Jaguar XF SV8 review

Jag_xfr submitted on 12/14/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 7:55 AM
from: www.autocar.co.uk

Tags: jaguar xf bmw 5-series mercedes e-class audi a6 lexus gs

jaguar xf bmw 5-series mercedes e-class audi a6 lexus gs

Jaguar XF SV8 review

It’s Jaguar’s new design hero – the S-type is dead, long live the XF. But does it drive like it looks?

The XF’s all-new shape has successfully jumped a couple of design generations to re-establish modernity as a core value at Jaguar for the first time since Sir William Lyons was in charge.

And the first question I had was answered before we left the car park: this car is as fine to behold in the real world as it was on the motor show stand. Better looking even. As our test car stood in the parking area of Jaguar’s Paradise Valley test base in Arizona, where we were provided with our first drive in the car, the delicacy of its graceful shape made the cars around it look coarse and ordinary.

The ante, then, had been upped before we’d even set out. Can the XF’s behind-the-wheel experience match its incredible fusion of beauty, grace and visual endeavour?

What’s it like?
"Drive", they said. So I did. In the 4.2-litre, 420bhp, supercharged V8 version of the Jaguar XF — called SV8 — with the 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and governed top speed of 155 mph. It’s due on sale in March at the competitive starting price of £54,900, and orders are already building.

The length and confidence of the long lines that define its coupe-like body (the front and rear screen rake angles are almost identical to the XK coupe’s) make the car seem low, but it isn’t. You slip as easily behind the wheel as you do in any other modern car.

The driver’s bucket seat looks a little meagre and uninviting, but luckily it’s the only unprepossessing feature of the entire interior. In any case, it’s quite comfortable in a class-average sort of way. Cabin space turns out to be class average, too. I can sit comfortably behind a driver's seat set for myself, but it’s a snug fit for four full-sized adults.

Press the SV8’s starter button and two things happen. The engine fires and settles to a smoothly distant V8 beat, and the transmission’s rotary switch, until now flush with the console top, grows upward. Twist it to D, and the car creeps off the mark like any big-engined auto. If all you want is a smooth power delivery, that is all you need ever do.

But if you’re a keen driver, the SV8’s transmission offers plenty of options. One is to twist the transmission to “Drive-Sport”, which holds gears longer and provides better engine braking. Beyond that, you can start using the paddle-shifts manually. Work them at any time, either to hold gears, or just to hear the F1-style automated engine blip.

On top of that, the SV8 has a Dynamic Mode which reconfigures the transmission for quicker shifts and yet sportier use of the engine. The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is also altered to a special Track setting that allows you to play the hero by allowing a whiff of on-limit sliding in corners before intervening.

The mighty V8 is the car’s focal point, of course, providing copious amounts of smooth thrust almost in silence at low revs, but with a satisfying rumble when bigger demands are made.

Our test route was dogged by the threat of motorcycle cops, but it was still fun to soar along sinuous, smooth-surfaced canyon roads with the engine turning between 3500rpm and the 6250 redline, millimetre movements of the fingertips dictating which gear you’d use. This will prove, we believe, to be one of the XF’s defining features.

Handling? The supercharged XF feels just like an XK8, which is no wonder because it has the same suspension components, maybe re-rated for saloon duty, but just as good as the sports car.

It drives like a powerful and wide-tracked rear-drive car, with fundamentally neutral handling that graduates to a small amount of stabilising understeer in the fastest corners. The SV8 will tail-slide in a stable and predictable way under full power in 50-60 mph corners, but only on deliberate command. There’s a precision and a faithfulness about this car’s controls that belies its size and weight, and makes it feel as agile as a small car.

The steering, especially, is brilliant, weighted nicely with a delicious helping of feel just beside the straight-ahead. It flatters your judgement by cornering perfectly on the line you chose going in. Predictability can be an unflattering term, but applied to the XF it’s a synonym for precision.

