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Jaguar Review:
The XF breathes new life into Jaguar. With Jaguar's all-new XF sedan it
offers classic luxury with modern style. Its simple, understated
elegance on the outside, contrasts with extravagance in the cabin.
All-new sedan puts a
modern twist on Jag's tradition. The Jaguar XF has one of the most
finely crafted interiors in the world. It also offers a lot of drama
when the car starts up, with electric motors that open up the vent
covers and a rotary gear shift knob that rises up from the center
console.
Climb into an XJ, and
it's like you're sitting in an old English gentleman's club, complete
with tufted leather and acres of wood paneling. Jaguar has always relied
on nostalgia. All it lacks is a cigar, a smoking jacket and a Labrador.
But this Jag, the
all-new XF, isn't like that at all. It's not a British pub, or the Globe
Theatre, or even Westminster Cathedral. No, the XF is an exclusive
London nightclub that's the hottest place to be, with flashing lights
and throbbing electronica. It's downright cool.
It's a strange turn for
Jaguar, but also a positive one, a change you'll notice from the first
time you set your eyes on its sensuous body. It definitely looks like a
Jag should, with muscular haunches and a snarling mouth, but it's also
not sopping in a puddle of retro like some other Jaguar designs. It
actually looks modern.
The styling doesn't
scream for attention. It's more of a tasteful, subtle kind of elegance
that you appreciate more as you look at it, especially the back end. The
front is pretty enough, with a sculpted hood and slightly aggressive
flares, but the rear is absolutely stunning.
And if you think the
body is pretty, just wait 'til you get inside.
The XF has, hands down,
the very best, most opulent interior in its class. Audi has been known
for making the most perfectly crafted luxury car interiors in recent
years, but this new Jaguar leaps ahead.
First of all, there's
fine leather everywhere, on the doors, on the seats, on trim pieces, and
even covering the entire dashboard. It's all carefully stitched and
pulled taut for a smooth, finely tailored look. It's like driving a
Louis Vuitton handbag.
But beyond that, the
level of precision is simply astounding. Where Audi would outline the
wood trim with almost microscopic strips of chrome, Jaguar does the same
thing but adds a little light-up strip beside it. It's so small you
don't even notice it in the daytime, but at night it lights up like a
Star Trek prop. It's remarkable.
The cabin also uses
quite a bit of theater. The engine start button lights up like a
heartbeat when you get in the car. Then the air conditioning vents motor
open, and a rotary gear selector lifts up from the center console for a
dramatic start. It's like the car is coming alive.
You can also find drama
under the hood. With a 4.2-liter V8 engine that makes 300 horsepower,
the XF has the kind of smooth, freight-train power you expect in a great
luxury car.
The XF feels in many
ways like a big, heavy car, but once the engine revs up, it pushes the
car around like it's a featherweight. It's a car that transitions
exceptionally well between two extremes of driving: zippy and responsive
when you're pushing it, and perfectly buttery when you prefer gentle
cruising.
Even the price isn't
bad. It replaces the worn-out S-Type in Jaguar's lineup, so it starts
around $50,000, or $15,000 less than the flagship XJ. In some ways,
though, the XF seems like a far better car than the XJ, making it look
like a total bargain in comparison.
What was tested?
The 2009 Jaguar XF Premium Luxury with a base price of $55,200. Options
on the test car: Sound system upgrade $1,875, advanced vision pack
$1,000. Total MSRP price as tested including the $310 destination
charge: $58,385.
Why avoid it?
Jaguar has a history of poor resale value.
Why buy it? It's
one of the world's truly great luxury cars, in many ways even better
than the Jaguar XJ flagship. It drives perfectly, looks beautiful and
offers lots of drama in the cabin.
Bottom Line: The
bottom line is this: Any car can have a luxury badge and luxury
features. But only the very greatest cars offer a true, unforgettable,
jaw-dropping luxury experience when you get inside. This Jaguar XF is
one of those few, very few, special cars.
By Derek Price ©
AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
Byline: Jaguar Review provided by Tony
Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
Jaguar Home Page
Column Name: The XF
breathes new life into Jaguar
Topic: The 2009 Jaguar
XF Premium Luxury
Word Count: 831
Photo Caption: The
2009 Jaguar XF Premium Luxury
Photo Credits: Jaguar
XF Internet Media
Series #: 2009 - 19
Download
the Microsoft Word version here:
2009 Jaguar XF
Download the Original Image File here:
2009 Jaguar XF
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