Jaguar XF Supercharged Pt. 1: Design Review

Imagine coming across the proverbial classic car in a barn. Rich in heritage, but in desperate need of restoration, you take it home and begin the long, laborious process of bringing it back to life.

Years later, after considerable sweat, blood, and huge financial investment, your project nears completion. But by then a harsh economy has seen yours bills pilling up. To add to your dilemma, your spouse is pressuring you to get rid of any superfluous expenses. Your project has to go.

If you can imagine this scenario, you might be better able to empathize with Ford Motor Company and its recent sale of Jaguar, a brand with a heritage that few other car companies can match. After acquiring Jaguar in 1989 for $2.5 billion and sinking even more money in over the next nearly 20 years, Ford - under increasing financial hardship and pressure from its shareholders - unloaded Jaguar just as its newest and best model was being launched.

That car is the Jaguar XF Supercharged. The XF has a lot riding on its steel shoulders as it represents a fresh start for the British marque - not just in its new ownership, but also in its fresh take on Jaguar design. The XF's styling seems to be the cars number-one talking point. So let's get to it.

Whatever you may have heard, the XF is a beautiful car. Period. Unfortunately, it doesn't photograph particularly well because of the subtly of its surfacing, but in person it really comes alive.

At the front is the car's most controversial element: its headlights. They're not the most successful part of the XF in my opinion. The C-XF concept, which previewed the XF, had much more Jaguar-appropriate front light graphics.

The sculpting of the XF's hood is beautiful and very "Jaguar," as is the front grille. Below, on the lower intakes, we see some more sculpting in the horizontal blade that splits the opening. It's a nice detail that owes nothing to past Jags, and that's just fine.

The side view of the XF has all of the elegance that was missing from its predecessor, the S-Type - every line flowing beautifully. The shape of the blister that starts below the front fender vent has to be seen in person to be appreciated. Viewed from above, it has a lovely flaring line that disappears as the cars body tucks away from you. It is very Aston Martin-like, as you might expect when you realize that the man responsible for the design of the XF was also the designer of the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish. His name is Ian Callum, and you can see more of his past efforts in the rear three-quarter view of the Jaguar XF - my favorite angle of this car.

The C-Pillar flows down from the roof and blends into the surprisingly wide rear quarter panel, turning toward the trunk in the most graceful and refined surfacing on the entire car. You really do have to see the XF for yourself to truly appreciate it.

So it's job-well-done for Jaguar's design team. The XF is a refreshingly new look for the company, while still looking like a Jaguar. It offers customers of luxury mid-size sedans a real alternative to the sea of E-Class Benzes and 5-Series BMWs.

But how will this newest Jaguar fare against those competitors? And will the new XF represent a freshly restored Jaguar under its new ownership? Hard to tell, but just like that classic car in the barn, there's a sense of British class and charm to the XF that most of the cars in this segment will find difficult to match.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged

Performance
- Acceleration: Builds speed effortlessly while supercharger whines away sounding great
- Handling: Amazingly composed for such a heavy car - TONS of grip 
- Braking: Very good - repeated abuse makes for a soft brake pedal

Design
- Exterior: Potential candidate for most beautiful 4-door sedan - has to be seen in person 
- Interior: Even stronger case for most beautiful automotive interior (under $100k)

Utility
- Comfort: Trades a tiny bit of Jaguar's slinky smoothness for sporting intent - comfy seats
- Space: A Jag with rear-seat headroom? Yes - quite comfortable front and rear

Safety
- Dynamics: Perfectly judged luxury sports sedan moves
- Technology: Everything you'd expect at this price point

Value
- Price: When compared with equal options, very competitive
- Mileage: Decent as long as you stay out of the throttle

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Finally a 4-door Jaguar that you wouldn't be crazy to consider
- Fun to spank: It can certainly handle it, but you'll feel guilty beating on this beauty rather than just cruising along elegantly

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 4.2 liter, supercharged, DOHC V8
Power: (SAE): 420 hp @  6250 rpm
Torque: 413 lbs-ft @  4000 rpm
Redline: 6250 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 4160 lbs.
0-60 mph: 5.0 sec. 
1/4 mile: 13.5 sec. 
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 15 city / 22 highway
Base Price: $62,975
Competitors: BMW 550i, Mercedes-Benz E550, Audi A6 4.2