Jalopnik
Here you go kids, it's your brand-saving entry from Shag-you-are, the XF. Yeah, it's not as hot as the XF Concept, even though Mr. Cullum promised it would be. Still, this cat's got some good curves on her, even going so far as aping Aston's DB9 from behind. Dare we say that perhaps we were a bit too hasty in our initial verdict? Or does everything look simply snazzy under 17 coats of wax, professional lighting and 50 gallons of none-more-black paint? And have we shown you the interior? No, really, have a look at the gorgeous orange seats. You'll plotz. We did.
THE NEW JAGUAR XF
Challenging convention and setting its own rules, the new Jaguar XF fuses the style and performance of a sports car with the refinement, space and sophistication of a luxury saloon. This is the beginning of a new era for Jaguar.
The new XF: a dramatic expression of a bold new Jaguar design language, with a driving experience that exceeds expectations created by the striking appearance: relaxed and confident, with outstanding ability and control.
Resolutely true to the Jaguar philosophy of creating Beautiful, Fast cars, the XF goes further, adding a new dimension to the marque. The four-door XF has the visual excitement of a coupe, but room inside for five adults to enjoy an interior wholly contemporary in style yet uniquely Jaguar.
As well as space, the new XF's interior ambiance is enriched by crafted, luxurious materials, sophisticated instruments and calm interior mood lighting. Engineering excellence and attention to detail mean the XF's interior matches the best-in-class for refinement, while Jaguar's intelligent use of technology and driver-friendly Touch-screen controls add new layers of comfort and ease of use.
Every XF model has shift-by-wire transmission control, with Jaguar's class-leading sequential shift system - its popularity already confirmed by feedback from XK sports car customers - used for the first time in a saloon. Shift-by-wire replaces manual shift linkages with electronic commands and gives every XF rapid and very smooth gearshifts - faster, even, than the acclaimed XK's transmission.
The Jaguar Sequential ShiftTM System gives the driver the option of one-touch manual gearchange control via steering-wheel mounted paddles. There are also multiple JaguarDrive ControlTM transmission modes, including Dynamic and Winter settings, which interact with throttle progression, Dynamic Stability Control thresholds and shift strategy to match mood and conditions.
But the most exciting feature of the XF's transmission control is the all-new JaguarDrive SelectorTM - an industry-first rotary shift interface that combines precise, intuitive control with space-saving packaging, to allow maximisation of interior storage options.
Other innovative functional features add more 'surprise and delight'. Air-conditioning vents present a flush dashboard surface until the ignition is switched on, at which point they elegantly rotate to the open position. Another new technology - JaguarSenseTM - introduces touch or proximity-sensing control for overhead console lights and the glovebox release.
Every level of audio system features at least eight speakers, with a premium system designed in association with highly respected audio specialist Bowers & Wilkins available on range-topping models. Radio options now include a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system and Sirius Satellite Radio for the North American market, while the XF technology count includes Bluetooth® communications technology, plus optional iPod® and MP3 player connectivity with full-function control through the Touch-screen - and an auxiliary port on every car for other portable audio devices.
Other available features include JaguarVoiceTM control to operate navigation and telephone functions, Blind Spot Monitor, Front and Rear Parking Aids and Rear Camera Parking Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Speed Limiter, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Electronic Parking Brake.
Mick Mohan, XF Chief Programme Engineer comments:
"The interior of the XF is a combination of style and substance. It bristles with innovative, industry-leading features. From the smart technical solution of the JaguarDrive SelectorTM, through the seamless efficiency of rotating vents, to the simplicity of Touch-screen control, the XF proves aesthetics and function can work together in perfect harmony."
Engineering excellence and class-leading structural rigidity are at the heart of the new XF's construction. The advanced body structure, which comprises high-tech materials and new-generation design techniques, maximises strength and minimises weight to give the XF superb performance, refinement and efficiency across its range of V6 and V8 engines. These engines include the quietest diesel engine in its class and a supercharged V8 that delivers outstanding levels of performance.
The new XF is best in class for torsional stiffness, and with a wide rear track displays excellent handling characteristics. These elements underpin a dynamic ethos that is driver-focussed yet supremely comfortable and refined. Just as its looks promise, the new XF excels across the board, in every role from a sports car to a luxurious long-distance cruiser.
Comments
Maybe it doesn't photograph well?
Beacuse it still looks cheap to me, especially the black-plastic swoop on the c-pillar, and the entire nose treatment.
