2013 Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol Launch Review
2013 JAGUAR XF REVIEW
What’s hot: Best looking car in the segment, brilliant drivetrain and dynamics, excellent pricing;
What’s not: Some options should be standard;
X-Factor: A Jag that drives well and is kind to the hip pocket: win-win.
Engines: 2.0 litre turbo petrol (177kW/340Nm)
Fuel consumption - listed: 8.9 l/100km
Price range: $68,900 - $75,500 (plus on-roads)
OVERVIEW
It’s the cheapest way to get into a Jaguar.
The $68,990 price-tag may cause some to worry – the last time a Jag was this cheap was back in the days of the X-Type.
But unlike its dowdy uninspiring predecessor, the XF is, without a doubt, the best looking premium midsizer on sale today.
To achieve this price point, though, Jaguar has slotted in a new engine – a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol - the same engine as you’ll find in Ford’s excellent Ecoboost Falcon.
It replaces the outgoing 3.0-litre V6 petrol, which may seem like a strange move; who’s going to buy a four over a six?
Side-by-side comparisons of the vital statistics tell the story.
The new 2.0-litre i4 outclasses the old V6 in every way, with more power, more torque, a quicker sprint time and less fuel used.
Let’s get the Falcon comparison out of the way first. Yes, it uses the same (basic) engine as the Falcon, and yes, it’s slightly down on power and torque (177kW and 340Nm plays the Falcon’s 179kW and 353Nm) however it counters with an eight-speed ZF auto (carried across the XF range), versus the six-speeder in the Falcon.
Those extra two ratios not only help to keep the engine in its sweet spot for longer, but also allow it to go from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds, gives a combined fuel use of 8.9L/100km and outputs just 207g/km of CO2.
So, does a four banger cut the mustard in a big cat? Jaguar invited TMR to Sydney to put it through its paces and find out.
THE INTERIOR
There are two levels of equipment for the XF 2.0T; the $68,990 Luxury and the $75,500 Premium Luxury.
The interiors reflect the price difference, with the Luxury spec missing out on full leather, though the ‘Suedecloth’ seat inserts are actually better at keeping you from sliding around.
Paying an extra $6510 for the Premium Luxury variant also gets you a reversing camera (though the Luxury does get parking sensors), power folding mirrors, front door halo illumination, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and 18-inch Vela wheels.