So it handles, but what about the ride? Jaguar meant to build a sports saloon in the spirit of the Mk2, and has followed through. What is impressive is the way the car stays flat, how it absorbs ripples, how its primary ride preserves body control, and how it never allows ruts to get through to the occupants, despite its firmness.

Should I buy one?
On first acquaintance, the XF comes across as a remarkably good car. It comes in a well-priced, simple-to-understand echelon of models — four engines, three trim levels — with a luxurious entry spec and a deep inventory of gadgets to suit every taste.

Of course, the XF still has much to prove. It will meet a German rival for a bit of preliminary sparring in the 2 January issue of Autocar, and pretty soon we’ll drive it on home turf. Then we’ll really know if it’s a title contender.

What of the “drives like it looks” claim? On evidence so far gathered I’d offer a slogan of my own. Looks great, drives even better.

Steve Cropley
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DaHarder - 12/14/2007 9:33:02 AM

+5 Boost

Gorgeous - inside and out

The lines have a certain 'feline' quality to them, yet still look very modern/forward-thinking.

The fact that it's quick, fast and a sweet drive is the icing on a very delicious cake.

Great Job Jaguar!

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Jagexpert2 - 12/14/2007 3:47:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

wrong wrong wrong! new chassis, new everythig. Yes its the same ingine but its a great engine. The zf transmition is fantastic. Better than the one BMW uses made by Hydramatic.(General Motors.

New drive by wire shift linkages new nav. new Ipod interface new seats new body 25 different kinds of hight strngth steels in the chassis.

Hmmm!

Jagexpert2 - 12/14/2007 3:50:17 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Sorry I was responding to SEVOR.

kablaam - 12/17/2007 4:24:01 PM

+1 Boost

FYI BMW has been using ZF transmissions since 1960. They source parts from many manufacturers.....it's what car companies do these days. If im not mistaken all of the auto 6's are sourced from ZF.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/14/2007 10:48:33 AM

-10 Boost

I think it looks bad. This is not a Jaguar, this is what Americans want. A car full of useless toys so any fat American can think he is James Bond.

And don't forget almost nothing about this car is really new. The chassis, the engines, the gearbox,.. all carryovers..

No, I don't like this car AT ALL.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 5:23:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"I think it looks bad. This is not a Jaguar, this is what Americans want. A car full of useless toys so any fat American can think he is James Bond."

You should be ashamed.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/14/2007 6:16:56 PM

-6 Boost

But he is correct.

The problem with Ford is that they think the USA is the centre of the world. There is a reason Americans pay a Huge Premium on Imported Vehicles { MB, BMW, AUDI, RR, Rolls Royce, Bentley......}

It is because the imports are designed and built differently to the vehicles made in the USA. if they wanted a Lincoln or Caddilac they would buy one, what ford has done here is made a Lincoln Quality Vehicle and stuck a jaguar Badge on it and it will not wash, a few fools will purchase it initially but watch the sales flop quickly.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 11:32:31 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

"The problem with Ford is that they think the USA is the centre of the world."

Oh, really? Just when I was thinking you Europeans got all the best products... you hit me with THAT! How convincing!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/15/2007 7:07:24 AM

-6 Boost

S4 Relax

LOL

The rest of my post will explain my position if you can rein in your temper enough to finish reading it.

I agree with you that it is quite ironic that europe gets better ford products that the USA but i think that is because they would have gone out of business completely if Ford Europe was also making a Loss, and that would be guaranteed if they tried to sell the Ford USA line of vehicles over here.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/15/2007 11:00:19 AM

-5 Boost

""I think it looks bad. This is not a Jaguar, this is what Americans want. A car full of useless toys so any fat American can think he is James Bond."

You should be ashamed."

I'm not. This is the truth. I spoke to a bloke at the IAA Frankfurt and he said Jaguar is aiming for the American market and waving goodbye to the European market.

Europeans don't like it. At least not the looks of it.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/15/2007 12:14:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Then why are there 3,000 orders alone in the UK?

Wait until you see it on the road, please.

