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Is Jaguar’s XF good enough to compete with the best???

Agent00J submitted on 05/03/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 7:42 AM
from: www.autospies.com

[52] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Is Jaguar’s XF good enough to compete with the best???

Jaguar has a lot riding on the success of its newest midsize luxury sedan the XF. Initial press has been pretty generous to the newest cat, but the question remains, is it enough to run with, and ultimately beat the best of the class?

In a culture that yearns to have something newer and better than everyone else, the Jaguar certainly has a lot of style and charm going for it. A comprehensive standard equipment list, and aggressive styling combine in a package that while not for everyone, should be able to penetrate the broader market and capture some of the Lexus, Mercedes and BMW buyers.

Aimed squarely at the GS, E-class, 5-Series and even Audi’s A6, the Jaguar has some very worthy competitors. Both the E-class and 5-Series are nearing the end of their current product cycles soon to be replaced with what one can naturally assume to be even better cars than currently available, it begs the question, did Jaguar go far enough to make the XF a true competitor at its price point?

I spent some time this week looking at the Jaguar and pondering the question at hand. The biggest criticism I have of the car is the fact that Jaguar DID NOT put the jumping cat on the hood. There is nothing on the hood to let the world know that this is a Jaguar. In my opinion this was a big mistake on the part of Jaguar.

Are potential buyers at this price point willing to give the cat a chance, and see what it has to offer, or will the Jaguar continue to be a niche player that ultimately results in a collective yawn from the rest of the industry?

We want to know your thoughts. Have you had a chance to look at the Jaguar in person, perhaps drive it or even buy it?

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adamsaf723 - 5/3/2008 8:36:15 AM

+5 Boost

It's a beautiful car, but I don't think we'll know if it's a good value until we see some long-term testing.

This is a major improvement over the S-Type, that's one thing I'm sure everyone can agree on.

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randy33 - 5/5/2008 2:08:38 PM

0 Boost

'Beautiful car'? NO, sorry -- the entire front half of this car is FUGLY. It is Buick-looking and a complete disgrace. The conservative tail cannot make up for the ugliness in the beginning.

pushrod27 - 5/3/2008 8:46:54 AM

+4 Boost

You can, indeed get a 'leaper' statue of the Jaguar on the hood of your XF as a dealer installed optional accessory. I saw an old guy driving a dark green XF in Philadelphia last week, and his had the leaper statue on the hood.

reply to this comment

Agent00J - 5/3/2008 8:54:40 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

My point in making that comment is that Jaguar did not include it from the factory, and since that cat like the 3-pointed star of Mercedes, or the propeller of BMW is part of the overall character of the car, I think it was a mistake to leave off.

LUXCAR32 - 5/3/2008 4:50:33 PM

0 Boost

But like mercedes, on the sportier sedans and coupes they incorporate the emblem into the grill rather than on top of the hood. Jaguar was going for a sporty, fresh, new look so of course they wouldn't want the leaping jaguar on a car thats supposed to be sleek and sporty. They wanted to show that this car is completely different from past sedans. And it's not like the leaping jaguar holds a ton of good memories for current buyers.

Jagexpert2 - 5/3/2008 6:40:04 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

All hood ornaments are now illegal on any redesigned or all new cars in Europe. They were legislated off the cars and come under the pedestrian front impact safety standard rules.

cdoke - 5/3/2008 6:44:31 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

What about the Spirit of Ecstasy?

Monk - 5/4/2008 12:15:16 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

the spirit of ecstasy is supposed to retract if it senses an imminent crash
the mercedes star better stay as an emblem on the sedans...if not, i will be very very very very mad
lol

cdoke - 5/4/2008 1:13:15 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"the spirit of ecstasy is supposed to retract..."

I am aware that it does so, but Jagexpert stated all hood ornaments...which would be tragic.

bmwdrvr - 5/4/2008 9:00:56 AM

+1 Boost

it may be just a factory accesory because the new XJ is available with or without, instead of making it standard its a FACTORY accesory

Jagexpert2 - 5/4/2008 3:05:49 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The Rolls was redesigned before the Hood ornament rules took full effect. So it is still grandfathered.

