Potential buyers of the car and the company may experience a warm glow when
they unlock the doors of the new Jaguar XF saloon and slide behind the
steering wheel.
In what could be interpreted as a touch of auto-eroticism, the
air-conditioning vents open wide like alluring eyes, the starter button
pulses red and a rotary transmission selector rises from the centre console.
A mite suggestive? I couldn’t possibly comment but this automotive cabaret
is a clear design statement that never before has there been a Jaguar quite
like the XF.
Heaven only knows what the company’s founder, Sir William Lyons – he of the
sleek white hair and heavy-framed glasses – would have said, but hopefully
it would have been his equivalent of amazing.
The XF, revealed this week, is Jaguar’s greatest hope for a secure future as
groups of investors circle ready to leap on the world-famous brand that Ford
looks set on selling. The timing is extraordinary because the big spend on
design and development of the XF is almost complete and the car, like the
company, is ready and waiting for customers –– although deliveries will not
start until next March. So vital is the XF that it will be the only model on
Jaguar’s stand on press day at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The XF range –– prices from £33,900 to £54,900 –– incorporates Jaguar’s
traditional values of performance, luxury and style wrapped around by
forceful 21st-century aesthetics and technology, including ultra-rapid
shift-by-wire gear changing. The replacement for the S-Type, it is certainly
not another retro-Jag; only something of the original XJ6 about its big
radiator grille and the undulations of its bonnet are there as tentative
links to the past. But with a waist-line that rises to meet a coupesque
roof, and a high tail, the XF is very much of the future, with clear styling
links to its XK sports car sibling.
There are some unseen and effectively irrelevant elements linking back to the
Lincoln LS from which the S-Type was developed but the XF, although with the
same wheelbase, is quite, quite different. It’s bold, it’s a touch brash and
it is just what Jaguar needs.
It is also thoroughly practical. During a high security
touch-but-don’t-drive-it introduction to the XF before its public
announcement, after the initial surprise of the car’s greeting I found it
was luxurious, roomy and, unlike some earlier Jaguars, with plenty of space
in the rear for tall adults and with a boot sufficiently large (up to 540
litres) to carry a sensible amount of luggage. In-car entertainment includes
an exotic Bowers & Wilkins system with speaker cones made from yellow
Kevlar – the material used for bullet-proof vests.
Established Jaguar engines are offered: a fine V6 2.7litre turbo-diesel,
3.0litre V6 petrol, a 4.2litre V8 and, topping the range, the supercharged
SV8 with power upped to XK levels of 410bhp.
The theory of the XF looks very good but, frustratingly, we can’t drive it for
months, Jaguar says. Let’s hope the passion doesn’t cool during the hiatus.
Having compared the concept design which I find to be one of the sexiest designs for any current car, (up there with the DB9 etc) to the actual car they are producing, I really think Jaguar are clueless. The concept is stunning, yet the actual XF they are in production looks like many other bland saloons from the front. The back is good, but for a company that is on the rocks, they should have put their b*lls on the line and gone with the more butch design. I think for the money it would have sold by the shed load. For me to buy one they would need to release an updated model with the concept XF front end. If they did, my name would be on the order list. But I think maybe it will be too late. Such a shame and a missed opportunity for a once truly great and trend setting marque.
Tom Harvey-Bolton, South Belgravia, London
Jaguar quality is in a different league to BMW and MB saloons, who have dreadful design problems with over-complex systems. The comment about rubbish build quality come from ignorance of British made cars (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, MINI anyone?)
My S-type has been a stylish relaible motorway cruiser for six years and 120k miles, but I'll swap tomorrow for a more adventurous design like the XF!
Good Luck to Jag
Alex, Leicester, UK
I have had two Jaguars (XJ and XK). The build quality is excellent and the local dealership really looks after you. Unlike at BMW garages, who presumably don't have to try so hard.
If nothing else driving a Jaguar sets you apart from the hordes of BMW and Mercedes (why always, always either silver or grey?) drivers.
John C, Cornwall, UK
The actual car doesnt look nearly as good as this picture. The picture is fantastic and Jag would have challenged the world with it. But the real thing is dull and lifeless as most Jags are in appearance.
Jags have always been expensive to run with the rubbish British build quality and this wont change either.
This is the goodbye wave from Jag. they wont survive because they don't really understand the smug selfishness that drives BMW and Audi owners (who are the worst drivers on the road).
sixpack, London, UK
The car has some vision but a bit tame from the concept C-XF, looks like someone upstairs got cold feet. But good effort.
The best thing about it is the comfort and luxury items inside like the sound system from Bowers & Wilkins; Abbey Road Studios use thier speakers as a reference point in all their studios.
Also the touch screen could not be easier, especially when you plug in your iPod.
Overall inside you feel like you have arrived.
Kai Shaffner, Oxford, UK
It look's like a Lexus that's been punched in the face, quite hard.
Nick Dixon, Sutton Coldfield, England
Looks fantastic, even though I suspect it's been french kissing an Aston.
Simon, Hale, Cheshire
Here's my problem with Jaguar: The company seems to be undergoing an undesirable identity crisis, kind of like SAAB has a couple of years ago, whilst competing in a ruthless, identity-matters segment. Are you traditional...or not? Are you modern-traditional? Are you for sport? Are you for evocative design? What? To be sure, it's probably the last question that Jaguar wishes to answer, what with its new design formulae.
But, look, the XF (cool name by the way) will not look what it does in the above picture in all probability. In fact, CAR magazine has, at its site, a more accurate front picture of the XF and it looks extremely bulky and damn generic. Here's what I like: I like the sick C-Pillar. But would I buy an XF to be seen in one? No. Heck, unfortunately, I wouldn't even by a Jaguar for the name...currently. And it doesn't help that the leaping Jaguar may be taken off of the XF hood altogether.
Aleks, Beograd, SRB
Just provisionally ordered one on the strength of your article!
Mark Andrews, Basingstoke,
You seem to be talking more about the concept car than the real car that was launched. Even the picture is from the concept car as opposed to the launch car. The new headlights and grill are no way as nice as the concepts and some of the aggressive stance and front grill/air duct visuals have also been lost from the concept to the road version. Big Shame! The concept was a head turner and the new rod version has lost some of its feline grace and bite!
James Hunter, Hayes, Middx
That is the car that I plan to buy when it comes on sale here. Absolutely gorgeous and I shall be looking forward to it. HAd Ford been as adventurous in designing Jags earlier, they would not have come to such a sorry state.
Mehul Kamdar, Chicago IL, USA
I currently have a one year old 'S' type and despite a couple of problems I love it, but now my heart is ruling my head and I think my name will go on the list for the XF, once again the designers have done the trick. Well Done! Jaguar
Norman, Manchester, England
Finally, a Jaguar that looks good! Not too fond of the bonnet, tho.
Lorinc Del Motte, Sackville, NB, Canada
Here in the US we'll probably only get the two V8 motors, unfortunately (of fortunately, depending on how you look at it).
If I had to choose only one coupe/convertible it would be the XK, andif I had to choose only one sedan it would be this car.
Jaguar's "gorgeous" advertising slogan definitely hits the mark...
Gus, Los Angeles, USA / CA