I'm still searching for my first Jag, a 2011 XF. Doing tons of research, taking my time, and looking for the right price. I've noticed a few dealer photos online that show the car with the vents that are directly behind the front wheel well. Some are chrome, others are body paint with just chrome JAGUAR logo. Is there any model significance between the two that I've been seeing? I can't tell if it is a base vs. premium tell, but I don't think it is.

Also, I've noticed one of the cars with an "S" designation on the right side of trunk. I know it's not the supercharged car, and thought the only other choices for the year were Base and Premium. Anyone know what the "S" is there for?

Many thanks, and looking forward to getting my ride soon!
Cohibas and Cocktails,
Artsyguy

 

The chrome side vents are a popular upgrade but they don't designate anything in particular. From what I have gathered, I'm guessing someone liked the S badge and just added it, because I don't think any US cars from 2011 had that designation.

I have an XFR so option packages aren't my strongest suit. Hopefully someone else can shed more light.

 

The chrome side vents were a factory or dealer option, but you can also get aftermarket stick-on ones for a fraction of the cost. I've added those stick-on ones (3M tape) to both my XFs and they fit perfectly and you can't pick them as being non-factory.

In non-North American markets the "S" badge denotes the XF-S, which came with the higher output twin turbo 3 litre V6 diesel, bigger front brakes, and a few other add-ons compared to the more basic model. My first XF was an XF-S.
Here's a pic of it showing the S badge:




I believe the 2008 XF SV8 (4.2 litre supercharged) may have had "S" badges in North America, whereas elsewhere it carried SV8 badges.

It was replaced in 2009 by the XFR with the 5 litre supercharged V8.

 

There are options for the side vents. Chrome being the most popular and available from Jag accessories.

 

If you are looking for high horsepower with a good set of options the '11 in the supercharged version is a great value.

 

Thanks for the comments guys. Dealer claims the S badged car is the 5L v8, so I'm thinking someone just stuck the letter on. As for the chrome covered vents, I prefer the body color over the chrome, but I wouldn't let it be deal breaker one way or the other. Jaguny, I'm scared of reliability issues with anything supercharged. Coming off a Lexus, just considering ANY Jag makes me nervous about reliability issues, but I've decided to take a leap of faith!