Jaguar XF test drive since 2012 sedan

Jaguar XF. Reorientation

Jaguar XF. Price: from 2,300,000 rubles. On sale: since June 2009
According to the classic canons of Jaguar, a diesel XF, professing a radically new approach to the image of the brand, should be anathematized. Just a few years ago, an eccentric apostate, and even working on non -aesthetic fuel, would look like a clear heresy among the stiff conservatism. Fortunately, the brand value system has undergone serious changes
Test pilot
Dmitry Tytyuchenko, 33 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 14 years, personal car - Jeep Wrangler
Love for all ages. Alas, no passion. But it is precisely passion that drives those who prefer the exquisite Jaguar XF who are magnificent examples of the German and Japanese auto industry. For whom is a hypertrophied sense of style diagnosis, emotional paroxysm, and the desire to be at the top time of life credo. And who used to be considered a completely typical age -outsider among the target audience of the brand.
With the sunset of the classic Jaguar era, the main stereotype in the history of the brand is safely lost: British cars for those who understand. Understanding, as usual, came only with age, when all passionate impulses were already covered with ashes of extinct emotions. In addition, dynamic, but too imposing sedans of previous years with frankly rudimentary manageability could not fully interest young and active drivers.
The harbinger of the new corporate style, Jaguar XF for many made us look at the brand differently. The car perfectly combines traditional luxury and comfort with an extravagant appearance and, most importantly, gives the driver to enjoy the pronounced sense of the steering wheel and a clear sense of the road, where the power of the athletic seems to be undivided. X-EF sticks to the asphalt, clearly, with a barely noticeable side inclination, passing every turn, and demonstrates enviable obedience, quickly and safely performing the slightest driver's whims. At speed, acute steering is filled with noticeable effort. The steering wheel itself, moderately elastic, with excellent informativeness, gives a completely transparent understanding of what is happening with the wheels at one time or another.
But an excess of gas in a bend turns into the XF desire to break into the best traditions of powerful rear -wheel drive cars. However, the rapid and sensitive pulling of the stabilization system in the blink of an eye evens out the trajectory. The electronic controller can be removed: you only need to hold the DSC key pressed. The main thing is not to let several digits out of your head. Namely, 600 Nm of the torque, developed by a 3.0-liter diesel engine with two turbines at 2000 min-1, and 275 liters. With. Power. In fact, they appear as follows: when you press the accelerator, the car naturally bursts, regardless of the position of the tachometer arrow. The machine instantly goes down, and Jaguar XF is even and assertively carried away into the distance, gaining the coveted hundred for 6.4 s. Talking about economic benefits in the case of a luxury brand, of course, is absurd. And yet, as after several days of active driving, he showed the on-board computer, the average fuel consumption froze at 12.4 liters, which, you see, seems good for such a car.
Who will remember the old
The Jaguar automobile design vector in the foreseeable future, tested on the XF model, set the 2006 C-XF concept car. When creating it, the developers focused on the bright and fast Mark VII and Mark 2, one of the most noticeable and revered cars of the brand of the middle of the last century. The modern interpretation of the stylistic solutions of those years made it possible to emphasize once again the connection of the times, so important for each self -respecting brand. The cleanliness of the style of the resulting Sedan C-XF sport was perfectly combined with catchy dynamism. As the serial version of the Jaguar XF shows, the approach was correct in the coming through the prism of the past was a very successful idea.

Driving
It would be just a crime to deprive such a bright car with dynamics, maneuverability and handling.
Salon
It is original in the modern style and is quite spacious for four.
Comfort
The novelty does not lose at all classic Jaguar, known for its prohibitive comfort.
Safety
The arsenal of security funds is very vast.
Price
The premium class is much more close to the equipment than the numbers.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Catchy exterior design, thought out interior, excellent dynamic properties, clear handling, enviable equipment.
- Unknown due to the high threshold and a small opening, loading the trunk.

Specifications
Mark and model - Jaguar XF S
Dimensions - 4961x1877x1460 mm
Engine - diesel V6, 2993 cm3, 275 hp/4000 min -1
Transmission - automatic, 6 -speed
Dynamics - Max 259 km/h; 6.4 s to 100 km/h
Competitors-BMW 5th series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Our opinion
About the departed either well or nothing. Drawing mental parallels between the diesel Jaguar XF and any of the classics of the brand, I involuntarily want to remain silent. No, the ancestors are also not deprived of comfort and dynamics, but it is impossible to get such elegant handling on the road.

Author: Dmitry Tytyuchenko
Photo: Maxim Egorov
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [November 2009]