Test Drive Jaguar XFR since 2009 Sedan
cat house
Test updated Jaguar XF / XFRIn the absolute silence of early morning, someone decided to start the engine of one of the renewed XF hotel parked near the hotel. Soft, bulky, slightly bullous sound of eight, reminiscent of the fastened cat purr, leaning on the surface of the Alpine lake. This pleasant rice once again reminded me of why I am not indifferent to Jaguar cars
For this sound, I am ready to sell my homeland. Low bow to the Yaguarovsky engines and acoustics engineers, who endowed their eight-cylinder, seemingly absolutely soulless piece of metal character, power and this magnificent voice. There is something in it, which makes you forget about environmental standards (although Euro-5), and about fuel consumption, and all other things, talking about which is very fashionable and politically correct, but that every year all The motors of our cars are stronger and stronger and stronger.
The most noticeable differences between the restyling version of the front. The headlights are similar to those from the flagship XJ or on those that were still at C-XF cochant presented in 2007. Only now they appeared the LEDs of the characteristic form of the J-Blade. The grill of the radiator became more massive, as well as hump on the hood and lower chrome plates in the modified front bumper.
In the sound of the eight Jaguar there is something primitive, something from those times when creating a new, more powerful engine, did not need to think about anything, besides increasing the livestock of horses and, sometimes, about improving reliability. Name me by retrograd, an antisocial person, a person who does not think about the environment by anyone, even by an earthen worm. And I will still love this stunning sound. He reminds me of the glorious times of the automotive industry, which rapidly go into the past.
Rear on the updated XF are installed completely LED lights a bit of altered shape and a new bumper. The word jaguar with a chrome plank disappeared, and two more cats beyond the one that on the lid of the trunk was put in the sidewalls of the rear lighting.
And what about the present? Naturally, Jaguar cannot take about such as me and release a car similar to the market, similar to its recklessness and the greatness of the legendary XJS V12. No matter how cool, but do not care about modern trends in the development of the automotive world, it is impossible to anyone, even the aristocratic and weathered Jaguar. Therefore, the first XF, behind the wheel of which I was, it is a three-liter turbodiesel. Yes, Diesel Jag.
During the restyling, the form of lateral ventilation grilles in the front wings has changed. For all versions of the car, a special aerodynamic kit is provided.
Moreover, for the European market will now be available and the only current in the production range of the motor of just four cylinders! Again, turbodiesel. The same engine that first appeared on the updated Land Rover Freelander 190 forces and 450 Nm of the moment.
But in Russia XF, with such a power plant, it was decided not to deliver. Apparently, in Russian representation, it is believed that ride on a 4-cylinder kerosekin and at the same time have a beast grilled on the radiator lattice is not solid. And I, perhaps, I agree: we are still not Europe, to adequately perceive so modest Jaguar.
Cars with turbo diesel engines in Europe are now equipped with 8-speed ZF machines. We still have an old, 6-speed. In general, not a lot of loss: it is also very good.
But with six cylinders and the 275th forces of the AJ-V6D engine, installed on the XFS version, you absolutely do not feel flawed. Permanent slipups with an innocent start from the place are forced to doubt that it is just a 3-liter turbodiesel. But it is worth remembering the colossal 600 Nm of the moment, and everything becomes in its place. And you realize that the letter S, which in the title of the diesel car looks somewhat strange, appeared completely non-surrender. The British themselves believe that it emphasizes the sports character of XF, even in such a powerful modification (for Russia, by the way, an old 3-liter turbodiesel in 238 forces will continue to be available, but it was not present on the presentation).
The Top Modification Motor XFR is developing 510 horsepower. This is a lot. But still, it would be nice to rotate the XFR forces up to 550. At least in order not to be likened by the usual Range Rover, for which such a motor is also provided, although M with other control electronics settings. The letter R on a car with a cat obliges different.
New diesel is great. Good traction, the complete lack of diesel tapura and almost 92 horsepower with liter volume, which is a very worthy indicator for a heavy fuel engine. It is good and on the Discovery SUV, and on the Executive XJ, but everywhere is configured in different ways. And the right of Jaguarovsk engineers: At XF, this motor seems the most combat.
According to manageability, most (not counting XFR) liked, oddly enough, the diesel version of XFS. The reactions of the machine with atmospheric V8 seemed not to such clearly, and the rolls increased. Perhaps the case is in a greater mass per capita.
