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Rear three-quarter shot shows off the stunning lines. |
Jaguar has been around for a long time now and,
until a couple of years ago, it was starting to show. Its cars were
lacking in many areas, notably in the ambition department - probably,
one has to say, due to financial restraints under troubled Ford
ownership.
But ever since Indian corporate
giant Tata stepped in, the leaping cats has been clawing its way back up
the food chain, doing what it was always meant to do - create
beautiful, fast cars.
The XF was is a prime example; it
offered something different, a Jaguar that was every bit as dynamic as
it was modern. Even conservative South Africans are catching on and XF
sales are steadily carving out a market share.
Road-ripping, supercharged V8
range-topping models are all very well, but what about sensible and
efficient models? BMW has the 520d, Mercedes its E200 and Audi will soon
be introducing an A6 2.0 TDI. Manufacturers face increasing pressure
from environmentalists and political groupings such as the EU to
introduce more efficient engines – which is why Jaguar has given us the
XF 2.2D, the most economical Jaguar yet.
But it's not just the engine
that's new. Dramatic design changes have brought the XF's styling into
line with the XJ flagship model. It's more rounded from the front,
giving it a more aggressive stance, with much slimmer, XJ-style,
headlights incorporating LED daytime running lights arranged in a
distinctive ‘J-Blade’ signature pattern.
New tail-light clusters, fully
LED-lit, extend into the central portion of the boot lid, making the the
XF - in my opinion, anyway - one of the finest-looking cars available
today, especially in full XF-R trim.
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Slimmer, XJ-style, headlights incorporate
LED daytime running lights arranged in a
distinctive J-Blade signature pattern. |
The cabin is uniquely welcoming, spacious and
stylish, with dramatic ‘surprise and delight’ elements such as the
JaguarDrive selector that rises from the centre console and air vents
that rotate to their open position when the starter is pressed – and
yes, the button still pulsates like a heartbeat. Jaguar has also sorted
out some previous interface issues and the XF has a new touch screen and
media interface system.
Our journey started at Lanseria
airport, from where we were flown by helicopter to the magnificent
Legends lodge and golf course in Limpopo, surrounded by perfect roads on
which to try the XF's driving dynamics. The altitude, extremely high
ambient temperatures - around 32 degrees in some places - and having the
aircon on full blast all the time also gave us the opportunity to see
whether the 140kW, 450Nm AJ-i4D 2.2 diesel engine has what it takes.
OK, the XF 2.2D is not the
quickest car out there but then, it's not intended to be. Jaguar quotes
average fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km; we managed 6.8 under
admittedly adverse conditions, not least thanks to a quicker-acting
stop/start function.
The XF 2.2D gets from 0-100km/h in
about 8.5 seconds and overtaking from 120km/h can be done with
confidence. It's also blessed with a very smooth ZF eight-speed auto
'box that'll change down from top to fourth or even third without you
feeling a thing.
Throw the Jag through some corners
and you're in for some fun; the launch drive included a
boulder-littered, twisty mountain pass on which the XF admirably
retained its composure, whether going up or down. But it was the comfort
of the ride that impressed me - smooth, quiet, and at high speeds the
Jag digs its claws into the road and feels completely planted.
VERDICT
The XF
2.2 diesel is available in two trim levels, Luxury and Premium Luxury.
Premium Luxury (R522 480) gets you keyless entry, a heated steering
wheel and seats, front and rear parking sensors and 18" alloy rims as
opposed to the R452 480 Luxury's 17" hoops.
The new XF looks fantastic, offers
a comfortable ride with most of the luxuries one expects, and the
2.2-litre diesel derivative doesn't stand back from its rivals in any
respect whatsoever.
In a word:
Jag-a-licious.
Source:
IOL Motoring