Jaguar XF

Pity the modern saloon car. Once the acme of automotive achievement, the flagship model in a company's range, saloons are now simperingly average, more run-of-the-mill than state-of-the-art.

Instead, customers clamour for urban cars, sports cars, SUVs, MPVs concepts, coupes, crossovers and more. As a result, the long-standing formula of four doors, a bonnet and a boot seemed practically played out. Then the Jaguar XF arrived











Jaguar have threatened to break the mould on more than one occasion in the past, but after leaving countless elegant designs on the drawing board the company has finally come good with the XF. 2008 is a critical year for the British icon in more ways than one. With ownership passing into the hands of Indian industralist giants Tata - along with sibling brand Land-Rover - the time has come for Jaguar to truly capitalise on one of the best-known names in automotive history. The XF is a genuinely excellent start, building on the goodwill created by the svelte, swift and undeniably beautiful XK coupe.

The design team, headed up by Ian Callum, has done a sterling job of translating the three-box saloon shape into a concoction of curves and grace without sacrificing space or practicality.










Granted, Jaguars have always been about elegance, but while latter models have walked a fine line between old school grace and flat-out revivalism, the XF is forward-looking and fresh, with barely a hint of retro design. The interior is a particular revelation - gone are the thick slabs of burled walnut and old world ambiance and in comes a welcome dose of technology, theatrical presentation and the kind of quality and attention to detail that the Germans once had all to themselves.

We're especially taken by the pop-up gear selector, the on-board storage and connectivity, as well as sat-nav and bespoke Bowers & Wilkins-developed in-car entertainment that can hold its own with the world's best. On the road, the XF is lithe, rewarding and brisk, although serious performance enthusiasts will be holding out for the 2009 XF-R model, a supercharged V8 that - rumour has it - will also be able to run on bioethanol. A true return to form.


INFORMATION

Jaguar XF, from approx £37,500

Website
http://www.jaguar.com