![[ Auto Express ]](http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/images/ae_website_logo.gif){kind=logo}
Auto Express Car Reviews
Jaguar C-XF
Jaguar's new S-Type!
The Big Cat is taking a dramatic leap forward - and Auto Express has exclusive official pictures to prove it
The C-XF is painted a unique body colour called Metashine Silver. It accentuates its dramatic features, such as the raised bonnet scoop
By Sam Hardy
03rd January 2007
Meet the new S-Type - and the face of the future of Jaguar. Set to make its worldwide debut at next week's Detroit Motor Show, the newcomer, badged C-XF, reveals the exciting replacement for the current S-Type, and is a landmark for the firm's new design direction.
Marking a sea change for the Coventry-based firm's traditional look, the new model will reach Jaguar showrooms in early 2008, badged the XF.
Described as a sports saloon, it is charged with tempting buyers of executive heavyweights such as Audi's A6, BMW's 5-Series and Mercedes' E-Class, and relaunching the Jaguar brand to a new audience at the same time.
Conceived against the background of a troubling financial 2006, it's vital that the new car succeeds. The future looks tough, so the XF must also reaffirm Jaguar's status as a maker of some of the world's most beautiful sporting saloons. Packed full of innovative features, including hidden door handles and touch-screen interior displays, it is poised to do exactly that.
But the styling will cause the biggest stir, and as you can see from these first official pictures, the C-XF - the 'C' denoting the show machine's concept status - is unlike any Jaguar of the past. The firm says it's "a precursor to cars that will become recognised for their groundbreaking exterior looks", and there's no doubt designer Ian Callum - the man also responsible for the new XK - has created a machine which has its eyes on the future.
At the front is the firm's centrepiece - a new recessed grille that's finished off in black chrome. Styled like a fighter jet air intake, it sets the tone for the rest of the XF's shape, with all of the car's lines running backwards from it.
Sitting either side of the grille are striking headlights which are an evolution of the classic twin-lamp Jaguar look. Narrow and angular with blue cat-like 'irises', they combine with the low nose to give a sporty and aggressive front. That's carried on by a sculpted splitter, raised bonnet bulge and neat air intakes.
Flowing from the grille are shoulder lines that run all the way to the rear of the car, where they meet the high tail. Small glass areas and vast 21-inch polished aluminium wheels further help to create a rakish yet chunky profile. Viewed from the back, it's clear that the haunches have been stretched to allow for a widened rear track.
And at the tail, deep venturi tunnels, white ceramic exhaust tips, red LED lamps and an aluminium Jaguar badge complete the look. It's one that Callum admits is a dramatic departure from the S-Type, but is vital to the firm's future: "Great Jaguars turn heads," he explained. "They make people stop, pay attention and evoke instant desire. That's what the C-XF does, and that's what the next generation of Jaguars will do."
The radical feel continues when you attempt to get in the XF, thanks to a new feature called JaguarSense. Sensors react to the sweep of a hand as it passes over the doors, instantly popping them open. Once activated, previously hidden interior handles also appear, thanks to electric motors.
Inside, the cabin boasts four individual leather bucket seats. Splitting the chairs down the middle is a high transmission tunnel, and with a low seating position, the C-XF cocoons its occupants. The dashboard is a work of art, with a bold aluminium facia that sweeps around the cabin.
Carbon fibre-pattern leather covers the top part of the dashboard and scorched Poplar wood is used on the transmission tunnel, on which a bright red 'power' button pulses like a beating heart when the engine is started. This activation sees the aluminium rings that surround the gearshift selector drop down, leaving the rotary dial exposed. When the engine fires, a beam of blue light radiates from the centre console and works its way around the car, meeting behind the rear seats.
At the same time, a panel mounted in the headlining projects a blue glow down into the cabin, and is joined by a burst of blue light from the front grille. That visual excitement is continued by a clever 'infotainment' screen, which is hidden in the centre console. It slides out when the driver moves his hand towards it, and is capable of showing two individual images, allowing the driver to view sat-nav instructions while the passenger watches a DVD movie.
