It is a very special day for Jaguar, this first in April. In New York, the new XF rolls on stage, almost everywhere in the world the best-selling model with the cat as a logo. Not just a new car, but at the same time a final stroke. Because the now detached XF was the last Jaguar, which still shared some components with a model of the former owner Ford. In the new business class in the British way is now no Mondeo more in it.
"A completely new car," says Creative Director Adam Hatton, who is responsible for the outward appearance of the new XF. "We started on a white sheet". Of course, he must admit that the optical relationship to the previous model is very close. "But that's quite deliberately so," says the Englishman. "After all, the XF was at the time the pioneer of the new Jaguar design, the progenitor of today's family." In fact, in the year 2008, the Jaguar XF was initially a shock to the remaining fans of the British traditional brand. A coupe-like limousine with bedroom view comes from classic-edged veteran. But Jaguar has long been looking for new customers who live more in the present than in the memory of glorious post-war years.
“Tradition is always an important factor for us, even with the new XF,” explains Hatton. “After all, Jaguar was always a sports car manufacturer. And that emphasizes the sporty side of us today in the limousines, too, to distinguish us from our German rivals. The top creative from Coventry means, of course, the southern German triumvirate Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A 6 - all classic notchback sedans, as they are standard in the very conservative company car team. As the cornerstone for the new XF, Adam Hatton mentions the visual presence on the road that results from the combination of elegance and dynamism.
Although a few millimeters shorter, but still 4,95 meter long XF is now mainly for the rear passengers a revelation. Thanks to more than five centimeters of extra wheelbase (now 2,96 meters), there is significantly more space for the leg and head. "We have taken the lead in this class," says Hatton happily. The luggage compartment with its 540 liters is at a similar level to that of the E-Class.
There has also been a lot of change in the interior: the noble materials have been refined again, plus modern electronics such as the 10,2-inch large touch screen monitor, which can be operated similar to an iPad. Even Jaguar customers can now have laser head-up information reflected in the windshield, with full-LED headlamps glow in the night or rely on assistance systems that cooperate with a stereo camera.
The cat's thirst has decreased thanks to a radical weight loss diet. “Depending on the model, up to 190 kilograms,” calculates Adam Hatton and emphasizes that the substructure of the body is now made of 75 percent lightweight aluminum. The result: The entry-level model with its two-liter diesel (102 kW/163 hp) gets by with 3,9 liters per 100 kilometers according to the current standard and starts at 41.350 euros. The all-round “Jaguar Care” carefree package is always included in the price. It provides customers with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty. This includes all regular inspections and a mobility guarantee. A total of three diesel and two petrol engines are on offer. The performance range extends from 120 kW up to 280 kW/380 hp for the sports model with a V6 supercharged engine, which currently commands the most generous base price at 70.390 euros. The new XF will come to Germany in October.
Author: Peter Maahn / SP-X
