Posted on Sunday 2 March 2008
If Jaguar is serious about pitting its XF saloon against the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it will have to expand its lineup beyond the current handful of models. Jaguar currently has two gaping holes in its XF range, an entry-level model to rival the likes of the 2.0L diesel BMW 5-series and Audi A6, as well as a performance flagship to compete with the likes of the RS6, E63 and M5.
Officials are yet to greenlight the launch of a new base model but we do know there’s a range-topping XFR in the works. The new model has been caught by spy photographers testing in Germany and when it reaches showrooms early next year expect to see a brand new supercharged 5.0L V8 engine nestled under the hood. Power levels should be around the 500hp mark and this same engine will also make its way into the new Range Rover Sport from Land Rover as well as a future XKR-R.
Telltale signs that this is no ordinary model are a set of quad exhaust pipes, a discreet bootlid spoiler, and bigger air intakes on the front bumper. The car also sits lower thanks to a firmer suspension set-up and wider tires are housed within slightly flared fenders. Head over to AutoExpress to see the images in full or check out our previous story on the XKR-R for more details about Jaguar’s new performance line.
The trouble is that Jaguar ought not to be trying to compete with BMW and Benz on their turf. Jaguar should put emphasized focus on being a niche brand for a niche clientèle and skip the mass-market diesel.
gunnar; they tried being niche for the last 20 years. it hasnt suited them well. no one wants really nice cars that are so retro only your grand father can remember seeing cars like that.
the problem is that they dont have aggressive enough styling. that concept was stunning and theyve just dropped the ball.
If they’d only fix the headlights, it would be a great looking car…
This car is aweful. A complete opposite to the aggressive lines from the concept that could very well put Jaguar out there into mainstream and literally stolen sales from the 5 series and E class without much effort. But they went and redesigned it and made it look like a bloody volvo….now nothing against Volvos in fact i would love a V40 T5 but the point im trying to make is that Jaguar is a luxury brand and should be aiming for the executive dollar. this car is just to plain jane and not unlike Chris said, “they dropped the ball”, “they dropped a whole bag of balls”…
They not only dropped the ball, but also they just stood there getting bowled for a 0. All this fuss about the S-Type replacement when in fact when seen from above the S-Type lines still shine through. Not that I´m against the S, but in fact I love the S, it´s just that the XF is a silly muck up of things.