BTW... the Phaeton also has swiveling air vents. It was designed for YOUR market.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/15/2007 5:14:14 PM

-6 Boost

S4

Do you know how many americans are in the UK ?

Answer: Very Many.

I am not kidding when i tell you we do not like this vehicle, even with Jeremy Clarkson trying to convince us it is great.

Usually when a New Vehicle is launched in this segment, a bunch of my friends and clients have them on order {12-18 month leases keep new options not too far away}

Such as the 535d Sport my girlfriend had or the CLS my friend had........ the list is endless.

Not one client or friend of mine has one on order, not even their friends.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/16/2007 1:11:55 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

"Do you know how many americans are in the UK ?

Answer: Very Many."

Oh, please. Great excuse. I should've expected something of that caliber, but I thought you were better than this.

Wow, so it has swiveling air vents. I thought this was tacky, also, but please, please, please, try to appreciate this car as a whole. It has excellent performance, a beautifully crafted interior, opulent space for four, elegantly contemporary style and a not-too-steep price tag. THAT's why I want one, not for the popup shifter.

"I am not kidding when i tell you we do not like this vehicle, even with Jeremy Clarkson trying to convince us it is great."

What is this "we?" I don't think you represent the British (or European!) population at all. Numbers speak loudest and clearest, and you overlooked the 3,000 orders in the UK that I stated. Wow, your friends' clients don't have them on order! That must mean that nobody wants one!

I am simply sick of the European attitudes on this site. You think you're better than us because you think we think we're better than you? Well, I don't think I'm better than anybody. We're in this together. Make the best of it.

BTW, we ARE you. The American culture is the culmination of countless other international cultures... there is no one defining characteristic of an American. We are Europeans, we are Asians, we are Africans, we are South Americans, and yes, we're North Americans. Deal with it!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/16/2007 7:32:55 PM

-3 Boost

Better ??

It seems you have an inferiority complex, i never said anything about Europeans being better.

I told you it was a lincoln Quality Vehicle with a Jaguar Badge.
I told JagSalesman that all his rants are meaningless without time proving them.
The Ford and America thing was a slight dig which you took too seriously and i even tried to placate you with my next comment.

Where did you find the We are better than you meaning in my post ?

Different vehicles are aimed at different markets and this is very clearly aimed at the USA market, Nothing wrong with that, it just means that they loose a few buyers over here and gain a few over there.

How some get so sensitive over other peoples' opinion of a vehicle astounds me. You like it, Jag Lover likes It, I dont, neither does Servor Big Bloody Deal.

I like jaguar, I came to quite like the S-Type V8 in 2002 while in the USA, I just happen to not like the current XK and now the XF, I have no problem with holding an opinion thats in the minority, it will neither make nor break Jaguar.

And the Infantile de-boosting by somebody who felt threatened by the posters who decided not to join the collective praise for the XF proves how shallow their attraction to the XF must be. They have to de-boost others to feel good about their position on a topic.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/16/2007 7:36:22 PM

-3 Boost

3000 orders is nothing

A huge chunk of it is from Fleet Sales.
Go check it up, I will not provide my source.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/17/2007 1:52:34 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"Where did you find the We are better than you meaning in my post ?"

Perhaps your defense of Sevor's rude comment? It was obviously condescending.

"You like it, Jag Lover likes It, I dont, neither does Servor Big Bloody Deal."

It wasn't that that made me angry. I don't care about whether you like it or not. But 1, you refuse to like it because you think it's aimed at the American market. And 2, you refuse to see the car's qualities because you think it's aimed at the American market! Like I said, you don't represent the continent of Europe! Watch sales skyrocket over there as well as over here and then talk to me!

ThierryHenry14 - 12/14/2007 11:07:09 AM

-2 Boost

Besides the new face and tail, the car looks kinda bland.

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1995e34 - 12/14/2007 12:15:31 PM

-1 Boost

good start. now scale it down, and make amends for the x-type mess. the volvo i-6 is waiting for another pal.

