Th e XF replaces the somewhat staid s-Type in electronic seat adjustment and the front passenger 6-speed automatic transmission. Rotating the
revolutionary fashion, but remains accessible to has no less than 12 ways to fi nd a comfortable selector is a strange mix of tactile pleasure and
the Company executives of this world, with prices seating position; the other models in the range alien action but you soon get used to it and there
starting at a very businesslike, £33,900 for the 2.7 have a minimum of 8-way adjustment. Th is is just are selector paddles behind the steering wheel,
V6, Diesel Luxury and the 3.0-litre V6 Luxury. one example of Jaguar’s love of electronic gadgetry, if preferred. Th ere is also a Jaguar DriveControl
i was lucky enough to test the top-of-the-range, which declares itself fully in the XF, although it isn’t with diff erent settings for Dynamic and Winter
supercharged, 4.2-litre V8, which bears a price always evident. driving, depending upon the model.
tag of £54,900 and is worth every penny. Th e sV8 Th is is where the so-called ‘surprise and delight’ Th e bluetooth telephony system with
is a standalone vehicle and trim level, the others experience comes in. First of all, there’s the smart hands-free and voice control, the audio controls
being the Luxury and Premium Luxury but, and entry and start key, the variety that stays in your for the optional and award winning, bowers
here’s that word again, it is businesslike luxury. To pocket, where its mere presence opens doors. & Wilkins surround sound system, including
my mind, the XF is not a car in which you would On entry to the Jaguar, there is not much to see. attached iPods, are all controlled via the central,
expect to fi nd children. Although perfectly capable Th e leather fascia top is of a simple design with a touch screen, while usb or memory sticks are
of accommodating off spring on the school run, the pronounced but concise instrument nacelle housing also accommodated within the XF. As well as
sV8 is far too ‘posh’ for grubby little fi ngers. white-faced dials, separated by a small information the above functions and the satellite navigation
Although the XF is a four-door saloon, it system, the screen
has more in common with a coupe. Forget the provides a display
traditional layout of bonnet, cabin, and boot; the XF
“...there’s the smart entry and
for the rear parking
is sleek and slippery. Focus on the angled, almost camera, where fi tted.
chamfered shape of the front end, which has a hint
start key, the variety that
Th e goodies are
of Aston Martin. Th e sporty, chromed, mesh grille not confi ned to the
dominates over the lower air intake, which also has
stays in your pocket, where its
top-notch sV8; the
its share of chrome in the form of propeller-like Luxury specifi cation
blades. Th e bonnet contours are pure Jaguar and will includes the Drive
make the traditionalists feel at home.
mere presence opens doors.”
selector, navigation
Th e side view is where the coupe eff ect is most via the touch-screen,
visible. Th e shallow windows are surrounded by screen. bluetooth, an integrated 6CD autochanger, rear
aluminium brightwork and taper to form small, below this is a deep, brushed metallic panel that parking sensors, electric/heated mirrors, 17-inch
rounded quarter-lights at the rear. in case there is runs the full width of the car, punctuated only by alloys, automatic climate control and cruise
any doubt, the Jaguar name is embossed on a bar the multi-functional steering column and a 7-inch control with Automatic speed Limiter.
across the side ‘power vents’, just behind the front information screen. Th e tunnel between the driver Th e next step up adds lumbar support, 18-inch
wheels, and on a ‘signature blade’ at the back, as well and front passenger contains storage compartments alloys, Jaguar’s 320W Premium sound system,
as the badge on the front. topped off with real wood veneer, next to which is a driver’s seat memory and heated windscreen.
Th e rear end of the XF has more than a hint of fl at control panel, on the driver’s side. Th e sV8 has the heated/cooled seats, 20-inch
‘euro’ styling. it looks wide with muscular haunches it is all very discrete and stylish, however, take alloys, bi-xenon headlamps with powerwash
and a Venturi style diff user, which shows off the a closer look and it is just a bit too tidy; the gear and the excellent Computer Active Technology
twin, chrome tailpipes to perfection. selector and parking brake are missing and so are suspension or CATs, amongst other things. Th e
As for the interior, despite the coupe styling, the face-level air vents. but when the pulsating, red, test car also had a few of the optional extras –
there is plenty of headroom in the rear of the cabin, ‘start’ button is pressed, the air vents magically rotate apart from the audio system there was a DAb
which easily seats three adults in comfort. Th e seats into view and a puck-like, aluminium dial rises out radio, a multi-media TV system, a blind-spot
are leather-clad; non-perforated bond Grain for of the tunnel control panel, ahead of the electronic monitor, electric, glass sunroof, heated steering
the Luxury trim and soft Grain for the Premium parking brake, presenting itself as the Jaguar Drive wheel, electric rear sunblind and the rear camera
Luxury and sV8. Th e leather also covers the fascia selector. in the list of electronic systems a mention parking aid. so there are plenty of ways to spend
and door-top rolls and, where the XF is fi tted with should also be given to Jaguarsense; a touch or your money.
the heated/cooling facility, the seats covers are proximity-sensing control for the glovebox and before i move on to the power units, i should
perforated. overhead lights. surprise and delight, indeed. make mention of the enormous boot, which
Th e driver of the sV8 has the benefi t of 16-way, Th e central dial is connected to the non-optional has a capacity of between 500- and 540-litres
64 www.waterfrontmagazines.co.uk
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72