Jaguar XF
First-ever verdict as we climb aboard Jaguar's stunning new XF SV8 flagship
When it comes to new models, none is more crucial than the XF. So has Jaguar pulled it off? On this evidence, yes! Not only does the S-Type replacement usher in a striking new look, but its cabin brings a level of 'surprise and delight’ not seen in the class before. Factor in a driving experience that strikes a brilliant balance between comfort and sportiness, and the result is a very complete car.
This is the most important new Jaguar for years – and we’ve got our hands on it and hit the road first! While the world’s press gathered around the XF at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Auto Express met up with one of the firm’s chief development drivers for an exclusive taste of the car in action.
And our amazing test didn’t just feature any XF, either. In another world first, we climbed aboard the flagship: the SV8. It is powered by the same 420bhp 4.2-litre supercharged V8 as the XKR, giving a 155mph top speed, and carries a £54,900 price tag.
The XF is undoubtedly a make-or-break car for Jaguar, and will challenge the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series in a way the S-Type never managed. What’s more, it shows how the next generation of models from the Coventry firm will be styled: rather than look to the past, the XF is every inch a modern machine.
Inside, the cabin takes an even bigger leap forward, with a new low-set dash and moody blue lighting. There is more space and, thanks to the taller roof, extra rear headroom as well.
Starting the car is a real occasion. Press the ‘power’ button, which pulses red like a heartbeat, and the cylindrical JaguarDrive gearshift rises gracefully, while the air vents slide open.
Other neat features inside include proximity-sensitive lights – a wave of a hand is all that’s needed to illuminate them – and a touchscreen for the sat-nav and stereo system. But it is how the XF behaves on the road that we’re really interested in – and chauffering Auto Express is a man who has done more miles developing the new model than anyone else: expert test driver Wolfgang Schuhbauer.
Our route takes us away from Frankfurt itself to the Nürburgring circuit, where Schuhbauer is really able to put the car through its paces – and you can click on www.autoexpress.co.uk to see footage of it in action.
Even around town the XF impresses, cosseting occupants exactly as a Jaguar should and soaking up bumps with ease. It’s great on the autobahn, too, where the stability-enhancing aerodynamic undertray and taut body control really come into their own. Even at 140mph, it feels rooted to the road. “We wanted a car you could drive for 1,000km and arrive still feeling fresh,” explains Schuhbauer. “But it also had to offer best-in-class agility and steering. We looked at our competitors, yet our target was the XK; we wanted the XF to drive like a saloon version.”
With a stiffer body than the S-Type, a wider track and XK suspension, the XF relishes twisty roads. The SV8 gets 20-inch alloy wheels with CATS adaptive dampers, too, so it barely rolls in corners, even at high speed.
It’s not only the ride and handling balance that impress. With 560Nm of torque, the supercharged V8 delivers incredible pace. Clever tuning means the exhaust’s off-beat rumble – set against the supercharger whine – enters the cabin only under hard acceleration, and the car is a highly refined cruiser. The six-speed auto is fabulous, too, giving super-smooth shifts and an even snappier Sport mode. Steering wheel-mounted paddles, which blip the engine on the downchange, complete the powertrain highlights.
Even from the passenger seat, it’s clear Jaguar is on to a winner with the XF. It finally shrugs off the past – and hopefully ensures the British marque can look forward to a bright future.
