Jaguar Tuner Arden Reveals Ultra-Hot XF-based AJ21

While some dealers are starting to take the new Jaguar XF backwards by having a leaper tacked onto the hood (how gauche), high-end tuner Arden has taken out a big brush and painted broad strokes across the car’s front end, totally reshaping its grille in the process. Oh, the leaper’s part of the remake, unfortunately, but at least the new AJ21 appears more Arden than Jaguar, which to some will be a positive move in the right direction.

And unlike some tuners, Arden has made its rather dramatic mods tastefully. Its big, wide smiling wire-mesh grille looks more S-Type and the XF’s obvious departure from Jaguar’s past, and the stylish LEDs that line the deeper front fascia’s lower vents take cues from Audi’s audacious R8. The AJ21’s aerodynamic package adds a fluid grace to the XF’s normally slab-sided flanks, while a duct at the rearmost point of each rocker cools the rear brakes while making an aggressive design statement. It gets nastier in back, mind you, with a fairly large but nevertheless form-fitting sitting wing atop the deck lid, and at the car’s base a racy diffuser wrapping around four overzealous chromed tailpipes. Finishing off the look is a set of 21-inch forged alloy rims that hint at the completely reworked suspension hidden beneath the car.

The suspension upgrades are needed, of course, because Arden has applied a little tuner talent to the top-line XF’s supercharged 4.2-liter V8. Right off the bat it grew in displacement by some 300 cubic centimeters to 4.5 liters, while a custom-built crank and modified con rods and pistons combine for a 500-horsepower maximum. Arden gives the same growth hormones to the naturally aspirated V8, resulting in 380-horsepower.

The interior can be upgraded too, with more form fitting seats and other unique features, but this is an area that most will agree should be left alone as much as possible.

Arden’s enhancements will no doubt be good news to those who just can’t wait for their OEM-tuned XFR to arrive, and interestingly could be just the ticket for those put off by the new car’s non-traditional styling.