Refinement has always been Jaguar's signature, and the XF which has been around for a while now typifies that.
This is the three litre diesel and what a ripper of an engine .
I drove the smaller 2.2 litre diesel elsewhere in this blog and loved its smoothness and torque.
The bigger V6 diesel is an astonishingly sophisticated powerplant.
It's only rival in the smoothness stakes is Audi's 3 litre TDi.
The big Jag's diesel develops 202 kw and 600 nm of torque.
That's just a whisker below the grunt of the F-Type V8 in the previous post.
You would never know the XF is a diesel.There's no rattle at idle and under acceleration or on the highway.. it's utterly quiet and serene.It really is quite an incredible feat of engineering.
Plant the right foot to the floor and the big cat surges forward, lifting the bonnet as it does so with a delicious shove in the back.Reaching 100 kmh in 5.9 seconds.
So much grunt yet so little thirst. The XF 3.0 D will sip fuel at an average of just 6 litres per 100 kilometres.The only minor annoyance was a stop/ start idle fuel saving feature that was way too sensitive, Just light pressure on the brake saw it constantly kick in and out within a second or two while the car was at rest.
Ride quality is excellent even on this S version with 255/35/20" low profile rubber, and the XF powers through corners as if they weren't there.
The interior of the test car was trimmed in a delightful cream leather with distinctive grey highlights. Chilled and heated front seats a useful novelty.
Head and leg room in the cabin is more than adequate.
While the dashboard isn't new it still remains fresh, and the theatre of the rising circular gear selector and air vent opening never fails to entertain.
At just 95 K the XF three litre diesel is great value especially when considering its power, comfort and economy.
Peter Sellen
Having sampled the F-Type V6 S roadster last year, I was very eager to get behind the wheel of the V8 version.
This time it's the coupe and what a marvellous beast it is.
Stunningly styled and every curve in the right place.
It's like its E-Type predecessor.."sex on wheels."
The 5 Litre engine develops a giant 404 kw, and 680 nm of torque..
Like its V6 sibling the V 8 is supercharged.
But it's the sound of the engine that will blow you away.
It's not like the deep throaty bellow of high performance V8's from Ford or Holden, but a snarling, crackling,snapping high pitched wail that simply assaults the senses.(Especially when the extra "loud" button is selected on the console.)
I left it on the entire time during my week with the sporty cat.
Driving through the Adelaide hills tunnels or any tunnel,is just pure joy.
Select a lower gear and gun it through the eight speed auto, and you'll be stunned at the crackling cacophany from the four tailpipes as it soars towards its 6,500 rpm redline.
It will put a grin on your face a mile wide.
Each time you swap a cog with the steering wheel paddles there's a glorious explosive bark from the pipes, like a Golf GTi on steroids!
On overrun downhill, the sound is equally intoxicating.
Acceleration from rest is simply brutal.
The V8 slams you back in your seat,reaching 100 kmh in 4.2 seconds.
Over 114 kmh, a bootlid spoiler rises automatically to steady the car as it heads towards it's top speed of 300 kmh. It can also be manually selected.
Considering its towering performance,the V8's fuel consumption averages around 11 litres per 100 kilometres.
Apart from the mechanical attractions as mentioned before, the Coupe is stunningly styled.
A head turner in spades, drawing admiring glances everywhere I drove it.
Despite riding on thirty series low profile tyres on 20 " rims, the ride is excellent and quite comfortable. Like Mercedes Benz, seat adjustment buttons can be found on the doors, not the seats themselves.The seats also have adjustable side bolsters to keep you in place during spirited cornering.
Steering is pin sharp and the Jag corners with astonishing poise.
Room inside the cabin is a bit tight but there's no shortage of legroom,
Overhead you get a panoramic glass roof, which lessens the slightly cramped feel.
Storage in the cabin is minimal but enough for odds and ends in a bin behind the seats and in door pockets.
The dashboard and console layout is identical to the roadster version. A reversing camera is optional but a good idea as rearward visibility is somewhat restricted by the large sweeping C pillars.
Access to the boot is good, via a powered hatch. Unlike the tiny boot in the roadster,once open there's ample room (with judicious packing) of several items of light luggage around the centrally placed spare wheel.
There's no wiper on the rear glass however.
If the adrenaline rush of the F-Type V8 R coupe is not enough for you.. there's an AWD version coming soon to Australia.
The F-Type V8 R coupe sells for 226K.
You'd be hard pressed not be thrilled with its incredible looks and performance.
Peter Sellen
