First look at the new Jaguar XF

One of the most anticipated models in Jaguar’s history makes its public debut today. After a frenzied response to the recent C-XF concept car unveiled at the start of the year, the public can now catch its first glimpse of the new Jaguar XF luxury four-door sports saloon. Packed with nifty technology and kitted out as a proper luxury saloon, the question remains – will this be the start of a new era for the Ford-owned Jaguar brand, or has the production car’s styling been neutered too much from the C-XF concept to tempt buyers?

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson recently commented that if the Jaguar XF rolled off the production line looking like the C-XF concept car, “I’ll saw my leg off and beat myself to death with it.” Well, after the much-abused press embargo on the XF lifted today, it seems Clarkson can breathe a sigh of relief. The XF’s styling has been subtly softened, notably around the bonnet and headlights, into a more conservative look for the production model.

Engines

The XF will be available from launch with a range of four engines, all featuring Jaguar's proven six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted 'paddles' for manual gear selection (Jaguar Sequential Shift):

• 2.7-litre V6 diesel: 0-100kph in 8.2 secs and a top speed of 229 kph;
• 3.0-litre V6 petrol: 0-100kph in 8.3 secs and a top speed of 237kph;
• 4.2 n/a V8 petrol: 0-100kph in 6.5 secs and a top speed electronically limited to 250kph;
• 4.2 s/c V8 petrol: 0-100kph in 5.4 secs and a top speed electronically limited to 250kph.

Driver Aids and Safety Features

The XF includes a vast array of driver safety aids including Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control. And, for the first time in a Jaguar, Understeer Control Logic which decelerates the car and helps to restore grip to the front wheels when required.

In a first for a Jaguar saloon, the XF has the marque’s new Pedestrian Contact Sensing System, which mitigates pedestrian injury by firing actuators that deploy the bonnet, resulting in a cushioned space between the bonnet and engine hardpoints.

Other driver assistance features include a Blind Spot Monitor, Front and Rear Parking Aids, Rear Camera Parking Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Speed Limiter and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Interior

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