New Jaguars are becoming frustratingly predictable. Back in the old days, when the company languished under Ford ownership – or worse, British Leyland – Jaguar produced some fantastically fun cars to write about.
The company asked premium money for the X-Type, though it was really a Ford Mondeo underneath some reinterpreted Thatcher-era bodywork. Then, Jag replaced the unquestionably beautiful E-Type with the curious XJS and its temperamental V-12 engine.
Today, Jaguar is on a hot streak, steadily churning out quality car after quality car, with parent company Tata Motors apparently happy to underwrite engineers who are doing what they’re good at – making stylish cars with stellar handling.
The all-new XF, to be displayed next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show along with its first SUV, the F-Pace, is no longer the entry-level Jag. The compact XE sedan took that role, leaving the XF free to become what it always should have been: a true mid-size luxury car.
Its overall length is shorter than before, but the wheelbase is longer, which nets meaningful improvements to rear knee and legroom. The engineers pulled off the same trick with the roof, making it lower while giving rear passengers some (much needed) additional headroom.
Spain is full of scenic, twisting, perfect roads, all apparently built to go nowhere in particular. In this setting, the XF’s ride and handling were impressive. It flowed through turns and soaked up bumps and potholes, happily changing direction on switchbacks and, over all, feeling more nimble than a car this big should.
It’s lighter than before, which certainly helps it achieve such ride and handling. If the XF can handle our rougher roads as well as it did the Spanish ones, it will be a contender for best-in-class comfort. To know for sure, we’ll have to wait until the car arrives in Canada in late December or early January.
Under the hood at launch will be Jag’s familiar 3.0-litre, supercharged V-6 in either 340-horsepower (XF) or 380-hp (XF S) trim. A four-cylinder diesel will arrive later in 2016. All Canadian models will have all-wheel drive.
Jaguar fixed the major complaints about the old XF, making it more spacious inside, and upgraded the cabin and infotainment to compete with key German rivals. The result, then, is predictable: another successful launch for the reborn British company.
You’ll like this car if ... You like plenty of style with substance.
Ever wonder what is under the hood of a Jaguar sedan? This is the new mostly aluminum XF, which saves about 190 kg from the previous model
Posted by Globe Drive on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
TECH SPECS
Base price: $61,400 (XF); $72,900 (XF S)
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V-6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): N/A
Drive: All-wheel drive
Alternatives: Mercedes-Benz E-Class/CLS, BMW 5/6 Series, Audi A6/A7, Cadillac CTS, Lexus GS
The new Jaguar XF display comes with an option to send a text to someone with your estimated time of arrival. And if you...
Posted by Globe Drive on Wednesday, September 2, 2015
RATINGS
Looks: Its profile is rakish, with the roofline sloping down nearly all the way to the rear spoiler. It’s not a traditional three-box sedan shape, rather a cross between that and a four-door coupe.
Interior: The cabin is spacious, with a clean and minimal design we like. The seats are excellent, too. But the materials and buttons don’t quite feel as lush as on some rivals.
Performance: The supercharged V6 is a great engine, overkill even. Ride and handling might just be class-leading. The problem is that BMW/Mercedes/Audi offer so much more choice: RWD, AWD, a mild hybrid, V8, I6, I4, V6 diesel, and, soon, plug-ins. Hopefully Jaguar will fill out its XF lineup over the coming years.
Technology: The new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is excellent, for a touch-screen-based setup. It’ll find parking for you and auto-send a text to your friend if you’re running late. But it’s an optional extra and the standard setup is dated.
Cargo: Along with increased rear-passenger room, the new XF also benefits from a bigger trunk and larger cargo opening.
The verdict
7.5
Exactly the car its predecessor should have been: a spacious, comfortable, fast luxury sedan.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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