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supermoto - 12/14/2007 2:12:30 PM

-8 Boost

Terrible direction for Jag. Way too much Lexus imitation. Instead the AM Rapide is what should be imitated.

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DaHarder - 12/14/2007 2:27:00 PM

+5 Boost

Jaguar need not 'imitate' any automaker as its record of penning beautifully distinctive designed/styled vehicles is unmatched by any other.

If you see Lexus in the XF-series - so be it - but the more discerning observer sees 'heritage' design moving in the right direction (for Jaguar) with is effort.

Jag_xfr - 12/14/2007 2:25:36 PM

+2 Boost

I am amazed how many people have posted messages but seem to work at Lexus & BMW dealers etc...

Come on guys this car is close to perfection!!!

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/15/2007 11:02:28 AM

0 Boost

It isn't. I'm sorry.

The last real Jag is the XJ.

Jag_xfr - 12/14/2007 2:43:00 PM

+1 Boost

Take a look at this review below,

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/motors/ken_gibson/article580478.ece

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Jag_xfr - 12/14/2007 2:45:08 PM

+1 Boost

Some more great reviews below,

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=123948?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0803_2009_jaguar_xf_supercharged/

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chuck717 - 12/14/2007 3:43:21 PM

+2 Boost

Drive down the street the car shows money, the neighbors won't look at it except out of the corner of their eye thus the verdict>>> the car is a hit.

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Jag_xfr - 12/14/2007 3:44:27 PM

0 Boost

Here is a link for a video of the standard diesel XF, enjoy my friends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3E439U7HOU

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Jagexpert2 - 12/14/2007 3:53:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Hi Jag. They havent seen it in the flesh like we have. I keep telling them that they are going to to the same 180 about face thay did when they were all panning the XK before its launch.

Just wait. Oh and by the way when you all see it in person and change your minds and say oh!, now I get it, that looks great in person. Please come here and tel me and Jag Xfr and me that you were wrong and that you are sorry!

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1995e34 - 12/14/2007 4:02:08 PM

+2 Boost

i think most people already do like it.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 5:24:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

When I first saw the concept, I fell in love, but then I saw the production version and was disappointed.

Now that I'm reading about it, I'm falling in love again. It's firmly on my list!

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1995e34 - 12/14/2007 5:28:45 PM

+1 Boost

are you having hot flashes?

DaHarder - 12/15/2007 12:11:55 AM

+5 Boost

^ This post is nothing more than a rehashed rant heard here a thousand times before. It reeks of unintelligibility. All posts like this are largely inane... it's a fact. This dribble is no different. Crappy Job There Bud!

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ym73 - 12/15/2007 6:28:25 PM

+2 Boost

Ford is no longer in charge and there are no ford parts in this car. You seriously need to get your eyes checked. Load a picture of a Taurus and XF next to each other. They look nothing alike.

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chuck717 - 12/14/2007 7:22:29 PM

+1 Boost

Believe it or not there are some nice looking "old grandfathers" in the world and some awful looking younger people?

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cdoke - 12/14/2007 11:45:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

You you really believe that in the rational sense or are you just writing such things either because they reinforce your pre-conceived notions or buttress your previous choices?

Of course, not matter what you say your comment suggests a certain answer.

Say what you will, but there are certain interesting things about hte XF interior. For example, it is the only car in its class with a stitched leather dash.

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cdoke - 12/14/2007 11:50:25 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That should be "Do you really believe..."

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cdoke - 12/15/2007 12:09:39 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Honestly, I don't know why I am having such difficuly typing latey. I must come off as a fool.

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Rupert - 12/16/2007 4:52:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

latey???

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cdoke - 12/16/2007 5:01:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

LOL.

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EL34 - 12/14/2007 7:30:54 PM

+2 Boost

I am seriously thinking of leasing this cool new Jag :)

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mini22 - 12/14/2007 8:44:51 PM

+2 Boost

You know what the bottom line is what the general public thinks. It matters little whether we like it or not. I happen to like it.(I admit I liked the front end of the concept better).Yet I respect those who don't.So it looks a little like a Lexus. The general public will view this as a luxury car and I think they will like it's interior,like the way it rides and handles. Certainly the UK likes it with over 3000 orders.

