New York 2015: 2016 Jaguar XF Revealed
Published: March 24th, 2015
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Want an F-Type but need an extra set of doors and a back seat? Jaguar’s got something for you.
The 2016 Jaguar XF gets two V6s borrowed from the F-Type (supercharged 3.0L units with 340 and 380 horsepower) as well as an 8-Speed automatic gearbox. There’s also the Jaguar Configurable Dynamics system, which can adjust suspension, steering, engine and transmission settings – sadly, the F-Type’s famous exhaust note doesn’t appear to be present.
With a structure that is now mostly aluminum, the XF loses as much as 265 lbs on all-wheel drive models thanks to a revised AWD system. Look for the full unveil at next month’s New York Auto Show.
More by Derek Kreindler
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I think that part of the tepid reception the XF is receiving is due to the color choice chosen for its presentation. Refrigerator White does no favors to any car, especially an R-model that substitutes chrome trim for black plastic for that, ahem, "sporty" look. A white car needs chrome trim to make it pop visually, otherwise it looks like a low-line rental. Plus white erases any visual interest that may exist in sheetmetal contouring. Visualize the car in a real color; copper, navy blue, dark red, even gunmetal grey, and its looks would improve dramatically. However, no change in color is likely to redeem that grim, low-rent interior. With all the visual interest happening in the XJ, you would think that Jaguar would have taken a hint from the C-Class (mini S-Class) and stepped up its game for interior design for the XF. Instead, it appears to have done the reverse and let the accounting staff do the design. But then, just like white exteriors, black versions of any interior are always the dullest.
I took a second look at the XF pics, and found that the car's styling is growing on me. Its clean lines, delicate detailing, and tight stance suggests a trim athlete, as opposed to the lumpy, aimless pulchritrude of the sheetmetal on a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus. My only faults with the design are the lower front air intakes - hopefully toned down on non-S models - and the black triangle on the rear door window. Surely that could have been avoided somehow. I will also reserve judgment on the interior until I see one without the blackout treatment of wood and trim that comes with the "S" model. But it is unlikely to improve much since its basic design is so dull and down-market looking.