2008 Jaguar XF: Don’t Judge It On Looks Alone

The Jaguar XF

From the right angle, (or wrong depending on your perspective), Jaguar designs have as of late, resembled something out of the Buick or Oldsmobile styling book.  But since performance has a slight edge over style for importance in MY book, the XF can be judged as a major success for Jaguar which is now owned by Indian automaker Tata Motors.  Plus, if the XF continues to evolve into the machine that is being shown as a prototype, it’s cover will soon more than match up to it’s content.

Jaguar XF: Not so great to look at from the front

Nearly 30% of Jaguar sales are because of the XF, which is produced at almost 1,000 vehicles a week.  That’s great news for a company that was jettisoned by Ford for losing money not that long ago.  Its new Indian owners have promised to maintain and develop all the core brand values of the famous British company. And it has promised substantial investment to allow Jaguar to grow and prosper against its fiercest German premier rivals, Mercedes, BMW and Audi.

Jaguar V8 power

There are two different versions of the XF, one with the normally aspirated Jaguar V8 and one with the supercharged version of the same power plant. In normally aspirated form, the DOHC 4.2-liter V8 develops 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, and it works through a six-speed automatic transmission that Jaguar claims gets you to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and then does the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds.  Once the V8 is fitted with a Roots-type supercharger, power jumps to 420 hp at 6,250 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm, and Jaguar says it takes the car to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and though the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds.  The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. 

Jaguar XF: Nicer angle

The XF sits on a long 114.5-inch wheelbase, and the track measures 61.4 inches in front and a significantly wider 63.2 inches in the rear.  At 195.3 inches long, 80.8 inches wide and 57.5 inches tall, the XF is a little larger than an Audi A6. The use of a wide range of high-strength steels helps deliver a very rigid body shell, and the suspension pieces come from the XK.

Future look of the XF? I hope so.

Jaguar Interior: dial shift mechanism

The interior is what you would expect from Jag-u-war (three syllables out of a Brits mouth).  Leather, aluminum and more wood in a Jaguar than in any previous model cater to the refinements of the typical Jaguar buyer.  The gear shifter is an odd knob mechanism that ascends from the center console when the car is turned on.  (Oh the British love their gadgetry)

In terms of pricing, the XF comes in three trim levels: the $49,975 XF Luxury, the $55,975 XF Premium Luxury and the fully equipped $62,975 Supercharged.

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