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germeezy2 - 12/14/2007 8:50:54 PM

-4 Boost

its a horrible interpretation of the concept

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rconn14 - 12/14/2007 9:48:36 PM

-3 Boost

ive never seen the appeal of a sedan this size
i personally want something the size of an A4/3-series, and if i was going to be spending this kind of money on a car i would rather spend it on an S4/RS4/M3 saloon than on something longer, less agile, and less involving to drive - just so my kids could be a bit more comfortable. If i want the backseat to be comfortable, ill get an A8/XJ/7, but certainly at this price point a smaller, sportier saloon always looks like a better option in my book.

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rconn14 - 12/14/2007 9:49:27 PM

+2 Boost

and if im a geriatric im just going to get a buick anyway

bmwdrvr - 12/14/2007 11:14:34 PM

+2 Boost

this size car is to big, but if you need more room than the compact sedans you would jump to the full size cars....does that make sense?

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2007 11:35:22 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Well, some people need the SPACE that a compact car can't offer, and maybe they can't AFFORD the full-size sedans. For them, midsizers work. That's why they are staples in most luxury manufacturers' lineups. Although not the most exciting luxury cars available, these cars do everything quite well and sell well for that reason.

ym73 - 12/15/2007 6:25:36 PM

+2 Boost

I saw this car at the LA auto show too. It was on the turn table and it look great. I will admit the front is the weakest feature. They should have left the head lights alone from the C-XF. Even with the less the perfect front, it looks way better than the competition (E class, 5 series, gs). The german cars might perform well, but honestly they are not very exciting to look at. This car is also better equiped at each price point. I can't wait to test drive it. I'm pretty sure this will be my next car.

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Jag_xfr - 12/15/2007 5:36:55 AM

+2 Boost

Shut up with the BS children! This car is the new benchmark and is seriously cool...

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/15/2007 7:12:21 AM

-2 Boost

We will only take you seriously in about 30 months when the sales figures are better than the BMW 550 and E550 and the Audi A6 and the Lexus GS........

Need I Go On ?

Jag_xfr - 12/15/2007 9:27:01 AM

+4 Boost

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - Anyone with an IQ greater than 75 can see that this car is the best in it's class by miles, why don't you just leave this site in peace and go back to your Toys 'R' Us forum!!!!!!!!!

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/15/2007 12:16:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I mean, I can finally see how you're not fully trolling. Apparently the XF really does EVERYTHING well. It's quite impressive.

How much will it cost for the SV8?

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/15/2007 5:21:21 PM

-3 Boost

Toys R Us forum ?

Ok then

I guess you need everyone to agree with your Sales Pitch in order to feel good for the day.

Read my Post

The Jag is Cheaper than similar powered Competition from AUDI, MB & BMW so if and when there are yearly sales figures from Jaguar showing the XF doing well against the Competition then i will accept that the public hold an opposing view to mine on the looks & desirability of the XF.

I do not claim to know what the USA populace think about the XF, i only tell you of what my UK and European Friends tell me.

So stop trying to shoot the Messenger.

ym73 - 12/15/2007 6:34:17 PM

+2 Boost

Did your UK friend see this car in person or did they see pictures on the net? This car does look better in person, mainly because they use the silver color in the pictures and it flaten out the convex & concave surface areas. They guy in the article is right, silver doesn't look great on this car.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/16/2007 8:00:10 PM

-4 Boost

Little things tell a lot on vehicles, the fact that Jaguar decided to put those tips on the Round & Long Exhaust Pipes makes me think of Poor Window Dressing, IMO you should not see such things on a High End Model, and if i am correct you do not see such on the BMW 5-Series or Audi A6 or the MB E-class, Hell, even the Lexus GS has better integrated exhaust Tips.