M35er - 5/3/2008 8:54:56 AM

+1 Boost

I like it but think they blew it on the front. For a luxury brand and especially for a brand like Jaguar, that is a BIG mistake. Otherwise love the lines, back end and interior. Hope it does well. I will consider when the time comes.

reply to this comment

LUXCAR32 - 5/3/2008 4:52:08 PM

0 Boost

agreed, what happened to those amazing headlights shown on the concept, these ones are horrible! I haven't seen the car in person yet, but from pictures they just do not look good.

LUXCAR32 - 5/3/2008 4:52:09 PM

0 Boost

agreed, what happened to those amazing headlights shown on the concept, these ones are horrible! I haven't seen the car in person yet, but from pictures they just do not look good.

Batman219 - 5/3/2008 8:54:59 AM

0 Boost

The XF-C concept was gorgeous but somewhere along the translation from concept to production they f-ed it up.

reply to this comment

1evlaudi - 5/3/2008 11:27:05 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Completely agree with that, once the Ford penny counters came in, that was it. The finished product is somewhat good looking, but nowhere close to the concept.
And it is built like a Ford, I went over that car with a fine tooth comb and the details are terrible; body gaps, finish of the rubber around the door handles, finish of the sheet metals and their paint treatment, you name it.

But you know what, it doesn't matter because people are buying it, so good for Jag.

LUXCAR32 - 5/3/2008 4:54:09 PM

-2 Boost

yeah the interior doesn't exactly scream high quality in the pics. hopefully with the new owners of jag we'll see a slight refresh in a few years that will up the quality.

cdoke - 5/3/2008 6:32:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

You could not be farther from the truth. The interior is very well done. I hate quoting this because it makes me sound like a fan boy but, Autoblogs words on the XF interior- ":The fit, finish and execution are totally unmatched in this highly competitive class and we can say with impunity that nothing short of a Roller or a Bentley comes close to the design and materials inside the XF."

Jagexpert2 - 5/3/2008 6:42:02 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The lights on the concept are not yet legal. They are too narrow at the inside corner to put out enough lumens. so they had to compromise

AUTO_UNION - 5/3/2008 9:04:00 AM

+1 Boost

From the looks alone I say it can compete!

reply to this comment

GinsterCQ - 5/3/2008 9:21:24 AM

0 Boost

I think the looks lost a bit from concept to actual, but nonetheless, a good looking car. I think it is a million times better than the S type ever could be. Personally, I'm a bit disappointed there's no six, but oh well.

I really think the ultimate success is going to based upon reliability and resale value, neither of which Jaguar is known for. If it is as big a piece as the S type, it will not retain value, and once the initial sales boom is over, it'll sell just like the S type did.

reply to this comment

JRobUSC - 5/3/2008 11:14:49 AM

-2 Boost

what does the "even" mean when you say "aimed squarely at the GS, E-class, 5-Series and even Audi’s A6"? The A6 competes with all those cars, too, is the "even" meant to imply something?

reply to this comment

Agent00J - 5/3/2008 12:40:37 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The "even" was not meant to imply anything. I own a A6 in addition to the M3 I drive.

autopro - 5/3/2008 11:27:32 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Its too expensive,and the timing couldn't be worse.I bet they have to offer lease support from the get go.

reply to this comment

Jagexpert2 - 5/3/2008 9:31:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I sold 10 of them by myself last month with no lease support.

cdoke - 5/3/2008 1:30:54 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

"Is Jaguar’s XF good enough to compete with the best???"

Motor Trend recently conducted a comparison study between the XF, the E, the 5 series and the GS. I have only seen the video and have not been able to find it in print yet. They placed the XF first. The results in total were similar to that in the AutoZeitung comparison, but with the E and the XF transposed.

reply to this comment

Jagexpert2 - 5/3/2008 9:32:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

See the video at my site http://www.jaguarnewswire.com/2008/04/jaguar-newswire-motor-trend-has-winner.html

HoofHearted - 5/8/2008 5:41:55 PM

+1 Boost

The German magazines, surprisingly, always seem to put their home-grown products first.

auto001 - 5/3/2008 1:53:34 PM

+1 Boost

I wouldn't say expensive. It's definitely cheaper than the E class, 5 thousand more than GS, and 3 thousand more than A6 quattro (but Audi only has 255hp) and same price as 528i (both with 300hp, but Jag is a V8).

