WHEN the Jaguar XF was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the North American International Auto Show in 2007, it won many fans over with its gorgeous styling courtesy of Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum.
The XF featured many changes from its predecessor, the S-Type, such as the front lights and nose, which integrated an oval mesh grille, which is a throwback to the original Jaguar XJ of 1968. The trunk cover retained the S-Type’s chromed blade to its edge, including a more upswing Jaguar logo.
The interior received unique touches like the air-conditioning vents, which were flush-fitting in the dash, and a rotating gearshift dial called the JaguarDrive Selector, which rises out of the center console. A clear dispersion from the traditional Jaguar cabin ambiance is the use of elegant, pale-blue backlighting to the instruments, switchgear and around major control panels. Some minor systems, such as the interior lighting, are controlled simply by touching the light covers. The glove compartment also opens to the touch. Remarkably, the XF is fully trimmed in leather and real wood veneers are available, with a healthy sprinkling of aluminum, carbon fiber and piano black lacquer trim.
In April 2011 Jaguar unveiled a face-lifted version of the XF called the XF 2.2 TD at the New York International Auto Show, which included front and rear styling changes—based on the original Jaguar C-XF concept car, internal trim enhancements, adaptive cruise control, and a new 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine with stop-start technology mated to a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which was made standard across the entire XF range for all gasoline and diesel engines beginning last year, resulting in better fuel economy, reduced emissions and smoother acceleration. With the tranny, gearshifts are executed in just 200 milliseconds while driver intervention is possible through the use of the steering wheel-mounted paddles, allowing multiple downshifts and selecting the desired gear with ease.
The use of lightweight and compact components, including a rear differential with an aluminum casing, means there is no weight or packaging penalty when compared with the outgoing six-speed models, while efficiency is improved through the use of an upgraded pump design and greater control of the gear elements.
The highly regarded 2.2 i4 Td featured in the 2015 model is now available in two forms, both of which offer a smooth, refined and muscular power delivery ideally suited to Jaguar’s sporting saloon, along with reducing emissions and improving fuel economy.
The entry-level variant offers 163 ps and 400 Nm of torque, while the higher-powered version has been uprated from 190 ps to 200 ps and at 450 Nm.
During my test drive of the XF, I was impressed by how the knobs, buttons, and other switch gears engaged with precise and solid movements—par for any Jaguar. The XF comes with standard features that you won’t find in many cars, including a new Meridian sound system upgrade instead of B&W with a choice of 380w 11-speaker or an 825w surround-sound 17-speaker system.
A 7-inch full-color screen is fitted to the dashboard of all XFs and can be used to control most multimedia systems. The same screen can also be upgraded with analogue and digital-television capability. Available as an option is the JaguarVoice, which allows the driver to issue voice commands to control everything from the sound and navigation systems to telephone calls and the climate-control system.
Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Ready Alert Braking, Traction Control, and Rain Brake Support, are some features that helped get the Jaguar top safety ratings from the EuroNCAP. Proximity sensors issue beeps that correspond to the location of the obstacle.
Very few premium saloons can match the Jaguar’s combination of style, safety and in-your-face presence. Whether you’re a family man to whom safety comes first, a company executive who prefers to take the backseat, or simply a driving enthusiast who likes to stand out on the road, the XF is one of those cars worth having in your driveway.