Keen to shed the old and stodgy image that plagued the previous S-Type, Jaguar designers have given the XF a slick new look drawn from the lines of the X-CF concept car. They then packed it with enough with high-tech gizmos to match the car's modern lines. Some of these include LED detailed headlights, new shift-by-wire transmission control for quicker gearshifts, an optional Bowers & Wilkins designed stereo and voice-activated control for many ancillary features.
Four different versions will be on offer, a 300hp (224kW) naturally aspirated car with a 4.2L V8 that enables a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds, a new ‘SV8’ flagship with a 420hp (313kW) supercharged version of the same engine and a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds, a smaller 240hp (179kW) 3.0L V6 and a 210hp (157kW) 2.7L turbodiesel that takes 7.9 seconds to reach the ton. All the cars are electronically limited to a top-speed of 155mph (diesel maxes at 143mph) and come with a six-speed auto with steering wheel paddle shifters for the gear changes.
The XF rides on a conventional steel chassis, like its predecessor, but utilizes aluminum, composites and magnesium in places to help shed weight. It also shares the older S-Type’s 2909mm wheelbase, plus its double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension set-up. Kerb weight measures in at 1749kg for the naturally aspirated V8 and tops out at 1842kg for the supercharged car.
Click ahead for a full gallery.
Reader Comments
Mon Aug 27 2007 12:36 AM
kbohip says
I can hear people on the street as this drives by now. "Is that the new Infiniti?" I think this is a great looking car but it sure doesn't say Jaguar to me. I always liked the styling on the S-type, if only because it looked different than everything else out there.
Mon Aug 27 2007 1:05 AM
Gunnar Heinrich says
Let's pray that Jaguar's last hope handles and drives better than a BMW 5-Series. Why the #$%^ couldn't Coventry have stuck with the appealing good looks of C-XF?
For a Jag enthusiast, this is most upsetting.
Mon Aug 27 2007 4:14 AM
Anthony says
Having eagerly anticipated the launch of the XF since the launch of the C-XF Concept, I perused the gallery with stunned disbelief. How could anybody turn the sexiest front face of a car I have seen for a decade into this? Those headlights are an absolute disaster! It looks like somebody let the Bug-Eyed Impreza designer into the studio when nobody was looking. And the "Jaguar-light" grille looks more like a Hyundai than a Jag! The C-XF was close to the top of my most wanted list - the XF isn't!
Mon Aug 27 2007 4:48 AM
LR says
I agree. the front grill looks like its from a hyundai accent. poor show.
my other comments are the front bonnet is too short and the lheadlights...they should have stuck with the entire front of the C-XF. but I do like the rear.
hope they have time for a reskin even if its just the front
Mon Aug 27 2007 5:51 AM
HECTOR says
The lights look like the ones in the Chevy Montecarlo - which kind of means the XF needs an exorcism or something - but the rest of the car looks great.
Now a question: If a company like Jaguar could come up with such an elegant solution as the dial to engage the gears that sinks into and rises from the transmission tunnel.... does it seem *acceptable* to anyone that MB has column shifters (like the Crown Victoria has for example) in their really expensive cars?
Mon Aug 27 2007 7:27 AM
Craig S says
I'm stunned at the front of this car. The C-XF looked fantastic, like an agressive cat about to pounce. The first thing the front of the XF reminded me of was the crappy Chrysler Sebring. Headlight assemblies look the same. The front grill looks ugly!
The rest of the car is nice but this will seriously affect my decision to buy the XF next summer when I'm ready for a new luxury sedan.
Mon Aug 27 2007 9:15 AM
Ultra says
I am simply aghast, the rear view was acceptable if not evocative. The front is a mesh of absolute incoherency and simply put severely underwhelming. If the front resembled anything like the RD-6 I would have done away with my 2006 A6, and ready to buy.
I have always hoped and believed that this time it was different at Jaguar. I now say, let it die, let it simply die.
Mon Aug 27 2007 9:42 AM
Craig S says
Anyone know of the cars release date in North America?
Mon Aug 27 2007 10:31 AM
rickybobby says
looks like a hyundai from the front and thats a bad thing
jaguar ruined a great concept car with that horrifying front end
Mon Aug 27 2007 10:33 AM
admin says
The interior of this car is amazing, much nicer than BMW and Merc...the exterior is good as well, except for the front as we can tell by general consensus. Who the hell is approving cars that look like this? Especially when they have a concept model that looks so much better...makes no sense
Mon Aug 27 2007 3:25 PM
Ultra says
Here is Ian's defence and official explanation as to why they did not use the RD-6 fascia as many had hoped.
- As well as the rear of car - due to replace the S-Type early next year - Callum spent time explaining the front end. "We went through 30-odd models and part of that was to look for a new face. We went through one new look with our show cars, such as the RD6, and because of that we were happy to let it go." -
YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED! I hope this miserable design fails. I am utterly disgusted with this "redesign"! You could have had a true winner, yet in your ever eager zeal to be different and pretense to diverge from the old X type (which was a brilliant move) you have merged a Lexus with an Infiniti! Good luck with that you ARSE!
(Courtesy thecarconnection)
Mon Aug 27 2007 9:38 PM
Rob says
What on earth have they done ...