These items aren't present simply for the sake of it. "Every Jaguar interior should have a sense of fun," says Callum, "but we also recognise that technology should only be there when you want to use it. Yes, there is a sense of theatre about the C-XF's innovations, but there is also a simplicity that brings order and structure to every system."
Continuing that theme are three large aeroplane-inspired dials, which dominate the instrument display. In the centre is a rev counter with neat black-on-white numbering.
When 'Dynamic' mode is selected on the transmission tunnel - which makes the car sportier to drive - this dial moves forwards, increasing its visibility. Finishing off the cabin is a bespoke stereo created by British audio firm Bowers & Wilkins, which features honeycomb speaker panels mounted in the rear parcel shelf.
An equally impressive sound comes from under the bonnet, and its source is Jaguar's 420bhp 4.2-litre supercharged V8. The unit is the same one that appears in the flagship XKR Coupé, and it's hooked up to an identical six-speed automatic transmission. It also features sequential shifting, thanks to a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Performance is spectacular, with Jaguar claiming that the C-XF would be able to hit 180mph if the car was not electronically limited to 155mph.
As with the exterior and interior, attention to detail is exemplary in the engine bay, with a special carbon fibre wiring loom being one of the highlights. "It's a dream," says Jaguar head of advanced design, Julian Thomson.
"Now every wire is housed within a visually stunning harness that looks as if it's literally strapping the engine down, trying to hold all of its power in place." When the production version of the XF finally reaches showrooms next year, it will use a development of the current S-Type's rear-wheel-drive platform. And although the newcomer's overall dimensions will remain broadly the same, a longer wheelbase, combined with wider front and rear tracks, means there will be an improvement in interior space.
The road car is due to be officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and there will be only a few visual changes from this concept. Smaller wheels and the removal of details such as the chrome front splitter and rear venturi tunnels are likely.
When the wraps come off the C-XF at Detroit, it will certainly cause a big stir, but Callum says that the timing is right. "This is the most dynamic and modern four-door saloon that Jaguar has ever created, and is a design showcase heralding the next generations of our sports saloon models," he says. "At Jaguar, it's time for change with our four-doors, and our customers are ready for that."
Sales of the XF begin in spring 2008, with entry-level 3.0-litre petrol, 2.7 twin-turbodiesel and 300bhp 4.2 V8 engines, plus a supercharged range-topper. Prices will start at just under £30,000.
 | |
| The future looks tough, so the XF must also reaffirm Jaguar's status as a maker of some of the world's most beautiful sporting saloons | |
 |
Marking a sea change for the Coventry-based firm's traditional look, the new model will reach Jaguar showrooms in early 2008, badged the XF.
Described as a sports saloon, it is charged with tempting buyers of executive heavyweights such as Audi's A6, BMW's 5-Series and Mercedes' E-Class, and relaunching the Jaguar brand to a new audience at the same time.
Conceived against the background of a troubling financial 2006, it's vital that the new car succeeds. The future looks tough, so the XF must also reaffirm Jaguar's status as a maker of some of the world's most beautiful sporting saloons. Packed full of innovative features, including hidden door handles and touch-screen interior displays, it is poised to do exactly that.
But the styling will cause the biggest stir, and as you can see from these first official pictures, the C-XF - the 'C' denoting the show machine's concept status - is unlike any Jaguar of the past. The firm says it's "a precursor to cars that will become recognised for their groundbreaking exterior looks", and there's no doubt designer Ian Callum - the man also responsible for the new XK - has created a machine which has its eyes on the future.
At the front is the firm's centrepiece - a new recessed grille that's finished off in black chrome. Styled like a fighter jet air intake, it sets the tone for the rest of the XF's shape, with all of the car's lines running backwards from it.
Sitting either side of the grille are striking headlights which are an evolution of the classic twin-lamp Jaguar look. Narrow and angular with blue cat-like 'irises', they combine with the low nose to give a sporty and aggressive front. That's carried on by a sculpted splitter, raised bonnet bulge and neat air intakes.
Flowing from the grille are shoulder lines that run all the way to the rear of the car, where they meet the high tail. Small glass areas and vast 21-inch polished aluminium wheels further help to create a rakish yet chunky profile. Viewed from the back, it's clear that the haunches have been stretched to allow for a widened rear track.