The sound is very tasty for a diesel engine, the dynamics is not exciting, but the presence of a letter S is fully justified. And this is with quite humane for such a large car consumption of fuel. But I didn't like it, this is the work of a new 8-speed ZF automaton: it sometimes sins with superfluous switches, changing the steps there, when there is no need for such a torque in this! Old 6-step 6nour26 personally I liked more. It was more unequivocal, but, justice for the sake of, and less smooth. But this information is for those who are going to purchase an updated XF not immediately after the start of sales, but a little later, since initially all XF in the Russian market will be sold with the old gearbox, and the eight will appear later.
But the advantage of XF is natural, not only in the motor and speed of the machine. The suspension is good. Pretty comfortable and, at the same time, allows you to go aggressively. Of course, there are small rolls, and in large pits you want greater energy intensity. But nevertheless, this is a very successful compromise between the sports letter S in the name of the model and the solidity and the nobility, which should be inherent in any Jaguar.
Separate praise steering. This thing in our world is unique. I did not meet this on any of the modern cars. The feeling that is probably familiar to the owners of the Italian cars of the last century: symbiosis of lightness and transparency.
Before restyling, many complained about the difficulties with reading devices, especially on a sunny day. Now the dashboard has made more contrast. Personally, I even did not notice any special problems with the sunshine.
At the first XF handles and microclimate and audio control buttons, it was very much reminded of such from Ford Mondeo and irritated inappropriate silver plastic. The form has not changed, but the quality of the manufacture has become higher on the head. Under the central 7-inch display, a number of buttons appeared, providing direct access to the main functions (central locking, menus, navigation, audio).
At first it seems that the steering wheel on XF is too empty in zero. But then, when you touch and feel the characteristic weighting in turns, precision clarity and informativeness in the virages, you understand what exactly it was conceived. So the glorious Jaguarovsky hydraulicel is configured. This, too, by the way, is a kind of Old School, this is not already doing this now almost no one. And this is another reason why I find an XF very interesting car. But in order to be absolutely honest, I note and one disadvantage: the gear ratio could be both shorter. Even in 90 degree turns, it is necessary to make interception that somewhat does not fit with the image of a car with a sports character.
The main promise at Facelifting XFR was to give him a more aggressive view, says Wayne Berjes, designer XF. As a result, huge air intakes appeared in the front bumper, successfully combined with the increased hump and the deflectors on the hood.
Further more. The queue is exactly the XF, the sound of the motor of which so excited me at the beginning of the test drive: a real Jaguar with a real five-liter eight. Yes, diesel is very good. It is economical, tracked and rather strong. But, once by pressing the gas on Jaguar with V8, you understand that this is exactly what it is necessary. Acceleration is dense and rapid. It rolling the powerful wave of the storm, unlike the everyday tide of the turbo diesel. Well, again, this sound that makes the heart flutter, and the soul is vibrating in the tact of all increasing motor turnover. However, the steering wheel here is no longer so transparent, the responses to the rotation of the ram are more smeared, and the rolls have become more. I do not find another excuse for this, like an increase in the mass of the front of the car due to the installation of a large engine. But these nuances become noticeable, only if you immediately transfer with XFS to V8. They are quickly adapting to them, and a dozen turns are completely getting used to them.
A trip to five-liter atmospheric yad left the impression that he is quite powerful in order to even dream of a greater number of forces under the hood. So everyone thinks. So I thought. As long as the souls did not scrape the most sweep and brutal from all Jaguarovsky cats V-shaped compressor eight king beast XFR. It concerns R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R and its iron claws trying to break the perfectly smooth German asphalt on the shreds, leaving the bold bands of burnt rubber on it. And on every little, a long straight line forces once again recall that in the event of a meeting with the police for almost three-time excess of the speed of me, at a minimum, lifelightly deprived of the visa, and how many will hang on one of the wonderful roadside pillars.
In XFR, I like everything: and an overestimizing compressor 510-strong motor, and powerful brakes, and adjusting the adaptive dynamics suspension, and the fastest switching of the machine in sports mode. And the reserve of stability and chain is so great that you always think about the racing track.
