Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Jaguar
Frankfurt 2007: Jaguar XF in the flesh
7_frank_jaguarxf-7_opt.jpg)
click above image for more live, high-res shots of the Jaguar XF
Immediately after images of the Jaguar XF appeared on the web a few weeks ago, debate began over whether this new sedan will save or sink Ford's feline brand. We've now seen the car in person at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and we can at least say it earns this year's honor of being the most difficult car to shoot with a camera. We did our best though, despite Jaguar's horrendous lighting. First of all, the surfacing of the Jaguar is very complex, switching between concave and convex frequently, especially up front. The poor lighting did show that the XF loves to play with light, so now we're even more interested in seeing one out in the sun. The rear is still derivative of an Aston Martin, but at least there's good trunk space back there. We sat in the back seat to take pics of the dash, and found leg room to be adequate while the seats were comfy. The dash itself, however, is still one of the best features of the XF, with design purportedly influenced by Apple hardware. It's simple, the buttons are extremely logical and the materials are at least as good as in the more expensive XK. Power for the XF comes from Jaguar's line of 4.2L V8 engines, one naturally aspirated at 300 HP and the other supercharged for 420 HP. No weak V6s here.
Check out our live shots of the Jaguar XF in the gallery below, and take in the official press release from Jaguar after the jump.
7_frank_jaguarxf-2_thumbnail.jpg)
7_frank_jaguarxf-6_thumbnail.jpg)
7_frank_jaguarxf-15_thumbnail.jpg)
7_frank_jaguarxf-10_thumbnail.jpg)
7_frank_jaguarxf-13_thumbnail.jpg)
7_frank_jaguarxf-0_thumbnail.jpg)
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Viv 8:54AM (9/11/2007)
It still doesn't make up for the ugly looking front end. Jaguar ruined a surefire homerun.
Reply
Frank the Tank 8:56AM (9/11/2007)
The gear selector is cool, other then that Jaguar sh!t the bed.
Reply
stan 8:58AM (9/11/2007)
I really love this car and believe it will be what saves Jag. I found those under seat storage bins to be tacky and very unbefitting a car of this caliber, then i scrolled down and saw they actually were from the new dodge cuv. That made for sense.
Reply
Devin 9:00AM (9/11/2007)
Those wheels are horrendous.
Reply
acidic 12:18PM (9/11/2007)
Right from a Holden Commodore, I think.
Ols 9:17AM (9/11/2007)
I really want this car to do well and I love 85% of it. Sleek, sporty and classy.... up until the front-end where it just looks ungainly. The grille is fine, but it's the lights that bother me. Too upright and ruined by the bright orange indicators - could they not have been smoked?? Jaguar are so close to reviving their fortunes with this car - I just hope that minor error won't ruin it.
Reply
Tim 9:23AM (9/11/2007)
"The dash itself, however, is still one of the best features of the XF, with design purportedly influenced by Apple hardware."
I haven't seen any Apple products covered with an acre of burled walnut and cheesy chrome-framed buttons. Sorry, maybe it looks better in person, but every picture I've seen screams '86 Buick Park Avenue to me.
I certainly want the car to succeed, and maybe that interior will appeal to their target demo, but it mystifies me why you guys are so enthralled it.
Reply
Shawn 9:28AM (9/11/2007)
Well, ugly designs work well for MB & BMW...so maybe it'll work for Jag as well. However, I do think this is sort of a car that you have to see in 3d.
Reply
Big 2.5 9:39AM (9/11/2007)
While I may agree that not all BMW designs are superb, I would strongly disagree about MB. In their history I do not remember a single car that would have even so-so design. At its worst, MB does "good, but not the best", and in most cases it is "the best design ever". That is unlike Lexus, for instance, that either creates ugly monsters or copies MB and BMW. Nonetheless, Lexus thriving nowadays, not because of design, but due to other factors. Something that Jag cannot count on.
Big 2.5 9:32AM (9/11/2007)
Too bad Jag designers had to ruin the front end. The concept was nice, from every angle. Probably scared by the thought that people might actually like it, XF was redesigned in a hurry to look like previous generation Hyundai.
Reply
Colin Smith 10:32AM (9/11/2007)
Too many cliches.
The lights, the side vents, the shallow glasshouse. Nothing original. Not a stunner I think.
There will be a new big Alfa one of these days....
Reply
tony2x 10:40AM (9/11/2007)
I saw the XF in the metal and agree with Autoblog, the photos do not do it justice. This car is beautiful, the only detailing I don't like is the slightly fussy rear end. I will certainly be checking one out in the showrooms when I change my car next year.
Reply
pedro 10:42AM (9/11/2007)
Woops, you guys have some Dodge Journey pictures mixed up with the jaguar. I was wondering why the XF had fold down seats...
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-jaguar-xf-1/392172/
Reply
akatsuki 10:46AM (9/11/2007)
This is not even close to a bet-the-company car. It would be too much to hope that the person responsible for ripping off of a Buick Lucerne and Subaru Legacy would be sacked, but they deserve it. I always had a fondness for Jags, I always loves the old XJS coupe, but this thing is a travesty, bring back the concept before it is too late!
Reply
Gregg 11:03AM (9/11/2007)
This is great that the design is so polarizing! Bodes well for Jaguar. I think it is a stunner, and I bet those of you who see a Subaru or Buick next to this Jag will see that the "similarities" in designs disappear. I want one, but likely won't be able to afford one until some come off lease.
Reply
Tsunami Racer 11:38AM (9/11/2007)
am i the only one who sees 1996 lincoln town car in that dash? that flat panel with the HVAC vents bookending the center audio. that thin sliver of wood that runs along the bottom. replace that sat nav with a 2 din ford radio and voila! it's like you're going to the airport!
Reply
Lawrence Phoenix 12:01PM (9/11/2007)
As the new Kia it'd bring down the house..as a Jaguar, Ford's asking price just dipped several million..
Reply
Aki 12:44PM (9/11/2007)
Er, people who think it's "polarizing" are thinking too highly of this car. People who dislike it think it's boring. And it is--that front end is "okay"... but when contrasted to how nice the concept was, the change is ridiculous. Orange turn signal, giant oval jutting out, smaller grill, larger headlights... everything they did to it destroyed the sportiness that the concept has.
In person I'm sure it's decent... but decent is not going to save the company, esp when going against the likes of BMW.
Reply
Daniel 12:45PM (9/11/2007)
Horrible for Jaguar. This car will be a big flop in Europe. But good for the U.S. where people like Lexus, Accura and other bland designs.
Reply
KC 1:34PM (9/11/2007)
Whoever thought that resurrecting the headlights from the final incarnation of the Ford Escort to put onto a brand new Jag should definitely be terminated immediately
Reply