Jaguar claims that its new Jaguar XF fuses the style and performance of a sports car with the refinement, space and sophistication of a luxury saloon. This could be the beginning of a new era for Jaguar.
True to the Jaguar philosophy of creating beautiful, fast cars, the XF goes further, adding a new dimension to the marque. The four-door XF has the visual excitement of a coupé, but room inside for five adults to enjoy an interior wholly contemporary in style yet uniquely Jaguar.
As well as space, the new XF's interior ambience is enriched by crafted, luxurious materials, sophisticated instruments and calm interior mood lighting.
And Jaguar's intelligent use of technology and driver-friendly touch-screen controls add new layers of comfort and ease of use.
Every XF model has shift-by-wire transmission control, with Jaguar's sequential shift system - its popularity already confirmed by feedback from XK sports car customers - used for the first time in a saloon. Shift-by-wire replaces manual shift linkages with electronic commands and gives every XF rapid and very smooth gearshifts - faster even than the acclaimed XK's transmission.
The Jaguar sequential shift system gives the driver the option of one-touch manual gear change control via steering-wheel mounted paddles. There are also multiple Jaguar Drive Control transmission modes, including dynamic and winter settings, which interact with throttle progression, dynamic stability control thresholds and shift strategy to match mood and conditions.
But the most exciting feature of the XF's transmission control is the all-new Jaguar drive selector - an industry-first rotary shift interface that combines precise, intuitive control with space-saving packaging, to allow maximisation of interior storage options.
Other innovative functional features add more 'surprise and delight'. Air-conditioning vents present a flush dashboard surface until the ignition is switched on, at which point they elegantly rotate to the open position. Another new technology - Jaguar Sense - introduces touch or proximity-sensing control for overhead console lights and the glove box release.
Every level of audio system features at least eight speakers, with a premium system designed in association with highly respected audio specialist Bowers and Wilkins available on range-topping models. Radio options now include a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system, while the XF technology count includes Bluetooth communications technology, plus optional iPod and MP3 player connectivity with full-function control through the touch-screen - and an auxiliary port on every car for other portable audio devices.
Other available features include Jaguar voice control to operate navigation and telephone functions, blind spot monitor, front and rear parking aids and rear camera parking aid, adaptive cruise control, automatic speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring system and electronic parking brake.
The new XF is a milestone for Jaguar. In every respect it signals the future of the marque - and yet it remains true to the essence of what has always made great Jaguars the cars they are.
Engineering excellence and class-leading structural rigidity are at the heart of the new XF's construction. The advanced body structure, which comprises high-tech materials and new-generation design techniques, maximises strength and minimises weight to give the XF superb performance, refinement and efficiency across its range of V6 and V8 engines. These engines include the quietest diesel engine in its class and a supercharged V8 that delivers outstanding levels of performance.