The seats are snugly and comfortable, with a driving position that's beyond reproach. Everyone inside enjoys a surprising amount of room, including the three people sitting in the back.
As for the dashboard and center console, they are a complete success. The Phosphor Blue halo backlighting of the main instruments makes them easy to read, while the 7-inch touch-screen display in the middle allows you to adjust the climate, navigation and audio settings, not to mention a bunch of secondary functions like Bluetooth connectivity.
Most impressive is the rotary shift interface (that's right: no traditional shifter) directly mounted on the center console. As soon as you push the engine start button (that's right: no key ignition), it pops up and all you have to do is to gently turn the knob to select the desired gear. What's more, the interior air ducts also "come to life" when you start the engine. And let's not forget about the JaguarSense glovebox, which opens electronically at the push of a button.
While very innovative, these controls require some getting used to. One thing's for sure: there's nothing quite like them in the auto industry.
The cat roars!
Once the engine breathes, the wild nature of the Jaguar takes over. The cat literally roars, producing a flawless exhaust note through a pair of huge tailpipes. A gentle dip of the throttle allows the driver to exploit the 420 horsepower of the supercharged V8.
As for the ultra-quick 6-speed automatic transmission, it reacts instantly, especially with Jaguar's Sequential Shift system that allows 0-100 kph accelerations in less than 5.5 seconds.
Meanwhile, the automatically adaptive suspension (standard on the Jaguar XF Supercharged) is firm during sporty driving and offers uncompromised comfort during normal driving.
My only disappointment as far as performance is concerned is the braking system, which fails to live up to the car's excellence despite being technologically advanced. Coming to a full stop indeed requires longer distances, while the brake pedal is not as responsive as anticipated.
Finally, the power-assisted, speed-sensitive steering offers little feedback from the road, although it responds sharply and precisely to the driver's inputs.
Dare to wake up the beast?
The 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged definitely has the soul of its jungle counterpart. At idle, it impresses anyone with its graceful body, powerful stance and quiet confidence. Under acceleration, the big cat morphs into a thundering predator. Without question, the XF is a dedicated full-size sports sedan.
photo:Philippe Champoux
As for the dashboard and center console, they are a complete success. The Phosphor Blue halo backlighting of the main instruments makes them easy to read, while the 7-inch touch-screen display in the middle allows you to adjust the climate, navigation and audio settings, not to mention a bunch of secondary functions like Bluetooth connectivity.
Most impressive is the rotary shift interface (that's right: no traditional shifter) directly mounted on the center console. As soon as you push the engine start button (that's right: no key ignition), it pops up and all you have to do is to gently turn the knob to select the desired gear. What's more, the interior air ducts also "come to life" when you start the engine. And let's not forget about the JaguarSense glovebox, which opens electronically at the push of a button.
 |
| Most impressive is the rotary shift interface directly mounted on the center console. |
While very innovative, these controls require some getting used to. One thing's for sure: there's nothing quite like them in the auto industry.
The cat roars!
Once the engine breathes, the wild nature of the Jaguar takes over. The cat literally roars, producing a flawless exhaust note through a pair of huge tailpipes. A gentle dip of the throttle allows the driver to exploit the 420 horsepower of the supercharged V8.
As for the ultra-quick 6-speed automatic transmission, it reacts instantly, especially with Jaguar's Sequential Shift system that allows 0-100 kph accelerations in less than 5.5 seconds.
Meanwhile, the automatically adaptive suspension (standard on the Jaguar XF Supercharged) is firm during sporty driving and offers uncompromised comfort during normal driving.
My only disappointment as far as performance is concerned is the braking system, which fails to live up to the car's excellence despite being technologically advanced. Coming to a full stop indeed requires longer distances, while the brake pedal is not as responsive as anticipated.
Finally, the power-assisted, speed-sensitive steering offers little feedback from the road, although it responds sharply and precisely to the driver's inputs.
Dare to wake up the beast?
The 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged definitely has the soul of its jungle counterpart. At idle, it impresses anyone with its graceful body, powerful stance and quiet confidence. Under acceleration, the big cat morphs into a thundering predator. Without question, the XF is a dedicated full-size sports sedan.
photo:Philippe Champoux
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