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Arrival – Jaguar XF 2.2D
May 18, 2012
It’s hard to believe that over five years ago I was standing in front of Jaguar’s jaw-dropping CX-F Concept at the Detroit Motor Show, mesmerised by its curves, crevices and beautiful body lines, and today I’m standing in front of a brand new production XF, the 2.2 D. The difference this time is that I have the keys to this long-term test unit, fantasy has become reality and it’s due to be in my care for the next 12 months.
The XF is arguably the most successful new Jaguar to signify the brand’s rebirth since it was acquired by India’s Tata Motors a few years ago. It’s a car that clawed back some credence for fans of the marque, gave a foretaste into its design future and simultaneously overshadowed its ageing German rivals. In its first four years, the XF won more than 80 awards around the world for its performance and styling. But the Teutonic Three fought back, each introducing stronger weapons to the mid-size executive market, namely the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.
For the 2012 model year, the XF returned the fire offering refreshed exterior styling and a revised interior featuring upgraded infotainment and audio systems, as well as a frugal new 2.2-litre turbodiesel (dubbed the AJ-i4D) derived from its Range Rover Evoque stable-mate. Each revision has been an enhancement over the previous version, the only feature I’m yet to get to get to grips with is the clunky satellite navigation system, but it is early days. Compared with my previous X5, the BMW’s iDrive system was far more intuitive and doesn’t make you feel like a grandad operating a DVD system for the first time.
Visually, the Polaris white XF with its optional 18-inch Lyra alloys (19-inchers are also available) is getting plenty attention around town. The changes to the XF’s rear (renewed full-LED tail-lights, a revised boot lid finisher with a gloss black lower edge and a more subtle diffuser) are less significant than those at the front. From the A-pillar forward sees the latest XF design show more influence from the C-XF. While the first iteration of the XF was too watered down from the original concept, at the world’s global launch in Munich last year, chief designer Wayne Burgess told us that this latest design is the one they wanted to build from the start but they never had the technology available at the time to mass produce it. In this case, form has followed function.
Much of the design constraints stemmed from the swooping headlamp design. These bi-Xenon units now differentiate the new XF from its predecessor by what Jaguar terms its ‘J Blade’ LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). These, in turn, allow for a more profiled bonnet design offering greater definition and shape to the XF’s visage. These distinctive bi-function HID Xenon headlamps have rain sensing wipers and Adaptive High beam and Intelligent Light Beam Assist available as options.
Burgess has also succeeded in revising the front bumper, grille and front wings to incorporate new, triangular side vents that help provide a more muscular, purposeful appearance. The result is both svelte and stylish, offering more dynamic personality and character than the E-Class and more imagination than the cookie-cutter A6, I feel.
We’ll delve into greater detail on the interior, the XF’s new stop/start system and its fuel consumption in future reports with more kilometres under the belt, but for now our new cat is just purr-fect.
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