2008 Jaguar XF video review
September 1, 2008 by Karl Peskett
Karl takes the new Jaguar XF for a spin to find out what it’s really like.
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Those are some really cool interior features i didnt realise it had. Bang-on about the head lights, why they couldnt stick to the concepts more closely ill never know. Good to see jaguar back in the game
Brilliant review on a brilliant car – but I am biased – I bought the 4.2l V8, and I LOVE IT! Too bad you didnt get the V8 – the engine noise is soooo sweet I didnt use the 14 speaker stereo for the first month, cant resist keeping it in gear longer – 120kph in second no drama…and if you reckon the upshifts are good, try downshifts – so smooth you can barely feel them. Had it for 2 months, still finding little treats that make it user friendly (maybe I should read the manual). Definately the best car I’ve owned.
BTW, agreed on the headlights (ugh, those headlights) but I think the idea is that they retain the shape of the saloon bonnet. The concept was much better looking. The lights are brilliant, though – far better than my old car which also had the bi-xenons.
Karl,you mentioned about the transmission having instant gear shifts how does this auto compare to the DSG system?
A puny 3.0L V6 for $108,000? You get more power in an Accord! In the US, there isn’t even a V6 available – the 4.2L V8 sells for $49,995 there. The car is good, yes, but not worth anywhere remotely NEAR the $108,000 asking price.
Fasthonda, a DSG system will actually change the gears quicker, but the response from the paddles is instant.
Great review Karl. Finally a Jag to dream about again.
A road test on another site was a lot less favourable, suggesting the ride and handling of the G6E was superior. Any thoughts on that?
I stopped listening when i heard he was testing the v6 model. If you are getting a XF, you have to get the Sv8.
Also, what was with that background music plagiarised from top gear? I specifically remember that music from the F430 review.
I cannot for the life of me understand how the outgoing S-Type 3.0L sold for $89,990 while this car is some $18,000 dearer. Aside from the luxury car tax increase, what on earth justifies that kind of increase? When MB or BMW introduce a new 5 or E, they don’t bump up prices 15k+. In fact, when Mercedes introduced the new E in 2002, it was actually less expensive than it’s predecessor.
Jaguar’s pricing for the XF in comparison with it’s German competitors seems quite strange on the surface, however a few months ago I read that the boss of Jaguar Oz said they were pricing the XF above it’s German equivalents too give an air of exclusivity because they felt the XF was superior. Seemed like an extremely risky move but after hearing about the very long waiting list for the XF, Jaguar was right. People are willing too pay the extra for the XF even if it’s base V6 is nowhere near as good as BMW’s or Mercs sixes!
I think a lot more appeal to the xf than to the s type, with a younger and far wider demographic with more ability to fund these (maybe s type bought by 60 plus, xf more by 40 plus). It is a completely new style of car, not just a new model of existing, like the benz and the BMW (which were probably less attractive than their predecessors). I wouldnt have bought an s type at all (save maybe an R, if it was cheap enough). And Tom, yeah I would have loved the SV8 except another $40K on the V8, with a significantly harder ride (getting soft in my old age). For another $15K (in the US the difference is around $8K), I’d grab the SV8, but $40K is a lot of dough, esp when you cant really tell the difference from the outside between the $125K on road 6 cyl, the $145K on road V8, and the $185K on road SV8, and on the road the main difference is better cornering (hence the harder ride), and getting to 100kph 1 second faster than the V8 (well, that is what I keep telling myself…)
really good video review! I know its alot of work, but more of these please!
yeah it was a good review mate, but i think you need to try and forge your own personality in the review. You seemed to be trying waaaaay to hard to be top gear. Your not. Your car advice.
Too bad the front lights make it look fugly. The back is very Aston Martin-esque. What was with the Judge Dredd song at the end :P
top shelf review mate. If i had the money for it thatd be the car i would buy right now.
lol anti-spam was 300kw, when are u gonna be testing that monster?!!
Not the headlights but that front grill spoils the car for me, not enough to put me off buying one though, the trade in price I`ve been offered for my 14k mile S type did that !
Great car, but sorry Karl, you don’t have the on screen presence, charisma, personality, humour or even voice for video.
I know everyones a critic, but on the entertainment meter that review barely manages a score.
On a positive I think your expertise is on the other side of the camera, great direction!
Cheers!
Millatime, I’m a motoring journo, first and foremost, so if it’s entertainment you’re after, look elsewhere.
However, if you’re in need of a serious critique, then you’ve come to the right spot. Thanks for your honest, forthright opinion.
Cheers!
Karl, of course we want to be informed what the cars about, what she’ll do and how she does it…
But by no means does it end there. As an audience we also want to be involved with the car, with your interaction, we want to feel it, hear it, see it, we want to be there, to be drawn into the car, to be exhilarated by it’s performance…
You can be a dry motoring journo in print, but in front of the camera you must also – if you want to do it well – entertain and involve us.
Anyway, the best in the business are on tonight (Monday) at 7:30, and my God they’re entertaining (secret of their success?), and informative!
If you don’t agree that’s OK, I still think you’re a brilliant director!
Cheers!
mer30 doste aziz
aliy bod movafagh bashi
manam mesle mr.falah khili be mashin alaghe daram