I saw the C-XF in person, and one of the marketing guys promised me that the production car will definately look exactly like it. Already having 2 XJ's in the past, I was eagerly anticipating this car as a possible replacement for my current XJ ...
Now ... how the heck did they ended up releasing a Hyundai, I mean no disrespect to Hyundai, but if you pluck out that Jag-badge up front, and replace it with a Hyundai's, everyone would believe it. The rear isn't exactly pleasing to look at as well. The interior looks clean, but lack the obvious "Jaguar-ness".
No wonder that company is losing money all the time.
Or maybe they are trying to bury themselves deeper into trouble.
Bottom line is, I'm pretty sure this car's release has successfully annoyed the majority of Jaguar's enthusiasts.
Tue Aug 28 2007 6:40 AM
Jas says
Gutted, this is like being promised champagne ham off the bone and getting pressed ham. Look I like it much more than the current S class styling – the retro design references were awful – a car for old (expletive) men wearing brown clothes. The production version of the XF has lost its edge, its sharpness and aggression, it looks like the managers got in and redesigned it by committee - hay fellas what about we accentuate the rounded front fender over the light…please leave it alone.
There was Jaguar at the edge of greatness – but head designer Cullum’s balls (or perhaps managements) must have shrunk just when they were almost there. OK I will never get to buy a new one, never will have that sort of money, but it would be nice to dream and aspire to having a great jaguar, and being able to see them on the road. I was even thinking of buying a Ford Focus in support of the parent company, but not no more.
I only hope enough people buy them so Jaguar gets another chance at getting it right. Incidentally – Jaguar XKR is great - well done Mr Cullum.
Tue Aug 28 2007 11:21 AM
Johann says
The current X-type is a Mondeo in disguise... And this one also looks like a (new) Mondeo in disguise albeit with a terrible Hyundai-esque nose. The Audi-esque rear is nice, on an Audi, but on this says nothing to me about it being a Jaguar.
And the interior?!?! Those vents look terrible when closed. The wood trim under the sat nav display is shorter on the driver's side than on the other… the flat slab of glove box and the acres of flatness (VERTICAL!) above it!!! And look at the terrible air-bag seals in the black dash above that. The top of the dash looks like the acres of bland flat plastic you get in a budget MPV!
The C-XF was great and avant-garde inside and out. This? Looks like a parts bin Ford mash-up done on a severely restricted budget. If this was to save Jaguar I'm afraid, on the face of i, that I feel sorry for whoever is going to buy Jaguar...
Tue Aug 28 2007 4:57 PM
Philip Norton says
I believe Jaguar has only one option. To assume this particular design option is a flaw. A complete fluke. A disaster. The solution is simple and cheap. Go back to the C-XF's front. Keep everything else and the sales will save you. In case you stubbornly stick to this horrible front...well...rest your soul, Jag!...
Tue Aug 28 2007 11:27 PM
Stephan Vieker says
I lookes around the web and nearly everyone is saying the same: what did the responsible managers with the front, espacially with the headlights. They were perfectly formed in the XF Concept. Now in serial trim they have turned to ordinary headlights you can see at any other car and at every Asian competitor. These headlights will be the best option, how Mr. Callum says. And Mrs. Bibiano Boerio said at the end of 2006: If you like the XK you will get excited, when you see the XF.
Now the headlights seems to turn a good job into a bad success. Someone in the web said: "Here’s a tip, just whack the C-XF’s headlights and grille on it. Then you might make some serious cash."
I suggest what Daimler-Chrysler has made with the C-class and let the custumers decide which front they want to buy. If necessary take a extra cash for the "Beauty-Front".
This way could be a garant for the so needed success.
Wed Aug 29 2007 1:21 AM
Jas says
OK. may be I am pre judging the design, after all the orginal C-FX took a few days to settle in for me. I would like to see it in the flesh, I say that as the Volvo S60 in the flesh is great, I have never seen a photo that does it justice. The other memory i have is the porsche boxter concept car, and I felt the same disappointment with their production version, however in the end it was a great.
Comparisions with other cars just bollocks - its quiet a diffrrent look and with so many cars you can always make comparisions between volumes, proportions and design details. I don't want to here that, lets focus on the design itself and its merits..
Tue Sep 4 2007 2:39 AM
Paul H says
Cant understand the negative comments above, this car looks sensational. So it looks like an Aston from some angles, what the hell is the problem with that! European commentators, who usually have a far greater understanding of style than our colonial cousins have given the car a resounding thumbs up. It is in a different league to the bland offerings from Mercedes and BMW. With XK power trains and suspension it should be a cracking drive as well.
Tue Sep 4 2007 3:48 PM
daz says
As the owner of a XK8 I can understand the draw of Jags racing heritage to the potential purchaser of any Jag. I know it was probably really hard work and loads of money to arrive at this final production model, but it has no redeeming features. It doesn't look like a Jag and thats the consistent thing has has drawn everyone to date. It really could be anything like a lexus or some BMW thingy. I think it will become dated very quick and is no way a classic for any period of time in this dimension. Sorry - but I will stick with second hand Jags that have design distinction and potency.
Fri May 2 2008 12:57 PM
Jay says
Headlights, Headlights, Headlights, Headlights, Headlights, Headlights, Headlights!
WHAT HAPPENED?
This car is still quite beautiful but they RUINED the headlights of the show car! They were perfect!
Those look like they're from a Hyundai!
What a mistake.
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