel incorporating the 'R' signature of four large, bright-finished tail pipes. The new bootlid spoiler, the redesigned exterior mirrors with LED side repeaters and the 20-inch Nevis alloy wheels complete the changes.

Inside, Jaguar adorned the XFR's dashboard with a dark mesh aluminum finish trim, New 18x14-way adjustable sports seats embossed with the 'R' logo while the the speedometer and tachometer gain red dial pointers and carry the 'Supercharged' motif. The XFR will come with a full soft grain leather interior as standard.

Jaguar will offer the new XFR with a select palette of just eight exterior colors: Ultimate Black, Indigo, Liquid Silver, Lunar Grey, Porcelain, Botanical Green, Kyanite Blue and Salsa.