I don't see anything really special about the interior either. Orange? The hell?
Whoa look! It's the rear end of a DBS!
No, wait, It's the rear end of an AMV8!
No, wait, it's the rear end of a DB9!
No, wait, It's the rear end of a Vanquish!
No, wait, it's the rear end of a Rapide!
Ian Callum = one-hit wonder
Ian McKellan = wizard
I'm very sorry but that from that first picture I thought it was a Buick. THEN I read the headline. Hmmmm...didn't think there would be Buicks in Frankfurt.
I like it a little better each time I see it. It's still not my favorite car on the market, but remember that this is up against the 5-series, GS, M45, RL (yawn), and E-class (Zzzzzzzz).
Still waiting to see it in green. I hope Jaguar's new owners recognize that you don't put out press photos of a new Jag only in silver. Sheesh. I'm getting annoyed at Damiler for doing press photos in silver and white, too. Mercs should be black damnit, and Jags should be green.
And are those seats really orange? It looks like a lighter brown captured in artificial lighting to me. I'm with @Seth L. It doesn't come off well in photos.
Nice, nice & nicer... maybe they should withdraw the original publicity shots and re-issue them using a black car... hell, maybe they should only SELL them in black! 'tis still owned by the company that Henry built, after all...
I'll have to reserve final judgement until I actually see one in the flesh, but color me unimpressed.
Strike 2.
Okay, I will grant you that if the seats are in fact orange, as you claim, the Nuevo Jag gets a bonus point.
However, it loses 10 points for having wheels that look like they are plastic wheel covers from a Hyundai.
Astin Martin butt, Volvo grill, Monte Carlo head lights.
Sorry, that's really all I'm getting out of this.
I'd really like to see Jag succeed, but this ain't it.
its the perfect car for schizophrenics
and for myself and for me. uhhhhhhhh
maybe not.
Still there will be people out there who will buy this car and keep ol' Ferd afloat a little while longer
I like the double stitch getting repeated on the seats (Hopefully Lutz was taking notes for the CTS). Not crazy about no wood wheel, but maybe that's an option. Lights still look cheap. Not the Jewelery one would expect. Looks like a metallic black, which I love, so this car gets points just for that.
Also what's with the .3 second gap to get those extra 2 mph? gear change?
I <3 the rear 3/4 angle. A lot. That said the front clip screams "LEXUS" with weird BMW/Benz headlight clusters. I'm reserving judgment until I see one in the flesh.
It does look a little better in green, but only a little. Jag had one parked outside it's post-Frankfurt party tonight. There were a few S-types doing the rounds as cabs for (some of) the guests - seeing the XF next to the S really makes it look better. Still hate the headlights though.
This reminds me of a black Sonata with a kit I saw yesterday...
With the exception of the upcoming CTS, this is the most purposeful and smart new design to come out of any automaker since the first A4 in the early 90s. As for all of these snarkey comparisons to other cars... well, people see what they want to see. I have been unimpressed with Jag's recent sedans, but based on these pics, I suspect the XF is going to do extremely well.
The guys on Top Gear once talked about how Jag does a lot of weird designs that age well (their examples were the XJS and XK8). I'm tempted to say this'll fall in the same catagory. It's still got a great silhouette, and really, Aston Martins look great - if you're going to steal, steal something awesome.
I hope it doesn't photograph well because that looks like dullsville from here. I honestly can't figure out what all you guys see -- it reminds me of one of those awkward-as-hell accord coupes, with a few bits of continental GT (not the good bits) thrown in.
Wow, that's the hottest Oldsmobile I've seen in awhile. You're right, it will definitely be a brand saver.
Huh. I wish I could be magnanimous and say "I'll wait 'til I see it in the flesh." But this thing is a pig. (Oh-kay, not as aggressively ugly as a BMW, at least).
Jag is dead. Ford killed it.
On the other hand, Cadillac survived the Cimaron, so there's hope.
I just don't see this reviving the brand. As I've said before, there are many cars whose looks grow on me over time, so I won't rule that possibility out.
The trouble with that theory is that there have to be a few on the road. I'm not sure that there will be enough XFs out there to do the trick.
Too bad we won't get the XF 2.7D...
It looks the same in these pics as the original ones, big slab sides, Buick grill, big panel gaps, and the worst headlights ever. The halloween treatment doesn't do it for me either. It looks like Ford's finance division's best crack at re-creating the XF concept. And to even have a remote chance in the market it has to be the most drop dead gorgeous production car in existance, not this.
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