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So I went to check out the new XF they had at Bellevue Jaguar in WA. I wormed myself into a quick test-drive, and put my father's name down for one as well. Both of us with our fingers crossed for Jag, and him being the owner of many previous models.
First off, the styling:
In the flesh, I REALLY like this car. despite the rather bland theme, its a very nice, sedate yet voluptious shape. The sides are heavily contoured, the rockers tuck under the car very neatly. The top profile of the rear deck is very nice and rounded. and gives the car a more aggressive stance that others in the segment. But me and my father agree, this car is a totally wrong. As he put it "That car is nothing. I dont love it, I dont hate it... It doesnt specifically remind me of any one car, but it doesnt have anything to offer stylistically over the competition" He went on to say that if he was in the market for a new car in that price range... The Jag dealer would be his last stop. This comming from a LONG TIME Jag fan and loyal customer. He actually said, that he would PREFER the latest S-type over the XF.
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Not because he thinks its a better looking car, so much as, its unique, and Jaguar. Prospective buyer test? Fail.
End exterior styling rant...
The interior is perfect. Jag interiors have annoyed me since they departed from the horizontal, linear layout of the older XJ's and went for the more rounded, broken up shapes of the recent cars. I love the interior. Materials are top notch. You dont feel like youre in a space ship as with some modern cars, but its still very modern looking. The ambient light is a nice touch... although I think I would prefer it if it werent that cliche tech-y aquamarine... Im pretty sure that colour would get old...
As for the drive... It felt like pretty much any modern mid-dize saloon. I wasnt exactly thrashing on it, so I cant tell you much other than the trasmission seemed VERY nice for an auto, and the ride felt smooh. I wasnt much interested in the drive of the car, since it wanst the SV8... I was more interested in what it felt like to drive it. I will say however... the view down the hood is quite nice.
Overall impression?
I hope this thing can keep Jaguar alive long enough that they can pull their pants back up and throw something really really cool at us... Because this isnt it.
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I do like the car... Just.. Not quite as much as I wish I did... And my father's reacion nearly broke my heart... I hope others decide to throw ther money into the Jag charity
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Detail here... Look at the shape difference between the window opening in the sheetmetal, the on in the trim, and then the actual viewable hole.
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Modified by SebringMGB at 9:36 AM 3-19-2008
First off, the styling:
In the flesh, I REALLY like this car. despite the rather bland theme, its a very nice, sedate yet voluptious shape. The sides are heavily contoured, the rockers tuck under the car very neatly. The top profile of the rear deck is very nice and rounded. and gives the car a more aggressive stance that others in the segment. But me and my father agree, this car is a totally wrong. As he put it "That car is nothing. I dont love it, I dont hate it... It doesnt specifically remind me of any one car, but it doesnt have anything to offer stylistically over the competition" He went on to say that if he was in the market for a new car in that price range... The Jag dealer would be his last stop. This comming from a LONG TIME Jag fan and loyal customer. He actually said, that he would PREFER the latest S-type over the XF.
End exterior styling rant...
The interior is perfect. Jag interiors have annoyed me since they departed from the horizontal, linear layout of the older XJ's and went for the more rounded, broken up shapes of the recent cars. I love the interior. Materials are top notch. You dont feel like youre in a space ship as with some modern cars, but its still very modern looking. The ambient light is a nice touch... although I think I would prefer it if it werent that cliche tech-y aquamarine... Im pretty sure that colour would get old...
As for the drive... It felt like pretty much any modern mid-dize saloon. I wasnt exactly thrashing on it, so I cant tell you much other than the trasmission seemed VERY nice for an auto, and the ride felt smooh. I wasnt much interested in the drive of the car, since it wanst the SV8... I was more interested in what it felt like to drive it. I will say however... the view down the hood is quite nice.
Overall impression?
I hope this thing can keep Jaguar alive long enough that they can pull their pants back up and throw something really really cool at us... Because this isnt it.
Detail here... Look at the shape difference between the window opening in the sheetmetal, the on in the trim, and then the actual viewable hole.
Modified by SebringMGB at 9:36 AM 3-19-2008
