Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF Overview

The Jaguar XF is the British automaker’s answer to the competitive luxury executive sedan segment, predominantly occupied by its German counterparts like the BMW 5 series, Mercedes-Benz E class and the Audi A6. The now second-generation Jaguar XF made its local debut in Malaysia back in 2016 with heavily revised styling, inspired by the Jaguar XE and the Jaguar F Type.

Unlike its rivals from Munich and Stuttgart, the Jaguar is only available in fully imported form and hence the price disadvantage. The 2.0 R-Sport trim with updated powertrain is the sole variant on offer today with a price tag from RM 457,934 (OTR without insurance). In terms of performance, it competes directly against the segment’s M Sport, AMG Line and the Quattro variants. Purchase price includes 5 years limited-mileage warranty and servicing package with 3 years Jaguar roadside assistance.

Jaguar XF Design

The Jaguar XF exterior design is an evolution of the original J-Blade design first seen in the original X250 XF but with 83 percent all-new parts. The bodywork is now made primarily using lightweight aluminium and is capable of achieving a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.26, one of the lowest in its class.

Drawing inspiration from the Jaguar XE, the Jaguar XF now sports a larger, more prominent front grille, flanked by a pair of slim LED headlights featuring Jaguar signature 'J' blade daytime running light. Redesigned front bumper and a larger side air vents gives the car a striking on-road presence.

The desirable coupé-like silhouette is retained thanks to the slopping C-pillar and a clean side profile with subtle body lines. R-Sport design touches are dotted around the exterior with gloss black trims as seen on the front grille, front bumper, fender badge, side sills and the boot mounted spoiler.

The taillights feature a distinctive, F-Type inspired roundel and intersecting horizontal detail. Generously sized 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard and the twin exhaust with chrome finisher completes the overall sporty look of the car.

Jaguar XF Dimension

The Jaguar XF sits in the Jaguar range between the sporty Jaguar XE and the luxurious Jaguar XJ. Based on the same Jaguar Land Rover D7 Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) aluminium platform, the mid-size executive sedan is amongst the lightest compared to its closest rivals.

Jaguar XF Interior

The interior design is contemporary yet elegant with minimal switches and button. Climbing inside, you are immediately welcomed by the luxurious ebony grained leather upholstery with light oyster contrast stitching, accented by ebony technical mesh inserts and dark morse code aluminium finisher.

The metal treadplates with Jaguar inscription is illuminated and the headlining is finished in ebony suedecloth.

A large 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes centre stage on the centre console. Underneath the climate control buttons lies a push start button pulsing red at 72 double beat per minute, which Jaguar said is to mimic the heartbeat of a jaguar cat at rest. At a push of the start button, the deployable front air vents rotate open, and the satin black JaguarDrive selector rises smoothly from the transmission console.

Driver gets leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel with R-Sport branding and a fully digital 12.3-inch high-definition driver instrument display. Interior mood lighting enhances the interior ambiance.

Despite the slopping roofline, the redesigned stretched rear quarter window certainly addreses the issue of limited rear head room on the previous model. Interior space is generous, and the rear knee room is among the best in class. 540 litre of cargo space matches the Mercedes-Benz E350’s loading capacity and the 40:20:40 split rear seating configuration increases loading space to an impressive 885 litres.

Jaguar XF Features

Standard equipment includes adaptive LED headlights with signature ‘J’ blade daytime running light, automatic high beam assist, headlight power wash, auto-dimming/heated door mirrors with power fold and approach light, powered gesture tailgate and a 20-inch 5 split-spoke gloss dark grey alloys with contrast diamond turned finish.

The interior features 10-way power adjustable Taurus leather sports perforation front seats with 4-way lumbar support, a 10-inch Touch Pro touchscreen infotainment system with Navigation Pro and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, a 12.3-inch HD interactive driver display featuring full screen navigation with 3D mapping, head-up display with laser technology, in-car WiFi and a 380 W premium Meridian sound system with 10 speakers and a dual-channel subwoofer.

Safety comes courtesy of Jaguar’s InControl suite of safety and driver assistance technology among others includes stereo vision camera with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) with adaptive speed limiter and Blind Spot Assist with Reverse Traffic Detection. Driver assistance systems include ABS with EBA, rear camera, front and rear parking aid, cruise control with speed limiter and Hill Launch Assist. It is awarded the full 5 star in the Euro NCAP crash safety rating with front, side and curtain airbags and ISOFIX child anchor seats.

Jaguar XF Driving Performance

Engine

Under the bonnet is Jaguar Ingenium 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine developing 300 PS at 5500 RPM and 400 NM of pek torque from 1500-4500 RPM. Century sprint is completed in 6.0 seconds and max out at a limited top speed of 250km/h.

Jaguar’s Ingenium technology introduces low friction, all-aluminium engine design with stiff cylinder blocks and twin balancer shafts to ensure inherently low levels of vibration, promising a refined and smooth day-to-day performance. The available Stop/Start technology works together with regenerative charging which harvests kinetic energy from braking to charge the battery to achieve maximum efficiency and fuel economy.

The engine’s twin scroll turbocharger is fed by an integrated exhaust manifold that synchronises exhaust pulses from two separate pairs of cylinders, significantly reducing turbo lag and improving engine response.

Transmission

Power is sent to the rear wheel via an 8-speed electronic automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift. Depending on the drive mode, ‘Dynamic’ offers quicker shifts and sportier kick-down while Eco mode provide earlier up-shifts to maximize efficiency. You can also opt to manually control the gearshifts via the paddle shifters.

Jaguar XF Ride Comfort

Based on Jaguar’s high-strength lightweight aluminium architecture, it not only strong and lightweight but also incredibly rigid. Coupled with an aluminium double front wishbone suspension and an integral link rear suspension, the set up promises a great balance between a refined ride and responsive handling.

The available All Surface Progress Control (ASPC) system allows slow speed cruise (3.6km/h–30 km/h) in low traction situation. Torque Vectoring system provides controlled independent braking on the inside wheels for improved cornering traction.

Jaguar XF Fuel Consumption

No official rated fuel economy.

Jaguar XF Conclusion

The Jaguar XF immaculately designed and engineered and can certainly hold itself going up against the big player in the segment. Based on Jaguar’s high-tech lightweight chassis technology paired to a highly sophisticated suspension set up, the Jaguar XF punches well above its weight when it comes to ride and handling. The start-up sequence with the rotating vents and the rising gear selector offers theatre and a sense of occasion that is unmatched by its rivals. Unfortunately, due to its high entry price and limited local presence and after sales service support, the Jaguar remains to be the less popular choice compared to its competition.