FirstDrive/Jaguar XF:Jaguar's new XF will bring the brand back to fight against the big boys. Alistair Weavergets behind the wheel in Arizona.
And so here it is. After the concept, the unveil, the technical briefings and all the hype, the new Jaguar XF is sitting before me on a chilly morning in Phoenix, Arizona. The venue seems somehow appropriate. The XF is the car that must drag Jaguar from the flames and help re-establish itself as a genuine alternative to BMW, Mercedes and Audi.
After 20 years of chronic mismanagement and with the company up for sale, Jaguar is taking a bold step into something approaching the 21st century. The much-derided retro-styling of the old S-type is gone, to be replaced by something self-consciously modern.
The most interesting feature is the nose. The distinctive new grille pays homage to the Series 2 of 1958, but the nod to the past will be lost on most. There are also traditional Jaguar cues in the bonnet, headlights and shoulder line, but, once again, they're not exactly easy to spot. The overall effect is striking and nicely proportioned, but few will recognise it as a Jaguar. Given its recent sales performance, this might not be such a bad thing.
Its self-conscious modernity has drawn comparison with rival models. Study the silhouette and you'll be struck by how similar it appears to the Lexus GS range, while the tapered tail has more than a hint of Aston Martin - not surprising given that Jaguar's director of design, Ian Callum, penned the DB9.
If the exterior is radical, the interior is nothing short of a revelation. The wood and leather remain, but they've been joined by aluminium. The latter is a nod to the original, woodless E-type and it contributes to a cabin that's more appealing than any other Jaguar. It feels different, welcoming and luxurious.
There are some intriguing novelties. When you step into the car, the starter button pulses red, mimicking the beat of a heart.
Give it a prod and the air vents swivel into place and the gearknob rises to greet the hand of the driver. It's what Callum calls the car's "handshake" and while cynics will dismiss such theatrics as a pointless gimmick, it is rather fun.
The attention to detail is terrific. The glovebox is opened by a touch-sensitive button modelled on a Who album cover of the 1960s. The main control panel also employs touch technology and remarkably easy to use. Such details matter.
The only key criticism inside concerns the rear room. While there's adequate legroom, the car's coupé-like profile compromises the headroom. Anyone over 6ft will find their head playing footsy with the roof lining.
The old S-type was a surprisingly good car to drive and Jaguar has to carry this dynamic prowess forwards into the more overtly sporting XF. Our test car was the flagship SV8, which features both a supercharged 4.2-litre V8 and Cats electronic damping. The latter is designed to help combine a cosseting low speed ride with improved body control at high speed.
And it works. On American roads, the XF proved a comfortable cruiser. There's less wallow in the suspension than you'd find in Jaguar's of old or even the current XJ, but taut body control shouldn't be mistaken for discomfort. It also handles with enough flair to justify the "sports saloon" claims. The SV8 isn't an overtly sporting R model - that arrives later - but it is entertaining. There's lots of grip, the steering is nicely weighted and it feels impressively agile.
This is an engaging car to drive and should you overstep the mark, then all manner of electronic aids will lend a helping hand.
The SV8 shares its 416bhp engine with the XKR coupé, so it's not exactly short of thrust. Give the throttle a kick and the XF will scurry to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. It sounds good too, with the characteristic supercharger whine competing with a deep bass V8 rumble.
But there is a trade off. Drive it hard and the fuel consumption will drop to less than 15mpg. Even in normal cruising conditions, you'll struggle to better 14 L/100km and this means a trip to the filling station every 400kms.
The 2.7-litre turbodiesel manages 7.7 L/100km and is likely to prove the more popular model in Europe, where it will be joined by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol and a normally-aspirated 4.2-litre V8. All are familiar and all will be mated to Jaguar's excellent six-speed automatic, which features steering-wheel mounted paddles for sequential-shift control.
Although we'll wait until we've driven the car in Ireland to make a definitive judgement as to whether the XF can topple the benchmark BMW 5-Series, it is a key contender. By the time the car goes on sale next March, Jaguar might have a new owner, but they can be reassured that the most important car in the company's history is also one of the best.