Jaguar XF: Leaping Cat Claws Back Into Contention

Motoring Channel Staff - 27/August/2007

Coventry, England — Jaguar's S-Type sedan, the car that was ostensibly developed to counter the rampaging successes delivered by the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class models, has been replaced.

The new Jaguar XF made its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, presenting an all new style inspired by the C-XF Concept car. It replaces the S-Type sedan which sold about 270,000 units since going on sale in 1999.

With a dynamic new style and a range of premium features, Jaguar is confident the new model will deliver increased sales for the company, which delivered poor results in the last decade with a flat line-up of luxury cars. The new model will go on sale in Europe in the second quarter of 2008 and asJaguar Car's MD explained, the new-look luxury car builds on the elegant style of the XK models.

"The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," commented Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars.

"Our new XK sports car has been very well-received and is enjoying great success. We are now moving on to the next stage of Jaguar's exciting new design era – and if you like the new XK, just wait until you see the new Jaguar XF!"

With it's striking new design and long list of luxury features designed to impress premium car buyers, such as the touch-activated interior lights and glove box and the hidden' air-conditioning vents that swivel open when the car is turned on, Jaguar's newest car could be the company's saving grace.

Jaguar XF Design

Developed by Jaguar at its design centre in Whitley, Coventry, in the UK, the new car has a wildly divergent look compared to the outgoing S-Type. Gone are the traditional Jaguar headlights that track along the hood and the sedan-like body, replaced with smoother, more generic headlights and a coupe-like body style respectively.

The front end features a mesh-covered grille flanked by the new headlights and a long engine hood like most Jaguars, both past and present. From the side that car has a coupe-like profile and the rear windscreen appears to taper gently down towards the rear end, but rear seat room has been maintained because the cars shoulders rise slightly towards the rear. 

The car is also longer than the S-Type it replaces.

Viewed from the rear the new Jaguar XF features slim brake lights that have been inspired by the XK, though with a less sporty and more prestige character. Together with conservatively styled rear end and twin exhaust system the new XF model is a brand new design, at once athletic and elegant with a far sportier look than its precursor, the Jaguar S-Type.

Most XF models will be equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, and options also include 20-inch rims.

Jaguar XF Luxury

With a full leather interior, Jaguar's new XF features a suitable amount of luxury. The overall interior design is one of simplicity. There aren't a huge amount of buttons and dials to confuse drivers, yet everything is attractively laid out. Even the gear shifter is now a small dial on the centre console. There's no gear stick to speak of.

All the luxury features you'd expect of a premium car can be found in the XF, such as climate control, voice command, adaptive radar-based cruise control, blind spot monitor, electric seats, a touch screen monitor with sat nav, Bluetooth connectivity, and a premium stereo with eight speakers and a sub woofer, but at the same time everything has been simplified to be touch-button accessible, and scaled down to improve cabin aesthetics.

Front and rear proximity parking sensors and a rear parking camera will also be offered.

Standard features such as a tyre pressure monitoring system and an electronic push-button hand brake allow for easy operation of the vehicle, and there's also a premium 'Bowers & Wilkins' stereo available as an option, that may be packaged as standard on the range-topping models.

Jaguar XF Engines

Four engines will be offered with the new XF:

2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel
3.0-litre V6 petrol
4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol
4.2-litre supercharged V8 petrol

Mick Mohan, the XF's chief programme engineer said that all models will blend power with refinement: "The XF's engines combine effortless performance, unrivalled character and an impeccable pedigree. The 6-speed automatic transmission is the best Jaguar has ever had. The Jaguar Sequential Shift manual gearchange adds a whole new level of functionality. This combination - already proven in the XK - produces excellent powertrains for a very sporting Jaguar."

Jaguar explains that both petrol V6 and diesel V6 engines are offered in the Luxury models; the naturally aspirated V8 will be Premium Luxury only and the supercharged SV8 has its own unique specification, for a very logical, easily understood range.

The twin turbocharged 2.7-litre 24-valve V6 diesel delivers 152kW and 435Nm of torque. It takes 8.2 seconds to reach 100km/h.

The 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine is another compact, lightweight, all-aluminium design with four overhead camshafts, and VCP Continuously Variable Cam Phasing and variable geometry air intakes. It produces 175kW and 293Nm peak torque and can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds and like the twin turbo diesel XF it too has a top speed of more than 225km/h.

The new 5-seater luxury car from Jaguar will be offered with a range of 6--cylinder engines, and also the marque's ageing 4.2-litre V8. Though it has been used for more than a decade now, the V8 engine is still capable of keeping up with its rivals, and in supercharged form is very potent.

Both the petrol and diesel 6-cylinder models will offered with the XF in order to rival the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes E-Class 6-cylinder models.

The normally aspirated V8 Jaguar XF models will output around 220kW (300hp) and 411Nm of torque, giving the capacity to accelerate to 100km/h in about 6.5 seconds. 

The supercharged 4.2-litre V8 version of the Jaguar XF (designated SV8) will output about 300kW (408hp) of power and a stunning 560Nm of torque. The SV8 models can sprint from zero to 100km/h in about 5.4 seconds according to Jaguar, which will ensure the 'sports sedan' moniker is not foolishly applied. Both V8 models are speed limited to 250km/h.

As mentioned, the Jaguar XF features an all-new gear shifting system, one that disposes of the traditional gearstick. Called the JaguarDrive Selector, it is a small dial that sits flush with the transmission tunnel surface and is a first for the automotive industry. 

Likely to attract a lot of attention, the new JaguarDrive Selector rises out of its recess when the engine is turned on, and is simply rotated to it's various positions (park, reverse, neutral, drive, sports mode). The transmission also features different modes that change stability control and throttle response to suit the conditions.

Jaguar XF Chassis

Flagship models will include Computer Adaptive Technology Suspension, or CATS, which adjusts the suspension damping rates to reduce body roll and increase grip through corners. 

The steering system will be a power-assisted variable ratio type, which makes it easier to steer the car at low speeds by increasing sensitivity, and vice versa at higher speeds. The front disc brakes will be 326mm in diameter on the standard models, with the supercharged versions getting 355mm discs.

Related articles:
- Jaguar S-Type (2008)
- Jaguar XKR (2007)
- Jaguar XK Convertible (2007)
- Jaguar C-XF Concept (2006)
- Jaguar XK (2006)
- Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe (concept)