Dealer limited editions aren’t normally the type of car to draw collectors’ attention, but the Jaguar XFR Le Mans Edition is a lot more special than most
WITH ITS thumping 5.0- litre supercharged V8 and its sensational handling, the Jaguar XFR is a pretty special car at the best of times. But in 2010, the Stratstone dealer group – one of the brand’s most prolific retailers – commissioned a special run of 50 limited edition cars that took it to the next level.
The XFR Stratstone Le Mans Edition was offered in either Midnight Black or Polaris White, and was produced (somewhat unusually for a dealer special) with the full backing of the factory. The reason behind that was CSR – or Corporate and Social Relations – an important part of any car manufacturer’s public policy operation.
Stratstone had pledged to donate £5000 from the sale of its Le Mans Editions to the Royal British Legion, which meant good PR, so Jaguar was predisposed to assist and allow the dealer group to make some changes to the specification.
A total of just 50 Le Mans Editions were produced – 25 in each colour – £100 from the sale each going to the charity. It very nearly cost Stratstone a whole lot more than that, too, as the Circuit de la Sarthe – owners of the Le Mans 24hr trademark – were somewhat disgruntled by Stratstone’s naming convention, for which they allegedly hadn’t sought permission.
Each one came with a numbered plaque on the door shuts and a unique Le Mans Edition gear selector, along with several exterior and interior features unique to the model.
Under the skin, the Stratstone special was very much the same as the standard XFR, but that was no bad thing at all as it meant you got the model’s wonderful 5.0-litre supercharged V8, with 510PS and a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds. Close to supercar performance in a compact saloon package.
As well as the choice of just two paint colours, the exterior modifications included a black front grille with a colour-coded grille surround, chrome finish twin bonnet louvres with “supercharged” script and 20-inch gloss black wheels with ‘Jaguar R’ brake callipers and red centre caps.
Open the door and aside from the numbered sill plaque (this one is number 11 of 50), it also got special edition embossed leather headrests, a gear selector carrying the Stratstone Le Mans chequered flag emblem, piano black veneers and a dark mesh aluminium dash, while the seat stitching was reflected by the stitch pattern in the dash. It was subtly different from the standard XFR, but different nonetheless.
SPECIAL EDITION
Speaking at the car’s launch, Stratstone’s Managing Director, James Brearley, said: “The Limited Edition is the definitive sporting saloon and no detail has been spared.
“Alr