Click on the Picture of the XF rear above so it is enlarged, low look at the Exhaust and tell me that if you are driving behind one of those you would not wonder why there was such little thought given to that simple element ?

I firmly hold the opinion that if you are going to sell me a product, especially if you are going to sell me a product as a Sporting one, it should not have anything on it which is not functional as it is just something that will break or fail during hard driving and this Exhaust Tip is one of those things which is clearly an Afterthought, a bad one at that and i always hold the opinion that if i can spot oversights easily on the exterior, there must be much more in the sections the average consumer cannot see, this is in the Mechanicals and i do not take these things lightly, I drive Very Fast and so if i am not sure about some vehicle, I stay away.

Wing mirrors are same on Volvo V8 and New Mondeo, I don't like the Star-Trek Rotary Knob Gear selector and I didnt like the New Shifter on the New X5 either.

So far I did not say the car is completely rubbish, i just feel the direction is wrong and very soon the Marketing Hype will wear off and the hulabaloo will subside.

Jag_xfr - 12/15/2007 1:14:54 PM

+2 Boost

£55k for the Supercharged SV8, worth every penny!

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cdoke - 12/15/2007 1:39:24 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

-or-

$62,975 US.

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S4cabriofoxone - 12/15/2007 4:27:39 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Is that the final price? That's actually quite reasonable, and it comes standard with just about everything. Yes, I will be test driving it. What about you, cdoke? Open to "The New Jaguar?"

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/15/2007 5:23:43 PM

-1 Boost

Im sure it will be available at Hertz Miami in the New Year

LMAO

ym73 - 12/15/2007 6:42:23 PM

+1 Boost

That include everything except the heated stearing wheel (who needs this anyway?) and the adaptive cruise control.

cdoke - 12/15/2007 7:48:10 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Well S4, I think I shall wait until I see the new XJ before I make any serious decisions. I will go look at it, sure, but not in a throughly serious manner.

Jagexpert2 - 12/15/2007 10:16:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

CDOKE been to My site lately? It much better.

cdoke - 12/15/2007 10:20:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

I have been actually. In fact the information on your site caused me to draw the same basic conclusion that farabira1 states below. All of the (several) review thus far are basically love letters.

cdoke - 12/15/2007 10:58:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I have to admit that I am a little surprised how positive the reviews have been; and it's not just one or two good reviews, there are multiple accolades for the Jaguar.

Jay Leno's video was nice:

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/new_car_reviews/article3051325.ece

cdoke - 12/15/2007 11:01:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Let's try that last one again, shall we?

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/new_car_reviews/
article3051325.ece

farabira1 - 12/15/2007 9:54:31 PM

+3 Boost

The reviews are coming in and all of them rate this car as much better than it's german rivals. fast cat that deals it in hot style. fantastic drive comes with with the jaw dropping beauty, for this car will leave its mark for certain, in the days to come. The future is bright and crisp as the sun of the autumn morning. OK guys, i am just joking, was trying to make a poetry. To me, this absolute bada** mean machine is just ultracool.

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Jagexpert2 - 12/15/2007 11:58:30 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

I thank you for staying with my site. I am trying to make it interesting for everyone. Its tough to draw people. But slowly I have a subscriber base building.

As for the car. Like I said when I saw it in person I was wowed. I really wasn't kidding. Its so true that its much better in person, although the Motor tren pics were probably the best yet.

As for the Jay Leno thing I was surprised I found it first beforwe all the Autospies hounds did.LOL

Keep going to the site I'll update as much as I can. Also we will have a car at the dealership on the 15th on Jan. It will only be there for 3 hours. Invitation only. but I cant wait to see more of my customers react.

I really think Jaguar has it right with XK and XF so it will be exciting to see what the new XJ will be in 18 months.

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cdoke - 12/16/2007 12:48:42 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Jagexpert,

I find your site more informative on Jaguar than any other I visit.

I recently read that Jaguar will only produce the XF to order in order to keep residual values up. Is this a trend for all of Jaguar? I have noticed for example that neither of the two dealerships here acutally maintain very many models on the lots.

