Staff Photographer
In recent years Jaguar’s vehicles — specifically the XK and XF — have transformed in the same way as Jaguar customers have evolved; from pompous old English twerps keen on gin and tonics into well-heeled cosmopolitan sorts with a penchant for single-malt Scotch.
A few years ago when Ford announced its intention to sell Jaguar and Land Rover, industry commentators said Ford was relinquishing the two brands that could turn the ailing company’s fortunes around.
Despite both brands starting profitable runs and debuting a fresh approach to concept models Ford wanted to concentrate on its core brand and eventually sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Indian conglomerate Tata Motors.
Since Tata took over in June last year, it has left both brands to get on with business as usual. According to Jaguar South Africa executives the only change since the takeover has been regular meetings with Tata executives and the ongoing separation from Ford.
But as with other vehicle manufacturers Jaguar and Land Rover have fallen on tough times and are in line to receive an £800-million bail-out from the British government. The money is intended to safeguard the 15 000 workers employed at manufacturing plants across the United Kingdom and will be used in the development of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Despite the cash infusion and decreasing global sales, operations haven’t slowed down and a few South African journalists were included in the international launch of the new Jaguar XF diesels and the updated XF and XK ranges in Nice, France, a few weeks ago.
Jaguar launched the refreshed supercharged range-topping models in the form of the XFR and the XKR about two months ago and these will reach South Africa in the next quarter.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to drive the two-door sporty XK much, but I did experience the new XF V8 petrol and the V6 diesel on roads that switchbacked up and down Provençal mountains decorated with late snowfalls. Thankfully there was no snow on the road, except for the occasional smattering that melted as quickly as it hit the tar.
The almost menacing growl of the 5.0-litre normally aspirated petrol engine (with 283kW of power and 515Nm of torque) was intoxicating and was complemented perfectly by the throttle blip, which is more audible when the car is in dynamic mode.
Dynamic mode allows the revs to climb comfortably towards the red zone without interference from the auto box and this feature gives the XF an uncanny ferocity – most welcome in a car that handles as well as this.
The 3.0-litre twin turbodiesel comes in two models with two outputs — one that develops 177kW of power and 500Nm of torque and the sportier derivative, which pushes out 202kW and 600Nm.
Despite the increased outputs, both vehicles benefit from improved fuel consumption and C02 emissions figures because of technical tweaks.
The more powerful diesel option would satisfy any petrolhead hellbent on instant power as the two turbo-chargers work perfectly to give off oodles of power anywhere in the rev range.
And the new suspension makes this otherwise stately sedan feel as lithe as a sports car as the more powerful diesel rockets from zero to 100kph in an impressive 6.4s.
Thankfully not much has been changed inside the XF: as it still has the same neatly stitched leather, touch-screen interface, rotary gearchanger (Jaguar Drive Control now standard across the range) and soft blue instrument lighting.
Additional technology on the XF includes electrically adjusted heated and cooled front seats, a rear camera parking aid with on-screen guidance, a mis-fuel device on diesel models, optional blind spot monitor and an acoustic laminated windscreen to help eliminate road noise.
Safety features include ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, six airbags, traction control and more.
The X-Type sedan, which is the entry-level Jaguar, is being discontinued worldwide as the more expensive, better-specced XF takes its place.
What is exceptional about the Jaguar XF is that it doesn’t feel like a car made to fill a gap or update a range. It feels as though everyone — from the technical guys who build everything that makes the car move to the designers tasked with making form and function beautiful — was instructed to throw out any preconceived ideas and to start on the XF afresh. This is where the Anglo-Indians take the fight away from the Germans.
The Germans make brilliant cars, but they seem to be stuck in outdoing one another with the slightest bit of extra displacement or an additional bit of leather here and there and, as a result, some of their products feel similar and somewhat jaded.
The XF wins this round simply because it has taken a fresh approach and has created a car that harks back to the days when English cars were something to aspire to. This time it’s not just the smell of English leather that’s enticing, it’s also the spicy dynamics that will prove to be the XF’s most endearing characteristic.
At the end of the launch I couldn’t help wondering whether Ford executives were secretly regretting their decision to sell Jaguar and Land Rover, especially in light of the fact that Jaguar sales increased by 8% last year.
South African prices will be released when the vehicles are launched locally. You can expect to pay a small premium over the current prices and that could range from R550 000 to about R1.2-million for the XF and the XK is expected to start at just under R1-million.
Fast five Q&A with jaguar sales and marketing manager Tania Cleary
How has the Tata takeover affected Jaguar’s business?
The takeover had a positive effect on the Jaguar business. The attitudes of the dealers and staff to the brands have changed completely. They are confident about the future of the company, the product’s desirability and the health of the franchise.
Given the recent approval of the British bail-out, is it not irresponsible to spend a great deal of money on international press junkets?
No — it is important for Jaguar to host the global PR events to ensure successful press launches in various markets. South Africa will be introducing exciting products and engine advancements on the XF and XK ranges in June.
Do you think Jaguar’s association with Ford tarnished its reputation unfairly?
Although Jaguar Land Rover has a new parent company, it will not completely part ways with Ford. We will continue sourcing powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components from Ford.
Why are you placing such emphasis on the XF diesel?
In its first year on sale the XF has sold in a global diesel/petrol ratio of 40/60.The outstanding new 3.0-litre V6 Diesel will be the biggest selling XF in European markets and we anticipate it to be the XF volume driver in the South African market.
The new XF Diesel S is the most advanced, powerful and efficient Jaguar diesel so far.
What do you say to those who see the Tata takeover as a blot in Jaguar’s more or less illustrious lineage?
Jaguar and Land Rover brands will, in the future, enjoy the best of both worlds. On the one hand, we have the complete support and continuity afforded to Jaguar Land Rover by our ongoing relationship with Ford.
On the other, we now have access to immense resources, thanks to our new parent company because it is willing and able to invest in our two brands. As such, we look forward to a bright and successful future for both Jaguar and Land Rover.