2010 Jaguar XF - Review - VIDEO ENHANCED
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THERE’S A NEW JAG AND IT’S ON THE PROWL!
By Marty Bernstein
Rumors of the extinction the iconic British automotive brand are false. Jaguar is back and better than ever with the new 2010 Jaguar XF, This is not docile, demure or dainty pussy cat. This is a true Jaguar that honors its 75 years, but looks to the future too.
There have been a few hair balls associated with Jaguar vehicles when owned by Ford; true automotive anglophiles, however, those who have ever owned a car made in the UK -- no matter the brand -- can rattle off its eccentricities.
Any Britmobile. It’s called brand heritage. One becomes accustomed to it.
At one point I owned and drove a beautiful red MGA with the dreaded Lucas electrical system. When cold, it wouldn’t work and the damn thing didn’t start. I got use to it by driving my wife’s car to work.
The XF looks more like a couple than a midsize sport sedan with sleek, sophisticated lines and, as one of my blasé neighbors remarked, “Sexy.” From the front grill’s new mesh, to the distinctive headlight cluster, to the quintessential bonnet bulge somehow reminiscent of the E-type Jaguar. The body lines sweep to the boot which has a new lighting cluster) and the Jaguar logo leaping across the lid.
Slide into the XF and the round start button glows red, press it and the XF springs to life with a soft growl and the round gear shift knob rises to your hand. Little doors open quietly to reveal vents for heat and a/c.
You’ll sit on perforated leather seats that are heated in winter and cooled in summer with enough adjustable settings to assure it’s bespoke comfort.
Looking around the front cockpit, one relaxes in British refinement not Germanic Spartan-ism. There is mélange of wood, patina trims of aluminum and supple leather. The fully adjustable steering wheel was comfortably thick with paddle shifters for sportscar style driving.
Pressing the head of Jaguar’s Jaguar emblem generates a proper authoritative, admonishing honk, not one of those barely audible “Oh, dear ... I’m so sorry to honk at you but you damn near T-boned me with your wretched driving; please accept my apology” horns.
The three main clustered gauges and display were difficult to read in bright sunlight. At night they were terrific with soft blue lighting. The center console was a smooth waterfall within easy reach for operation of important controls, not a button or lever clogged ergonomic mess, which after a short period of acclimation, did not require taking my eyes off the road to use. A quintessential quirk is a little circle on the right side of dash which opened the glove compartment … when it worked.
The navi-screen was not adequate in size and did not require an Oxford Don to explain its operation. The back-up camera has a view equal to the London Eye, but took a bit of time to return to the main screen after backing-up.
Fitting two average size adults in the back seat of the Jag is not quirky, it’s a definite quandary … and the taller the adults the more problematical it is. The back seats are there for show and sell or holding the grandkids chair-seats. Two couples in the car is really not an option.
Driving this Jag will be a wonderfully exhilarating experience for those who really like to drive and feel a car, not just sit and steer. Power comes from a 385 horsepower, 5 liter V8 that generates 380 pounds of torque that will take your breath away with 0 to 60 in just 4.7-seconds speed.
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