Jaguar XF test drive since 2007 sedan
Jaguar XF: Magic vs High-Tex
The British will not refuse either imagination or a feeling of beautiful. In the last weekend, the final series of Saga about Harry Potter caused a full house in cinemas around the world. The new and precisely not the latest version of the Jaguar XF business class sedan, which will enter the Russian market in September, is also a work of true British, not without magic.
This is just restyling, but what! A familiar sedan, having a strange face with bulging eyes, seemed to take a flip potion and here is almost a copy of the handsome Jaguar XJ.
Athletian Jaguar XFR (below) can be found by large air intakes in the front bumper. He looked more modest before
Those who follow the premieres of concept punches probably remember that this narrowed head of the headlights and the wedge-shaped stamping on the hood were invented by the Yaguarovites a few years ago. The C-XF experimental model, created in this style, appeared before the public in 2007, but the serial Jaguar XF sedan, launched a year later, did not look so harmonious.
In front, the updated Jaguar XF began to strongly resemble the model of the representative class XJ (in the black picture). But the back is still nothing in common
Near the brand new jaguars standing on the lake in the Alps, the leading designer Wayne Bernes is pacing. Without waiting for questions about what forced to turn a few controversial style three years ago, he himself explains: then the company did not have the necessary technologies for the production of such spectacular headlights. And what is special about these headlights? The head optics of the novelty is quite remarkable. Today, many companies implant strips of LEDs into block factories, but Jaguar has found an interesting technique. In the darkness, these strokes of light seem to unfold into another plane, turning into the shining edges of the invisible disk, leaving deeper into the steel body. Very memorable detail! Even the flagship Jaguar XJ looks easier.
The updated machine can be distinguished from the back of the dorestyling version in lights: before, only the upper segment entered the trunk lid, and now the lower one too. And the silhouette of a chrome cat in the center increased in size, explains the leading designer Jaguar Wayne Burges
Of course, I am not the first who, sitting behind the wheel of Jaguar, notes: the British possess the secrets of witchcraft. On a winding highway, the car flies and growls, not as a business sedan, but as a magical creature. I am going on the most powerful modification of the Jaguar XFR, equipped with a 5-liter V8 with a compressor. The gas touch even at speeds of about 200 km/h is felt as a push from the back. And to release the pedal, and immediately slows down the machine so actively the machine is able to slow down the engine.
Taxing with a secondary path on the highway, I squeeze the accelerator a little stronger to join the stream, and a powerful rear -wheel drive sedan, whistling with the wheels and slipping his tail, rushes forward.
The maximum version of the XFR version is limited at 250 km/h, but the 510-horsepower engine is clearly capable of more
The Yaguarovites have their own recipe for potions with which they feed cats. Here it must be explained that athletes of different manufacturers differ much more from each other than golf-class hatchbacks. Take, for example, the BMW M5 in the previous body (the novelty is still on the way). It is as if he is all the time to repeat his owner: you are a racer, around Nürburgring! But on the basis of the same five, a completely different ALPINA B5 athlete with compressor V8 (500 hp) was produced. This is a kind of business jet. Its reactive craving does not interfere with the comfort and peace of the riders. And Jaguar XFR does not look like one or the other. He is like a living creature. It can be reassured or reassured. And you can angry.
Its creators said about the prerestyling version that she looks best in the angle of three quarters behind. The novelty is good from all sides
The athlete takes on the impulsive nature when the machine of the machine gun selector is converted into a sports mode and in addition a key with the image of a fiber flag is pressed. It makes more active shock absorbers, and also increases the sensitivity of the gas pedal. You disconnect all this and Jaguar XFR becomes a different car. It was like a volume pen turned to the left. The motor does not roar, but purrs. And does not pull the body. The thrust rolls in a wave. And the suspension begins to swallow the irregularities, which have just been given with tough blows.
Simultaneously with the restyling, Jaguar received an eight -speed machine, which replaced a six -speed box. The new transmission is distinguished by the ability to quickly jump down a couple of steps down. However, the first time updated jaguars will be delivered to us from the previous automatic transmission
Crossing the flagship XFR on XF with a five -liter atmospheric (385 hp), I expected that in addition to power, this version would differ in greater smoothness and civil handling. It wasn't there. The chassis with active shock absorbers here is exactly the same. Yes, and the engine is just as two -faced. At the limit of opportunities, he disperses the sedan to 100 km/h for 5.7 s, which is only 0.8 s worse than XFR. It is enough that this version is rightfully called the athlete.
Against the background of senior gasoline modifications that differ in explosive temperament, the capabilities of the 3-liter diesel version (275 hp) look, of course, more modest. And as dense as the senior versions, the chassis here, rather, brings inconvenience. The engine dictates a more smooth rhythm of movement, but the suspension shakes, preventing him from relaxing. However, after some time understanding comes: this Jaguar is also so faster than the main stream of cars that you should not relax.
Being formally a representative of a business class, XF is far from office style. The creators of the model sought to make something more out of this sedan. Give him a fraction of aristocracy. They emphasize that some versions of the interior decoration should evict associations with luxurious Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Say, a combination of dark blue and light brown skin ... True, other options for an amateur (in Jaguar with raspberry seats, I felt uncomfortable). The British did not stint on the skin of the front panel, but it catches the eye that the helm of the steering wheel, regardless of the level of the finish, is made of rather boring plastic under the skin. A strange solution, given that in general, the steering wheel is rich in rich: decent skin on the rim, and on the knitting needles the metal wheels of controlling the audio system and cruise control, looking very expensive.
