Jaguar XF

Video Title :	Jaguar XF
Description :	The XF is packed full of innovation, including touchscreens, a glovebox which opens at the wave of a hand and a new hidden gear selector. But it's perhaps the looks that are its most striking aspect. When we gave you the first glimpse of the C-XF concept, many thought Jaguar's design director Ian Callum could never bring such a shape to production unchanged. As you can see here, he's been able to do exactly that. The front end -- which debuts the styling direction for a whole new range of Jaguars -- is dominated by the same recessed mesh grille with a Jaguar badge in the centre. And the bumper gets a low splitter with chrome blades at its corners. Wraparound headlights feature twin circular elements reminiscent of Jaguar's trademark quad lamps. On the bonnet is a pronounced 'power bulge', and sharp lines run from the new grille to the A-pillars. Key to the car's sportiness is a rising waistline. Combined with the steeply sloping back screen and wide rear track, this helps give the XF the look of a four-door coupé, similar to the Mercedes CLS. At the back, there are bright LED tail-lights and the Jaguar name in chrome across the bootlid. The styling isn't only distinctive -- it's aerodynamically efficient, too. Together with a lightweight composite air-channelling undertray, the XF returns an excellent drag coefficient of 0.29 -- a figure which even betters that of the XJ220 supercar. Inside, it's just as clever. The dash has a clean design, with a simple twin-dial instrument binnacle, a centre console with touchscreen and a neat blend of soft-touch materials, traditional wood and aluminium finishes. The XF has plenty of party pieces. Keyless start is standard, and as soon as the driver gets in, the ignition button pulses red like a heartbeat. At the same time, the air vents open from their flush, closed position. Gear selection is by means of a cylinder which rises up to meet the driver's hand. Simply rotating it selects a mode -- you can leave the system in automatic 'D', or take full control via steering wheel-mounted paddles. What's more, proximity sensors trigger the glovebox to open or the interior lights to dim with just the wave of a hand, while there's classy phosphor blue cabin illumination. So it's clear Jaguar has pulled out all the stops. Three trim levels will be available -- Luxury, Premium Luxury and SV8 for the flagship supercharged V8 car. All XFs will have a generous level of equipment, with items such as electric seats fitted as standard. Satellite navigation, MP3 player connectivity, and three different sound systems -- including a range-topping Bowers Wilkins set-up -- feature on the extensive options list, as do adaptive cruise control and voice control. A rear parking camera and blind spot warning system can also be specified. Thanks to the increased rear track and improved headroom, Jaguar promises more space in the back than in the S-Type, and with a 540-litre boot -- or 960 litres with the rear seats down -- it should be practical, too. For real load space, though, buyers will probably go for the Touring estate. It's one of three further XF models Jaguar has on its wishlist. A two-door drop-top is also being considered, as well as a BMW M5-rivalling R-badged super-saloon, powered by a 500bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8. While that engine is all-new, and won't debut for another year or so, buyers will get four power options at launch. Alongside the 207bhp 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel and 238bhp 3.0 V6 petrol, taken from the S-Type, there is a 298bhp 4.2 V8, plus a 416bhp supercharged version for the SV8. All engines are hooked up to Jag's excellent six-speed automatic transmission. This means performance is impressive; even the entry-level V6 petrol covers 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds. The SV8 completes the sprint in 5.1 seconds, and can reach 155mph. But with only the 2.7 diesel dipping below 225g/km of CO2 (it emits 199g/km and returns an excellent 37.6mpg), all petrol XFs will sit in the top road tax band. That means tax of £400 a year in 2008/09 and possibly £25 a day to enter central London under new congestion charge plans. As ever, Jaguar is using a front-engined rear-wheel-drive layout, and the XF shares much of its platform architecture with the current S-Type. However, engineers employed the latest steels for the body panels and aluminium for suspension components. At the front are unequal length wishbones -- chosen to improve the ride of the car -- while at the rear the XF gets a multi-link layout, ensuring impressive agility and grip. Both are mounted on subframes and, together with class-leading torsional stiffness, promise a sporty blend of ride and handling in Jaguar's fine tradition.
Views :	110223
Rating :	4.02
Keywords, Tags :	Jaguar XF Auto Express Magazine Chrysler Ford Landrover
Video Length :	1 : 17

Comments :

I don't see what's wrong with it. If you don't like it, fine. But don't spread it all over the video and expect EVERYONE to like your car.

And I'd like to ask you what these "flaws are".

the headlights, the grille, and the extra doors

In response to your comment, Jeremy Clarkson said this. He's a bigger petrol head than you so don't even try. "It is. It may have the same engine as Noah used in his ark but as a car for covering ground, on A-roads, my God. You can forget your BMWs. This is fanbleedingtastic. Balanced. Meaty. Pretty soon you wont worry about the poor dipped-beam lighting either. The beam from your smile will illuminate the road ahead well enough."

You mean Jeremy Clarkson from South Yorkshire? He wouldn't dismiss a car based on it's country or brand of origin. He judges legendary brands more harshly because he has integrity, and lately BMW isn't living up to their reputation. Is there a Monaro/GTO equivalent in the UK?

Nope, he's from Doncaster get your facts straight. Manaro GTO? We have the Vauxhall VXR8 and Monaro. The VXR8 would shit all over a GTO.

You need to see this car in person, then it looks awesome. 5/5, take it over a german car anyday.

i saw one today and my jaw dropped. it was GORGEOUS.

the xf really copies the shape of the lexus gs class, but the xf is a hell lot better

I just hope they change those headlights to the concept 1