JAGUAR XF:
This weekend, as I was walking around a high-end outdoor mall( I think they call them lifestyle malls?) when I came across something I don’t see often: a burgundy 2008 Jaguar XF. The XF was a gorgeous concept design(C-XF was its designation) for a mid-size sedan replacement to the archaic, boring S-Type. The designer of the car? Oh just Ian Callum, the guy who gave us the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish, and Jag XK. So it’s an attractive car, the pictures don’t do it justice.

The XF I found was parked in front of a Louis Vuitton and Brooks Brothers store, and you know what? It fits into that sort of environment perfectly…and no, I can’t afford a lot of the stores at that mall! It’s a Jaguar that finally looks the part of being an upper class, sophisticated automobile and backs it up, unlike the Jags that were built and languished under the Ford regime. The lines of the car were very exciting and sensuous compared to some of its German rivals such as the E Class A6 Series or even a BMW 5 Series.

For a midsize sedan this car does such a wonderful job of pulling the design cues from its longer, fancier brother the XK Coupe, especially with its high belt line and well-sorted tail. That said, the interior is where this car really shines in terms of aesthetic. From the very unique gear selector now instead of the traditional J-gate of yore, to the matte and polished surface to its minimalist dash design, the car screams style in a refreshing way. I feel this car is much more of a new take on what a mid-size luxury car can be. This car bucks a lot of the boring trends that seem to plague other cars in this sector such as very conservative design both inside. I think this maybe a welcome new angle on this sector.

For those reasons I find this car immensely interesting for both its design and where it will take Jaguar as it truly moves the goal posts for Jag for in the first time in many, many years. If I were in the market for a midsize sedan, I wouldn’t look at a Lexus GS, Audi A6, or Mercedes E Class - if the Jag drives well then it may just be a dead heat with the 5 Series.

What do you guys think? Can Jaguar compete with the 5 Series?


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