I wonder if this is true

Jaguar ?R? models facing the axe | Auto Express

 

What does the R stand for? R's are as cool as X's. Harley had the XR, the FLHR, Honda had an R, Lexus has an R, Subaru, Mazada, Cadillac, Toyota Corolla! The Nissan Xterra has X's and R's!!

And there's the snifter. D for drive. And R for race!! But you can only do that once...

 

Makes me glad I have an R...

Also, have been test driving the XE's lately, and I think they're phasing out the "R-Sport", and simply having the "S"?

 

According to this the history is a bit simpler than thought

Jaguar performance cars: the story behind the badge - Richard Aucock

 

Interesting article but that is explaining the badge colours and designs rather than where the R comes from. As per previous posts, the R has been used with Jaguars since the 1980's not the early 2000's as per the article.

 

If the acceleration is any indication, I'd say the 'R' stands for Rocket.

 

R in the yUK means racing - the old Castrol R vegetable based oil was made for racing