Among the versions of the interior decoration there are also quite extravagant combinations of shades, but the classic black version is also, of course, proposed
Today, manufacturers of business sedans are not betting on magic, but on high-tech. In fact, it is strange in a car at a price of 2-4 million rubles. Discover the on -board multimedia system, inferior in capabilities and ease of use of a cheap tablet computer. Jaguar’s competitors advanced greatly in this direction: the new Audi A6 we tested half a year ago was remembered primarily by the fact that there is a Wi-Fi network on board the car, satellite maps of the terrain on the screen in the central console, and several video cameras are monitored around the machine. It is not God the news what kind of technical achievements by modern standards, but without them, in the 21st century, an expensive car is already difficult to imagine.
If there were a lot of wood in the yaguars of previous years, then metal dominates the interior of XF
It was the multimedia system that was the weakest place Jaguar XF. And after restyling ... nothing has changed. Even the most elementary functions of climate control requires alternately burning on the keys at the bottom of the central console and on virtual buttons that display at the top on the touch screen. The menu is easy and confused. The only improvement from the point of view of ergonomics is the appearance under the display of additional keys that allow you to immediately switch to navigation, phone or the main menu. Without them, the screen interface often focused.
Before the end of registration for a flight at the Munich airport, only an hour and 100 km of path remained. It is quite enough, taking into account the high -speed German highways. But unforeseen circumstances intervened: the road, which, according to the concert of the organizers of the test drive, was supposed to take us to the autobahn was closed for repairs. It seems that the car is equipped with a navigator ...
The route programmed by the Yaguarovites provided for a winding path through several picturesque intermediate points, but my colleague and I simply needed to find the shortest way. The fact that the system is Russified did not help at all, but rather interfered. The translation is not always successful. But the main problem is again incomprehensible menu logic. As a result, forcing a hook through a few completely unnecessary settlements to us, navigation led us to the Munich airport half an hour later than planned. It was just lucky that the German at the registration stance reacted to the situation with understanding.
Perhaps the main advantage of the jaguar is that, although XF stands apart among other business sedans, the buyer will not have to overpay for his personality. Prices are quite comparable to German competitors. Drestyling versions now cost from 1,850,000 rubles, and updated sedans rise in price by only 3%. That is, the base will be more expensive for 50,000 rubles.
The same motors continue to be delivered to the Russian market as before, but Europeans will now still receive an economical version with a 2.2-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 190 hp. (He is familiar to us by Land Rover Freelander, Ford Mondeo and Citroen C5). The right decision! Russian buyers of jaguars will not be interested in such a modest motor
The most affordable Jaguar XF is a sedan with a 3-liter gasoline engine (238 hp) and an automaton. There was no such modification on the test drive, but, judging by the technical characteristics, such Jaguar is characterized by a relatively calm character: up to 100 km/h, it accelerates in 8.3 s. But the basic Jaguar is already decently equipped: a leather interior, front seats, climate control, six airbags, ESP, an audio system and much more.
Modification with a 3-liter diesel engine (275 forces) now costs from 2,320,000 rubles, and with a 5-liter gasoline atmospheric (385 hp) from 3,070,000 rubles. For the flagship Jaguar XFR will have to lay out at least 4,170,000 rubles.
This is not so expensive, if you really believe in the magic of Jaguar. But there are few buyers who succumbed to magic. In Russia, 573 XF sedan was sold in Russia for the entire last year, while each of the German premium marks found 5-6 times more buyers of business departments.
Alternative
The most serious competitor to the Jaguar XF basic BMW 523i can be recognized with a 204 hp engine. The specimens collected in Kaliningrad go in fixed trim levels that allow you to get good equipment at a reduced price. Business version with bixenon, climate, skin and some other bells and whistles cost 2,090,000 rubles. And there are 523i in the Special Edition version for 1,890,000 rubles, although the seats here are already sheathed with artificial skin, and the equipment is simpler. I want to have a little more horses? The Bavarians have a very wide range of engines. Of the relatively affordable versions, the BMW 528i Kaliningrad assembly in the Business configuration for 2,290,000 rubles can be recommended. The top five is a full -wheel drive version of 550i XDRive (407 hp), for which they are asked from 3,240,000 rubles. But already on the way and the new 560-horsepower M5. In Russia, it will cost 4,500,000 rubles.
Mercedes-Benz E-class also has fixed configurations, which are designated as a special series sold cheaper. Modification E 250 with a four -cylinder engine with a volume of 1.8 liters with a supercharger (204 hp) now costs 1,980,000 rubles. Moreover, now even the navigation system is included in this amount (but at the same time the finish of artificial leather seats). Mercedes-Benz E 300 A special series with an atmospheric six-cylinder engine of 3 liters (231 hp), a leather salon, navigation and other elements of a beautiful life is 2,230,000 rubles, which is almost 400,000 rubles. More expensive than Jaguar XF power. Extreme Mercedes E63 AMG (525 hp) is much more expensive than competitors from 5,300,000 rubles.
Audi A6 is now sold with a 3.0-liter diesel engine (245 hp) or with a 300 hp gasoline 3.0 TFSI. Moreover, both versions only go with all -wheel drive. Diesel six costs 2,250,000 rubles. for 70,000 rubles. Cheaper 275-horsepower diesel XF. But from the point of view of dynamics, the advantage of 30 hp. In favor, Jaguar is compensated by the QUATTRO drive and a small Audi gain by mass. Gasoline 300-horsepower A6 is sold for 2,350,000 rubles. But it should be noted that the A6 equipment is slightly simpler than that of other Germans in special series or in Jaguar XF.
The alternative to German and English sedans are Japanese premium models. Lexus GS with a 3-liter gasoline six (249 hp), a leather interior, a rear view camera, a suspension rigidity system costs 1,947,000 rubles. And Infiniti M25 is sold for 1.9 million rubles.
Pavel Elshin
Photo by the author and Jaguar
Alternative Dmitry Gaidukevich
Source: Auto.mail.ru
