Jaguar: unveils gorgeous new XF sedan
I was in
Intrigued, I walked closer to see what all the ruckus was about. Fifty feet away, I saw through the spaces between the people what was probably the sexiest rear end I’ve ever seen on a four-door sedan.
It looked like the rear of an Aston Martin sports car, but I knew that James Bond’s choice of ride didn’t come with four doors. I squeezed myself through the crowd and saw what they were all admiring – the new Jaguar XF in sparkling silver.
CES is a trade show for computer and electronics geeks, but these geeks know a drop-dead gorgeous car when they see one. And the Jaguar XF most certainly is.
The XF takes over where the timelessly beautiful (a description that applies to all Jaguars) S-Type leaves off. Jaguar’s new mid-sized sedan gets its name from the XF concept car of last year.
The main visual difference between the S-Type and the new XF, which debuted in the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, is that the latter has a much more sporting stance with its swept-back front end (highlighted by a delicately crafted steel mesh grille which proudly showcases the Jaguar emblem on its center), sweeping roofline, tapered rear fenders, and pinched rear end.
The lines are taut, suggesting a predatory cat ready to pounce. Veteran Jaguar designer Ian Callum worked his design magic on the XF to produce a stylishly sophisticated sedan with the shapely sexiness of the Jaguar XK sports cars.
The XF’s steel chassis is a variation of the S-Type’s that was originally shared with the US-market-only Lincoln LS, a legacy of Ford’s long-time ownership of the celebrated British marquee (which in turn was recently acquired by
Needless to say, the chassis was thoroughly modernized with stiffening measures to give the XF an even more stable, quieter, and vibration-free platform. Dual front bulkheads, a composite undertray, and a low drag coefficient of 0.29 help keep the cabin hushed even at high speeds.
The fully independent suspension is adapted from the XK Coupe, as are both the 300-bhp 4.2-liter V8 engine and the optional 420-bhp supercharged variant. A 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 motor is the entry-level engine.
Improvements were made to the ZF 6-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters rev-match and, in the supercharged model, will hold a gear when in the most sporting setting.
The base models are well-equipped and come with 18-inch wheels while the supercharged model has standard 20-inch alloys. It also gets Jaguar’s aptly named CATS electronically controlled shock absorbers, larger front brake discs, and Dynamic Mode for the stability control, which enables a full-off setting.
The interior is modern while still maintaining British tradition with the use of wood, leather and metal. Endearing touches include a Start push button which pulsates like a heartbeat when it senses the key fob, and upon starting, a shift selector knob that rises majestically into the driver’s palm. Hidden air vents also rotate open to conclude the welcome-to-my-stunningly-gorgeous-new-XF show for the wide-eyed passengers.
The shift knob replaces the venerable J-gate and is now called a “JaguarDrive Selector.” Typical English touches include a sublime glovebox button, which is actually a coin-sized Royal Air Force roundel in silver that’s inlaid in the wood dash. Swipe your hand over it and nothing happens, but with a deliberate touch to its center, the glovebox swings open.
At night, the interior’s blue lighting transforms the car from fancy resto to a classy night club. And with the optional 440-watt (RMS) Bowers & Wilkins stereo and distinctive yellow-Kevlar-coned speakers, it’s easy to lose oneself inside the XF’s sumptuous, cosseting cabin.
Prices? The XF 3.0 V6 Luxury starts at P4.5M while the 3.0 V6 Premium Luxury goes up to P5.35M. For the V8s, the 4,2 goes for P5.8M while the supercharged 4.2 flagship tops out at a breathtaking P7.8M.
Time to line up for the lotto again…
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