Not too crazy about the front (looks similar to a Legacy) but the overall styling is stunning... Jaguars always had one of best styling (aside from the S-type).

reply to this comment

mpls - 5/3/2008 3:26:22 PM

-4 Boost

XF is not a Jaguar anymore.. the designer copied ideas from many other car manufacturers..

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LUXCAR32 - 5/3/2008 4:58:04 PM

0 Boost

ok comment like that, please give examples, otherwise i just ignore it.

senorgato - 5/3/2008 3:28:35 PM

-1 Boost

It's already got the "been there done that" look about it. It's fairly mundane looking in person. I saw one right in front of an MB CLS and the CLS still looked fresh, new, and exciting. The XF, not so much.

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bmwdrvr - 5/4/2008 9:06:15 AM

+2 Boost

the cls looks good from some angles but it certainly looks dated now i saw one on the road, and they are starting to look dated its not a desighn that ages well. The XF isnt quite as polarizing as the CLS so i imagine it will age better than the CLS,

S4cabriofoxone - 5/3/2008 5:18:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Yes.

When I first saw it on the road (which I have several times now), I was happy (and relieved) to see that it is beautiful. You don't really notice the headlights--it's the overall shape of the car that you can't help but admire. I think it puts every other car in this class to shame.

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lyonboy - 5/3/2008 8:10:08 PM

-6 Boost

I find the XF BLAH and derivative. A little MB CLS, a little Lexus GS, a little Ford Taurus rear window. The interior is straight out of a Lincoln Navigator. The XF is the first Jaguar not to look like a Jaguar, some accomplishment!

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Jagexpert2 - 5/3/2008 9:34:11 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

As usual you are so far off base.

bmwdrvr - 5/4/2008 9:02:31 AM

+2 Boost

actualy your wrong there the Jaguar XF, actually looks alot like a Jaguar Mark X, which had the same mission as the XF in its time

lyonboy - 5/4/2008 1:26:30 AM

-3 Boost

Twelve months from now we will know. Jaguar fans said the new XK was going to save Jaguar, it is selling worse than the previous generation. The XF is selling better than the S-type! Whoa now there is a feat.

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bmwdrvr - 5/4/2008 9:07:32 AM

+3 Boost

is there stats or numbers for that, because from my understanding the Jaguar XK is selling fine

Agent63 - 5/4/2008 4:12:43 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Yes, it's good enough to compete with the best.

Many have criticized the design to look very similar to the Ford Mondeo and I'm 50/50 on that. It doesn't matter, the car has Aston-appeal and a refined interior, much needed for Jaguar.

Two thumbs up!
I'd buy one.

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M53R - 5/4/2008 6:22:36 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

<a href="http://m53r.myautospies.com/users/173/Dubai-Auto-Show-2007/15112007(066).jpg" class="highslide" onclick="return hs.expand(this, {captionId: ''})"><img src="http://m53r.myautospies.com/users/173/Dubai-Auto-Show-2007/15112007(066).jpg" style="width: 540px; border: solid 1px #000000;" alt="" /></a>

I hope this works ^^

Anyways, when I saw the XF in real, I was very impressed.. It had the appeal and agressive stance of an Aston!

reply to this comment

HoofHearted - 5/8/2008 5:35:58 PM

+1 Boost

These ridiculous comments about it being a copy of this and a copy of that hardly deserve reply. In the flesh the XF looks much better than the photo's suggest. To be honest I really think that they missed a golden opportunity to make it look stunning by using the original concept car front, but just take a look inside one - Wow! Stunning! I want one!

ubercool - 5/4/2008 10:49:23 AM

+1 Boost

Everything about this car is bang on the money, the R version will hammer the final nail in the coffin for the competition, can't wait.