And at the tail, deep venturi tunnels, white ceramic exhaust tips, red LED lamps and an aluminium Jaguar badge complete the look. It's one that Callum admits is a dramatic departure from the S-Type, but is vital to the firm's future: "Great Jaguars turn heads," he explained. "They make people stop, pay attention and evoke instant desire. That's what the C-XF does, and that's what the next generation of Jaguars will do."
The radical feel continues when you attempt to get in the XF, thanks to a new feature called JaguarSense. Sensors react to the sweep of a hand as it passes over the doors, instantly popping them open. Once activated, previously hidden interior handles also appear, thanks to electric motors.
Inside, the cabin boasts four individual leather bucket seats. Splitting the chairs down the middle is a high transmission tunnel, and with a low seating position, the C-XF cocoons its occupants. The dashboard is a work of art, with a bold aluminium facia that sweeps around the cabin.
Carbon fibre-pattern leather covers the top part of the dashboard and scorched Poplar wood is used on the transmission tunnel, on which a bright red 'power' button pulses like a beating heart when the engine is started. This activation sees the aluminium rings that surround the gearshift selector drop down, leaving the rotary dial exposed. When the engine fires, a beam of blue light radiates from the centre console and works its way around the car, meeting behind the rear seats.
At the same time, a panel mounted in the headlining projects a blue glow down into the cabin, and is joined by a burst of blue light from the front grille. That visual excitement is continued by a clever 'infotainment' screen, which is hidden in the centre console. It slides out when the driver moves his hand towards it, and is capable of showing two individual images, allowing the driver to view sat-nav instructions while the passenger watches a DVD movie.
These items aren't present simply for the sake of it. "Every Jaguar interior should have a sense of fun," says Callum, "but we also recognise that technology should only be there when you want to use it. Yes, there is a sense of theatre about the C-XF's innovations, but there is also a simplicity that brings order and structure to every system."
Continuing that theme are three large aeroplane-inspired dials, which dominate the instrument display. In the centre is a rev counter with neat black-on-white numbering.
When 'Dynamic' mode is selected on the transmission tunnel - which makes the car sportier to drive - this dial moves forwards, increasing its visibility. Finishing off the cabin is a bespoke stereo created by British audio firm Bowers & Wilkins, which features honeycomb speaker panels mounted in the rear parcel shelf.
An equally impressive sound comes from under the bonnet, and its source is Jaguar's 420bhp 4.2-litre supercharged V8. The unit is the same one that appears in the flagship XKR Coupé, and it's hooked up to an identical six-speed automatic transmission. It also features sequential shifting, thanks to a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Performance is spectacular, with Jaguar claiming that the C-XF would be able to hit 180mph if the car was not electronically limited to 155mph.
As with the exterior and interior, attention to detail is exemplary in the engine bay, with a special carbon fibre wiring loom being one of the highlights. "It's a dream," says Jaguar head of advanced design, Julian Thomson.
"Now every wire is housed within a visually stunning harness that looks as if it's literally strapping the engine down, trying to hold all of its power in place." When the production version of the XF finally reaches showrooms next year, it will use a development of the current S-Type's rear-wheel-drive platform. And although the newcomer's overall dimensions will remain broadly the same, a longer wheelbase, combined with wider front and rear tracks, means there will be an improvement in interior space.
The road car is due to be officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and there will be only a few visual changes from this concept. Smaller wheels and the removal of details such as the chrome front splitter and rear venturi tunnels are likely.
When the wraps come off the C-XF at Detroit, it will certainly cause a big stir, but Callum says that the timing is right. "This is the most dynamic and modern four-door saloon that Jaguar has ever created, and is a design showcase heralding the next generations of our sports saloon models," he says. "At Jaguar, it's time for change with our four-doors, and our customers are ready for that."
Sales of the XF begin in spring 2008, with entry-level 3.0-litre petrol, 2.7 twin-turbodiesel and 300bhp 4.2 V8 engines, plus a supercharged range-topper. Prices will start at just under £30,000.
For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you six issues for £1 and a free toolkit!
0 Comment
Sponsored Results
Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | Sitemap
Our Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | iMOTOR | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals
Our Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | iMOTOR | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals