Jaguar XF Thread (pics & info)

[Centurion]

Ford has failed me. I'm done defending this car, you can all bash it how much you like. Jaguar has now officially lost me as a fan.

[Merc1]

Jaguar XF R: the scoop

Only weeks after the regular XF was unveiled at this autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show, CAR Online has caught the first pictures of the R version. Forget the scoop images of the strange S-type/XF mule that have been circulating on the worldwide web - this one is the actual car.

Our sources tell us it uses the same supercharged 4.2-litre V8 as the cooking XF, but tuned to a higher state of athleticism. Breathing more deeply with higher boost pressures, this one is said to put out closer to 500bhp. Right on BMW M5 money, then.

What makes you think this is the R version?

This prototype has various telltale signs suggesting this is the musclebound R. Every version seen so far has twin tailpipe exhausts, whereas this model sports quad pipes at the rear; the ride height is noticeably lower; the mesh grille is menacingly blackened; and those huge five-spoke alloys are a) vast (every XF was designed to wear 20in rims, claims design boss Ian Callum) and b) wrapped around very serious-looking ventilated discs.

Perhaps most telling of all was the rather panicked voice in Coventry when we asked Jag's press handlers about the new spy photos that have just landed in our intray. 'No comment' was order of the day.

Our man on the ground who took the photos near Jag's engineering HQ is certain it's the R, too. 'It didn't sound like any other XF I've photographed in the past year,' he told us. The balance of evidence makes us agree.

So when can we buy the new XF R?

Humdrum 2.7 V6 diesel and petrol V6 and V8 models don't go on sale until March 2008, so you're looking at a somewhat longer wait for the high-performance version. We reckon the hot one will be shown at a motor show in late 2008, with sales kicking off in early '09. It should be one of the fastest four-doors on sale, with pace to challenge the Merc E63, Audi RS6 and BMW M5.

All this is dependent on the sale of Jaguar, of course. We're still waiting to see which suitor eventually buys the Coventry firm. But that's not stopping the engineers honing this, the most eagerly anticipated sports saloon to wear the leaping cat badge for years.

The XF's styling has split opinion like few other Jags (people either love it or hate it on CAR Online), but we're expecting it to be a sharp drive. If there was one thing that didn't need fixing on the S-type with which it shares mechanicals, it was the poised chassis and excellent drivetrain. Let's hope they don't lose anything in translation.


Jaguar XF R - Secret New Cars - Carmagazine.co.uk


M

[Monster]

I don't know the reason why, but the XF looks so much better on the road.

[vabboud]

top gear has already hailed it as the all conquering executive sedan, they siad it has best chassis, best ride, best drive and best interior, with an all encompassing brittish attitude, and all that without even driving it
God this must be the new best car in the world!

[NarutoRamen]

^^Saying Top Gear is highly biased towards anything from Britain would be an understatement of exponential proportions.

[vabboud]

common naruto! do u believe what you are saying?
top gear biased towards crappy brittish cars? God in Heaven, what are you smoking give me some!

[Merc1]

Press Release:

JAGUAR’s FIRST XF ROLLS OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE

Castle Bromwich, West Midlands, 26 November 2007 – Today marked the beginning of an exciting new era for Jaguar Cars as the first Jaguar XF rolled off the production line at the company’s Castle Bromwich plant.

The XF, which is available to order now, has already been heralded by some of the UK’s most influential motoring publications for its stunning new design language, winning Autocar magazine’s ‘Design of the Year’ award and the ‘Interior of the Year Award 2007′ from CAR magazine.

The first production car, a Vapour Grey 4.2 litre SV8 has been donated to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust collection and will go on display alongside some of Jaguar’s most prestigious and memorable vehicles ranging from the oldest surviving Daimler, the 1897 Grafton Phaeton to the stunning 1974 E-Type – the last ever built.

More than 500 employees from the plant gathered to watch Sir William Lyons’ grandson, Michael Quinn, drive the car off the end of the Trim and Final production line. He said: “My Grandfather would have been immensely proud today. The new XF is a car that truly represents the core values which have lain at the heart of this great brand since its foundation in 1922 and I am thrilled to have been asked here today to witness this historic event from the best seat in the house!”

Jaguar has invested significantly in the new facility at the Castle Bromwich plant to ensure that the new XF is built to even higher standards than the S-TYPE – a car that was widely recognised for its excellent build quality and performance. Commenting on the introduction of this new model, Richard Else, Operations Director at Castle Bromwich, said: “Today is a significant milestone for Jaguar and a very proud moment for the Castle Bromwich team who have worked tirelessly to ensure this car delivers the highest levels of quality and refinement customers have come to expect from Jaguar.”

The Jaguar XF will be exported from Castle Bromwich to 66 markets worldwide with the first UK customers taking delivery of their cars in March next year. The range starts with the Luxury 2.7 litre diesel at £33,900 rising to £54,900 for the 4.2 litre Supercharged ‘SV8′.

Hooray! First Jaguar XF rolls of the production line

M

[Merc1]

Better pics of the first XF off the line:







First Jaguar XF Rolls Off Production Line

M

[GTA8.5]

I have examined the design aspects of this car, for the love of God I just can`t swallow it. Something about the design is very downscaled, like it could fit the newer Mazda designs. The Lexus designers have managed to pull off a more upscale design with the GS models than this letdown!

It simply lacks the power-status symbol of Jaguar! my god! what were the designers thinking!! the design is just laughable!

no.. I wasn`t too excited about the concept but the production version sucks a lot!!

[Osnabrueck]

After seeing this car in person at the LA auto show my hopes for the XF are somewhat scaled-down. This is taking the new efforts by Lincoln and Cadillac into consideration - equally hungry brands which are beginning to fire back with credible product.

My problem - like the XK - lies in the headlights. They're obtuse. I thought this would sort itself out when seen in person, but that wasn't the case. In real life, they still look awkward and ill-considered. Many aspects of the car are impressive, but it's not always singing with the same cultured voice, so I'm not convinced.

I think, unfortunately, this will be a hot seller for only one year. Beyond that, there's just not the level of maturity to catapult this car into the ranks of long-distance runners like the 5er or E-Klasse... or even Lexus GS for that matter.

Just two years from now, the field will be dense with competition in this area. There will be a new Cadillac STS, the new Lincoln MKS, the new E-Klasse and a new A6 and 5er over the horizon. When you take that into consideration, the long-term prospects for the XF look rather bleek.