Looking forward to seeing a coupe and convertible XF aswell:-)

reply to this comment

lyonboy - 5/4/2008 1:44:54 PM

-3 Boost

247 XK were sold in Marc 07 vs 506 in March 06. The XF is very heavy for its size. The XJ is lighter and much roomier and better looking.

reply to this comment

Jagexpert2 - 5/4/2008 3:11:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Iyon thats was the first month that the XK was on sale. March 2006, so of course it sold more than March 2007. But it is selling well. I know because I sell them. Its our most expensive car and before the XF launch it was our biggest seller. I know thats more a comment on the S the X and the XJ for sure, but it is solid. I am trading in a lot of cars each month on XK's. Especially 6 series, SL's and a ton of Lexus's

Jagexpert2 - 5/4/2008 8:09:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

AUTOCAR SAYS:

Verdict

Job done. In the XF Jaguar has delivered what it so desperately needed: a world-class product. It’s not quite perfect — the packaging is slightly compromised, some niggling fit issues remain, and with just one diesel the range is limited — but even considering these concerns the XF is not only good enough to bring Jaguar success, but also good enough to better the 5-series.
This is due in part to the styling, which is bold and distinctive, and to the slick interior. But mostly it’s because the drivetrain and dynamics shame even BMW and Mercedes. Yes, the diesel engine is not the most potent, but it is refined and precise, and the gearbox works brilliantly with it.
Above all else, though, it is the chassis tuning that defines the XF’s success; the blend of ride comfort, poise and agility is nothing short of a triumph.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 5/4/2008 11:00:44 PM

0 Boost

i like it a lot. i want one with volvo's turbocharged i-6 in it, and a clutch. but i don't expect that volvo i-6 to be seen in this car anytime soon since tata runs things now.

a jaguar without a i-6, though not as sinful as a bimmer without a i-6, is incomplete. i'm sure the v8 performs well, but i prefer a tad more efficiency (for ethical reasons, NOT financial reasons).

i find it funny that EVERYONE on this site seems to think acura will never be taken seriously without a v8, but jaguar can survive without a bread and butter 6 cylinder. seems a tad hypocritical.

i'd have trouble picking between this and a 5 series if i could pick one car. I have a feeling that when the new E-class arrives, the dilemma will worsen.

reply to this comment

Audiphile - 5/5/2008 12:29:49 AM

+3 Boost

The car is lovely both inside and out. I especially like it in the "Emerald Fire" color.

I test-drove it yesterday - and my head didn't hit the ceiling! Hurray! The new transmission selector is great, a lot less confusing than the BMW's automatic gate. The normally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 is more than adequate for everday use. The steering feel is good. I will have to take it out on a track to test the handling.

Add this English rose to my "short list" of car choices this December.

That 4.2-liter V8 is fine for every-day use.

reply to this comment

farabira1 - 5/5/2008 8:27:11 PM

+3 Boost

What is the formula for a successful luxury car:

Looks good
Has a high quality interior
Has plenty of Power
And is reliable

According to JD power reviews, Jaguar has been the most reliable luxury automaker of last 3 or more years, and certainly the XF looks hot and modern(for all those yelling about the front, get over it, i have seen the front and it looks very good, and edgy), the interior is just unmatchable in this class, the car drives well, has good steering feedback, and packs a punch.

So short answer: yes XF has all the right ingredients for making a great selling luxury car.

reply to this comment

ubercool - 5/6/2008 1:52:34 PM

+1 Boost

The XF is awesome.

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Belgocarfan - 5/8/2008 6:19:08 PM

+1 Boost

I think the car mostly looks great but can't help to always think the front end looks like a Chrysler Sebring personally. The prototype was fantasticm, with a much more agressive look in the front. Here's what the front reminds me of now:

http://www.carspace.com/arvin1/Albums/American%20Car%20Album/originals/chrysler-sebring-8017.jpg/photo/v./original.jpg

reply to this comment

Jagexpert2 - 5/8/2008 8:30:30 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Dude you have to be smoking something nasty to think those two cars look anything alike. What a moron!

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