The 2009 Jaguar XF is a midsize four-door that will replace the S-Type. Dealers are already taking orders for the XF, which goes on sale in March.
The car features Jaguar's new design direction for its sedans. The XK coupe was the first model, and Jaguar says the XF is intended to emulate the XK's lines without sacrificing interior room. The windshields of both cars have the same raked angle, and the XF carries front fender vents similar to the XK's. (Vents have become a cliché recently, but Jaguar's are well-integrated.) Distinctive characteristics include a sculpted hood and a prominent aluminum frame surrounding the side windows.
The car's smallish mesh grille and large lower-bumper vents carry over from the C-XF concept, but the formerly slit-like headlights are much larger and have drawn criticism.
Around back are high-mounted LED taillights that emulate Aston Martin.
The interior combines traditional cues with contemporary touches, like a rotary knob in the center console that serves as a gear selector. With its continued dedication to ease of use, Jaguar does not use this knob as a multifunction controller like German (and some Japanese) automakers do.
When the engine is started, the JaguarDrive Selector knob rises out of the console, and air conditioning vents rotate to the open position. Actions like these and the pulsing-red start button are what interior designers call theater.
The XF also uses proximity sensors in place of switches or handles for the reading lights and glove compartment lid - a wave of the hand does the trick.
Standard and optional features include heated and cooled front seats, front and rear sonar parking aids, a backup camera, a blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, Bluetooth wireless phone capability and inputs for an iPod, and a generic MP3 player or a USB storage device. There's a choice of three audio rigs, the best of which is a Bowers & Wilkins premium surround-sound system.
The XF's relatively large trunk can be expanded by folding the backseat forward.
The standard drivetrain is a 4.2-liter V-8 with the XK's six-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Dynamic and Winter modes optimize the accelerator progression, shift schedules, and stability-system operation. Jaguar says the 300-horsepower engine propels the XF from 0 to 60 miles per hour in roughly 6.2 seconds. The top trim level has a 420-hp supercharged version of the 4.2-liter that's claimed to blast to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds.
The lower trim levels have conventional four-wheel-independent suspensions, and the supercharged model comes standard with Computer Adaptive Technology Suspension, an electronically controlled adaptive-damper suspension that smoothes out bumps and controls body motions.
Safety features include dual-stage frontal airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and curtain airbags for front and rear side-impact protection. Active head restraints come on the front seats.
Antilock disc brakes with brake assist and brake-force distribution are standard. Also onboard are traction control and an electronic stability system.
Base list prices $49,200 - $62,200
Engines 300-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8
Transmission 6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
What we like Touch-screen control
MP3 input or iPod interface
Adaptive suspension (XF supercharged)
What we don't Front styling
