Jaguar: A timeless design if ever there was one

The XF was developed at the company’s Whitley design and development HQ in Birmingham under the codename X250 and no, this was not revealed in the Spy Cables. Being an ex-policeman, I can confirm that I do have other sources also.

Jaguar launched the XF at Frankfurt in 2007 – its most notable difference from the previous C-XF, being the front end. In the interior the air-conditioning vents were flush-fitted in the dash, only opening when the engine is started. Yes, I was looking for Scotty when I started the car – all this cloak and dagger stuff is making me a little nervous. Although real wood veneers finishing are available, aluminium and carbon fibre is now also available. And on this point – the reflections off the aluminium insert surrounding the gear knob, is, in my mind a no-no – wood all the way for me.

The XF was facelifted in 2011 with rear-end styling changes relating to the C-XF, new engines, eight-speed gearboxes to name but a few. In 2009 Jaguar launched the XF Supercharged model with a 5.0-litre 346kW engine and active differential control. The XF Sportbrake followed in 2012 and the XFR-S in 2013.

The Jaguar’s body was developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) before the car saw the wind tunnel. The basic substructure was carried over from the S-Type but has been stretched to meet crash safety requirements. Initially launched with a six-speed automatic only gearbox, the latest models come with a super-smooth eight-speed with a rotary dial which rises from the centre console.

Short and sweet
To make a long story short – fact is, that if I had to choose between the XF and the BWW M5 (its main rival) I would choose the Jag. It guess it suits my rather aristocratic nose better?

The energy of it
Good. That said – for the purpose of this report I drove the 2.2-litre diesel kitted with the Prem package. The diesel produces 140kW and 450Nm@2000r/min. Its engine, at pull off, is not as quiet as I was expecting but then it is quiet enough to not disturb your equilibrium. I did encounter some turbo lag (when in haste, you waste). But when you just allow the engine to do its work, it is not noticeable.

The Jaguar’s design is, not unlike that of the Land Rover Defender, totally timeless – beautiful, intense, stylish, captivating and powerful. The headlight clusters with its daylight running lights, silver ring around the grill and chrome strips in the corners beneath the bumper, highlight its form and shape. The shoulder line and bold wheel arches oozes intense power and prowess and the rear end – well, simple uncomplicated and elegant.

Living space
The interior is spacious and superbly furnished, no in-your- face stuff/lights/fittings to destroy the elegant energy of the car. It’s like – you can travel fast, but do everything slowly and quietly. It will also be quite easy to become a sound slave – park the Jag in the garage and activate some classic music through the Meridian 280watt sound system and heaven here I come. The seven-inch colour touch screen in the centre console provides multifunction control of audio, climate and navigation.

And of course, whether you go beyond the limit or do a Miss Daisy, adaptive cruise control, EBA and all the other active and passive safety systems come standard to assist with your sometimes (hopefully) inappropriate itches – I think the minister of finance called it “sin tax”.

Although the XF comes with a rather large luggage space – the opening will surely present some challenges when you load it. And then fuel consumption – my best was 8,8litres/100km – on the other side of that – it was 10,9litres/100km. I am impressed!

Go drive a Jag!

Photos: Matthys Ferreira – taken at the Protea Hotel near Hazyview and www.netcarshow.com