Shot of production Jaguar XF finds way onto web
UPDATE: Shot removed at request of Jaguar
After a lengthy investigation, we've traced this clear shot of the production Jaguar XF back to Road and Track's website. The buff book's digital division published an article online titled "Top 20 New Cars for 2008". One of those cars is the Jaguar XF, and Road and Track, which we're suspecting already has its hands on a boat load of long-lead press shots, decided to publish one for the people ahead of the vehicle's official debut later this month. We'd link to the article for you, but that would only encourage this kind of behavior.
The profile shot gives us a nice view from which to compare what's changed on this car's relatively short path from concept to production. For starters, the production car has the corporate fender vents found on nearly all Jags rather than the stylized vents from the concept. The wheels also appear to be the same ones we saw in our last batch of spy shots that revealed the car's naked arse. From the side, those taillights look like they were directly ported from the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, as well.
Though we can see a bit of the face here, it's tough to tell whether we like it or not. The concept has been largely toned down, with the car exhibiting proper real world proportions, functional door handles and the like. Was the essence of the C-XF Concept preserved? We'll find out later this month when Jag officially hands over the goods.
[Source: Road and Track via Jaguarmania via Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Johnny082 5:17PM (8/22/2007)
thnk you soooooooooooooo much lol
I missed it the first time around.
Tagg 12:49PM (8/22/2007)
Its better than the current S-Type but it looks Volvo-ish to me for whatever reason. Perhaps its me but regardless it holds pretty close to the concept and is a major improvement. Hopefully it will drive well and can help save Jaguar from extinction.
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mooj 6:50PM (8/27/2007)
i knew it! it's bland as hell!
profile looks ripped from the acura TL, or something as pedestrian as that. honestly, it's got the proportions of a mid-range, tall, Japanese FWD near-lux sedan.
Jag is so screwed.
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frank 12:45PM (8/22/2007)
Wow Jag is screwed, the production version looks like crap compared to the concept.
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macman 2:14AM (8/23/2007)
I'd just like to point out that this car will replace the S-Type not the XK. Therefore Jaguar must make it practical for their buyers (people looking for an upscale family sedan) not a super car. The concept looks like it could be priced to compete in the XKR's price range or above. Jaguar doesn't want its buyers to bump their heads when entering the rear seats on low roof lines or have parents break their backs while putting their children into their car seats. Yes the concept is gorgeous but impractical for the S-Type's segment (Think E-Class Mercedes or Audi A6). The mistake people are making on this board is expecting the XF to have looks to compete in the XKR's segment. Hopefully Jaguar's gorgeous concept might manifest some of its attractive design features on future XK's where they belong.
Just think...would it make economical sense for Jaguar to make the S-Type's replacement more attractive than it's high end cars? I don't think so and thankfully neither does Jaguar.
Andre 12:46PM (8/22/2007)
They should of just stayed with the concept design, the Production version look just like another car on the streets... Looks more bulky compared to the concept which was more refined and sleek looking.. Jaguar production XF FTL!!
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retsel 12:51PM (8/22/2007)
i want to see a black one with a nice dark tint... if it looks good i am going to get it...
please make a AWD supercharged version asap... for $45,000... please... thats the one i want... black on chrome...
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Dave T. 12:53PM (8/22/2007)
the reason why automakers don't like leaks is because people (see above) form opinions on one angle or one press photo instead of seeing the whole thing. That said if the headlights are really oval instead of the edge shape of the concept it could lose a lot of its aggressive look. The side shown here and rear spy photos we've seen look fine to me.
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Stephen 12:53PM (8/22/2007)
Except for the headlights, I actually like the production version better. I don't like the long tail that is becoming popular on all the enormous "coupes" now-a-days. I'm glad the production version ditched it.
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Dave T. 12:53PM (8/22/2007)
oh and C&D doesn't have said story up as far as I can see.
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Avinash machado 1:01PM (8/22/2007)
It was R & T, not C & D.
Dave T. 1:31PM (8/22/2007)
ah I just assumed it was C&D. Wonder why something like this would do that...
Anyway R&T seems to have removed it as well.
Aki 12:54PM (8/22/2007)
Wow, they killed the concept. The front-end now looks like a Buick with those bigger, rounded lights, and that corporate side gill looks nasty. A shame--they could've had a nice car, but just from this one pic it looks like it lost all of its edginess and luster.
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Eric 12:55PM (8/22/2007)
Can't wait to see the front end. It will probably be as boring as a Buick or Ford.
Considering the response they got with the concept, you'd think they wouldn't travel too far from that when they made the production car. Common sense?
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Steven T. 12:57PM (8/22/2007)
I don't mind the car's height -- this is their volume sedan, remember -- but the overall design looks too generic.
I can understand moving away from the retro look, but the XF doesn't appear to have enough of a Jaguar sensibility to its overall proportions. If you have to look at the grille to tell it is a Jaguar then the designers have failed.
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Jay 12:58PM (8/22/2007)
It looks like a Jag version of the MKS, though I assume this is on a RWD platform. Not bad, but disappointing. I don't think it's enough to turn the brand around.
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Sue Esponte 1:52PM (8/22/2007)
Looks like a new Volvo S80.
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Alex 1:00PM (8/22/2007)
Looks to me like a grown up Lexus IS...
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Mike Botros 2:05PM (8/22/2007)
Wouldn't that be a lexus GS? cause that's what it looks like to me
SPG 1:01PM (8/22/2007)
Very nice car. Probably a dream to drive or even ride in. However, I just can't see this car as turning things around for Jaguar.
This car and Jag's actual coupe/cabrio look like an upscale current gen Mondeo.
I can only hope that Jaguar comes out with some redesigns that have the same effect that the 88 XJ6 or the XK8 first did before we lose a fine company with an incredible heritage.
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