But it is impossible to stay. Not once again not to drown gas to the floor and under the characteristic insulsiveness of the rear axle and the heartbreaking sound of the compressor jam in a combat pace another five-six-kilometer segment between quiet bavarian villages. No on again boldly attack the interesting turn appeared ahead. None of the next settlement on the orders of the right leg to compress the most powerful calipers of long-term brake discs, hang on the belt, and on the pedestrian 60 kilometers per hour to ride a single street in the next town and only the cherished, crossed out red (as our XFR ) The name of some Riedlem, WinKl or Steinkirchen again annoy the wild beast accelerator. Again to arrange a race.
Aerodynamic kit at the top model XFR has its own, even rear diffuser. The four-bale of the configured release is unique: conventional XF are satisfied with two exhaust pipes.
XFR has everything for this. The steering wheel was empty to the atmospheric, it seems perfect again and, moreover, it gained a little more effort. And the suspension Adaptive Dynamics especially in the Dynamic Mode mode becomes hard smoothly so much that it almost deprives Jaguar rolls, but at the same time, does not force his passengers to forget the word comfort forever. Business class after all!
Interior
The interior of Jaguar XF after restyling has been significantly updated. The quality of materials and execution has significantly improved. Famous chips Closed ventilation deflectors and washer, replacing the traditional ACP lever remained, and it distinguishes XF from any other car. There is adaptive cruise control and automatic long-term control.
Jaguar XF sports seats have a huge number of adjustments. Including, separately, you can adjust the departure of the bottom pillow or the density of the side support rollers. Such chairs can be adjusted on the figure almost perfect. But the usual, without such a variety of settings, not everyone, although personally for me and they were good.
Transmission Mode Switching washer This masterpiece. And if earlier she could afford a small backlash, then after the finishes became absolutely clear and extremely pleasant to the touch mechanism.
The XFR version of the quintessence of the sedan from Jaguar. His sharpness does not conflict with the understanding of the control. Even on public roads, I did not disable the stabilization system (for this, it is necessary to keep the button about 10 seconds on the jaguars, and the short press includes the TRAC DSC mode, which exacerbates the reaction to gas and allows a small slip) and take a bunch of turns on the edge, with low slides . Fortunately, XFR feels your intentions and obviously obey. Although the skid and develops quite quickly, but the time for its correction is enough. But still you need to understand that you can joke with a 510-strong cat for the time being. Go to the final and unconditional you are best on the road, where the stock is more, and the possibilities for the implementation of the XFR potential too.
You do not want to return the keys from Jaguar. Never. Especially when it is the keys to the model R. But the tank is on the outcome (burned for 200 kilometers!), Yes, and there will be no plane to wait. I slowly pull out a bag from the trunk, reluctantly take away from the interior of Flashki and discs, stroking the farewell cat, and I can't drive a thought that fell in my head: how does the British still manage to make your cars in many respects unique? The approach, tradition, the school at least for it is to love them, appreciate and respect in our aspiring to the worldwide unification of the world. And restyling is another chance for skeptics, here for three years exclaiming that XF is not Jaguar, try to change my opinion.
This is Jaguar. Real. If only because it does not look like anyone. Cats still live in their own, by him one understandable house, not particularly looking around and not recognizing German authorities. This is good.
Alternative
Currently, the charged E-class from Mercedes-Benz, in fact, is the only one affordable to purchase an alternative to Jaguar XFR. It is estimated at 5,300,000 rubles. The 63rd motor is actually 5.5-liter bitthurbo eight (525 horsepower, 630 nm). Gearbox 7-speed sports AMG Speedshift MCT.
The future in the spring is waiting for the emergence of the reply from Bavarians-New BMW M5. Prices have not yet been announced, but specifications are already known. The original V10 motor will no longer be. His place will take a famous 4,4-liter V8 BMW 4.4-liter V8 models with a double turbocharger, which has been profiled to 560 forces and 680 nm. The moment on the wheels will be transmitted through the 7-step robot DCT with two clips and M-differential on the rear axle.
Cadillac entered the rustle, releaseing the most powerful (556 horsepower, 561 nm) modification of CTS sedan with a giant 6,2-liter compressor V8 under the hood. But the decision on supplies to Russia is still not accepted. We hope that CTS-V will still come to us next year. By the way, oddly enough, CTS-V remains the only representative in the segment of the charged business class sedans, for which the hand 6-speed gearbox is available!
Dmitry Krotov
Photo Dmitry Krotova and Jaguar
A source: Magazine Motor [July 2011]