In addition, did you read the information on Jaguar and Land Rover's new state-of-the-art 3D design center? Consisting of "eight Sony SRX-S105 projectors,...each one having four times the resolution of HD" We use these types of visualization techniques in petroleum engineering (specifically reservoir engineering) to optimize reservoir extraction.

I think that ours are probably more powerful in that the simulation mechanisms that go into them are computationally intensive depending on the number of cells (finite elements) used for reservoir characterization and flow modeling. I have visited several such places, and they are usually powered by some massive Cray super-computer. In fact, my Alma Mater (as of this last Friday) will soon be getting a 15 teraflop supercomputer that will be used for energy research including reservoir studies. It will be one of the top 100 most powerful supercomputers on earth.

...but I digress.

Jag_xfr - 12/16/2007 7:16:39 AM

+1 Boost

Another brilliant XF review on the German Car Zone website,

http://www.germancarzone.com/more-european-cars/21034-%5Btopgear%5D-jaguar-xf.html

Looks like Jaguar have two cars which are clearly the best in their class(XK & XF).

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Jagexpert2 - 12/16/2007 8:51:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

fastonekiller,

if it ain't broke.....

Jagexpert2 - 12/16/2007 4:35:35 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Hi CDOKE,

Thanks for the compliment I try to keep the site fresh and informative.

As for the trend of making the Jags to order, you are close to correct. When I we tot work for Jaguar we carried close to 200 cars at any given time. Note that we are one of the biggest highest volume jag dealers on the east coast. But that being said we probably have 80 cars at this moment.

Jaguar has realized that even though we compete in an arena with Lexus BMW and Merc. and Porsche we are also competing with cars such as Maseratti, Bentley and Aston Martin when it comes to public perception.

Price point competition with the former and perception competition with the latter. So we are in a bit of a transitional period. We will be competing with the upper echelon more and more. Therefore the Jags wil become more rare & harder to find by just going to the lot.

This is by design.
1) to keep residuals high and maximize trade in values.
2) to keep supply and demand as even as possible
3) to maximize profit on fewer cars
4) change public perception to understand that its worth the wait (when cars are not on the lot) to get what you want
5) To raise the prestige level by employing these market forces and marketing the cars as special compared to the competition. (which they are.)

As of now Jaguar produces under 100,000 cars a year and the public expects jaguar to compete with million car producers on price and payment. Our production costs are much higher per unit simply as a function of that production reality.

However Porsche makes a lot of money per unit with similar production because they rarely discount. This is happening more and more with us. Why should I have to incentivise an XK when they produce so few of them and they are great cars that are holding value like crazy? I shouldn't have to and I haven't had to.

As for only selling them by order thats not true. There will always be cars available on spec, unless the supply for the XF outstrips demand. Which could happen.

I'll let you know.

As for the Virtual design center I posted that in my blog several days ago.
http://www.jaguarnewswire.com/2007/12/jaguar-newswire-jaguar-and-land-rover.html

I'll let you know

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iamdabest1 - 12/16/2007 8:31:30 PM

+1 Boost

are you guys retarded ?
this car is beautiful !
compare it to the cars it competes with the bmw 5, audi a6, mercedes E , lexus GS. i think its a great car. definitely better looking than all the cars i mentioned ( it is newer) it probably drives worse BUT, we all know, most people who buy cars in this level of luxury dont look much at performance.

they look at style, comfort, convenience and price.

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Jagexpert2 - 12/16/2007 8:50:14 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Actually from the reviews this car drives better then the competition

S4cabriofoxone - 12/17/2007 1:56:50 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Both. That's the beauty of it, and that's why I'm interested. All of the reviews have described an incredible combination of awesome handling and excellent ride quality. The styling, interior and price are just added bonuses...

xj13 - 12/17/2007 1:01:45 AM

+3 Boost

If it's good enough for Jay Leno, it's good enough for me.

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Jagexpert2 - 12/17/2007 4:46:48 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Nuff said

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