Test Drive Jaguar XF since 2012 Sedan

Be an Englishman

It is difficult to be an English. Everyone around waiting for morning courage with oatmeal, black-eyed Five Oclock, the ability to splash in the sink with two cranes and a nightmare nightmare in a always discovered room. And although these are the legends that the British themselves have long forgotten, the world still stands on their own and waits if not continued, then at least confirmation of legends. This is what they are waiting for English cars.
Jaguar is not necessary to prove its sportiness. But it regularly confirms it anyway. Despite the lack of money characteristic of the majority of aristocrats, but in full compliance with the respectable lifestyle and inclination to luxury. The stolen new model, now already received the XF index, the engineers were put in the framework of tough savings and were not so much designing the car, as they tried with a scope of the appearance and interior. As a result, the legend of sports sedans jaguar received a worthy continuation. Engine V8 with a volume of 4.2 liters and maximum power in 298 hp (411 nm) better confirmation of sportiness. It goes with him a heavy machine rapidly (full weight of 2270 kg), but at the same time without losing respectability. This is the very case when the colonel running in peacetime does not cause panic, but certainly draws attention. The acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h occupies from XF 6.5 seconds. For those who like to observe even more rapid running colonels, there is an inspiring engine with a mechanical supercharger. It is also V8 and with the same volume of 4.2 liters, but with a capacity of 416 hp, and the estimated hundred is achieved in 5.4 seconds.
Another unprecedented achievement of British engineers is extremely successful setting up an automatic gearbox of the German brand ZF. Neither jerks, nor delay. Ideal.
But sportiness in this class in no way conflict with comfort. That is, the other should be in excess. After all, otherwise you need to buy Jaguar, but Ferrari, and this, you see, not the same thing. What is interesting is the extremely successful engineering work with the suspension. In the struggle for handling and smoothness defeated electronically managed shock absorbers. Without them, there would be no noble ability to be comfortable at any speed and in any busy turn. Thanks to the incredible motor, the car knows how to race extremely quickly, but at the same time considering with the saddle and does not allow them not to be terminated, but even slightly shake in a convincing movement to new aristocratic pleasures. Harmony with ecstasy. That's just starts to miss a black butter on the head and golf clubs in the trunk.
But the most fascinating new XF in the cabin. This is a completely different level of attitude to work on the interior. Thanks to the work of a designer Alistaire Worelan, the world received a topic for imitation. The ideas of Wallana will start urgently study, copy, creatively rethink or just steal. The strongest thing will cause a widespread shock, control automatic box. Neither lever nor buttons. Instead, a rotating flat knob (like such that they are on radio receivers to search for the desired wave). Now it is fashionable to call this thing to the word controller. At rest, the controller is not visible with the controller turned off. But if you press the START button with a red backlight to the Human heart, the controller immediately crashes on the central tunnel and puts it at hand. And rotates with such a predictable effort, that in case of need (although where does it come from?) To switch the modes of operation of the transmission can also be touch. And for the same purpose there are both submissive petals. Blue interior lighting. And this reasonable color is pacifyingly scattered everywhere, elegantly shaping the sports severity of aluminum panels and adding heat to leather inserts. Together with the red engine start point, all this looks great.
In Russia, the price of the cheapest Jaguar XF with a 3.0 liter motor V6 of 3.0 liters begins from 1,850,000 rubles. The BMW of the 5th series is not more expensive. But beauty, and the rocks of the German smaller. Not to mention the exploits of the interior service of Alistaire Wellan.

Competitors
ICON
Despite all the efforts of competitors, E-Class was and remains an icon among the premium sedans of the business segment. This German can also boast the widest set of power units, which increases the number of potential buyers to incredible sizes, which distinguishes him from the British, in the arsenal of which only three power units. Of course, other things being equal to E-CLASS will not yield XF in any comfort, nor in the level of equipment or in dynamics.
Golden five
Unlike Jaguar, the design of the BMW Salon of the 5th series is not so progressive, but its respectability does not diminish this circumstance. The price tag on the top five starts from the mark of 1,364,400 rubles. True, for this money the buyer will receive only a basic sedan with a modest 2-liter engine. The equal XF in the level of equipment and dynamic characteristics of the BMW 540 will cost more than 2 million. By the way, its 4-liter V8 gives 306 hp. and 390 Nm traction, but this car is gaining a hundred for 6.1 seconds and, unlike Jaguar, it can be equipped with both automatics and MCP.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Audi A6 is the most popular car in the business class. The potential owner of the six is \u200b\u200bcapable of proposing a modern design, a convenient salon, a well-minded running part, excellent dynamic characteristics, as well as the branded quattro drive system. In addition, among its explicit advantages, a decent choice of motors, a huge list of options and a very attractive price tag. The latter more and allowed the car to overtake all competitors: at the end of last year, the model was confidently ahead and BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.
Alexander Piculento
Photo by Armen Maitarjyan
 

A source: Mkmobile magazine [May / 2008]