Jaguar has finally clawed back to the Kenyan market, with its revolutionary marquee, the XF.
Designed as a halo product, the car was conceived at a time when Jaguar was at crossroads; that is to maintain its past heritage and look forward in to the future.
For the Jaguar, the all new XF had to be good, more so offer rivalry to the German Teutonic three in all levels. I am happy to report that jaguar has indeed lived up to its name, and has definitely unleashed the all new XF in its raw form.
CMC motors have been entrusted with the mandate to take care of the ‘cats’, and the XF in particular will definitely shake up the executive car market dominated with the cars from Munich and Stuttgart. Jaguar will offer the XF in two forms, the less timid XF POTFOLIO(3.0LV6 TDI,5.0L V8) and the more rabid maniac, the XFR,a stunning 5.0L V8 supercharged monster, churning out 510bhp of raw ‘cat power’, dashing off the line to 100kph in a staggering 4.9 seconds!
Matted to these potent engines is a 6 speed ZF Gearbox with paddle shifters, that allows maximum torque usage by the rear wheels while ensuring fuel efficiency is observed optimally.
The diesel version of the XF is an engineers marvel; powered by a three litre V6 twin turbo diesel, this version boasts of ample torque in excess of 500Nm thanks to its advanced third generation common rail technology, which employs piezzo injectors to increase diesel atomisation. Together with the two stage variable geometry turbo spools, the XF diesel pulls from nought to 100 in 6 seconds, and returns a fuel consumption figure of 17.7kilkometere per litre!
The XFR boasts a unique front end with a larger lower grille, black mesh, and chrome outlined air intakes. Bonnet louvers are modelled on those used on the XKR. The XFR also features new side sills, and rear bumper with integrated lower valance panel that houses four tailpipes. The subtle rear spoiler is said to make a significant contribution to the car’s aerodynamic properties, as do the new side mirrors with integrated indicator repeaters.
Twin-seven spoke 20-inch Nevis alloy wheels are housed in the wheel arches, featuring the words “Jaguar Supercharged” embossed around their centres. Silver brake callipers, which carry an “R” logo, peek out from behind the alloys.
The interior features full soft grain leather upholstery as standard and a new Dark Oak veneer is the standard finish for the XFR’s wood-trimmed areas. The XFR’s “R” embossed sports seats have newly shaped electrically adjustable bolsters for significantly improved support at higher cornering speeds. The lower steering wheel spoke also features leather trim, with its own ‘R’ logo.
To accentuate the XFR’s sporting character; the facia boasts a unique, dark mesh aluminium finish, and another “R” badge on the instrument panel. The speedometer and tachometer have the unique sporting signature of red dial pointers, and carry Jaguar’s “Supercharged” motif. And at start-up, the ‘R’ logo appears on the Touch-screen.
“Lightness allows agility, and agility with high performance defines the exhilarating yet refined nature of the Jaguar XF. Lightness, power and advanced technologies such as Active Differential Control on the XFR mean they accelerate harder, stop more quickly and handle with true precision – setting new standards of dynamic excellence,” says Mike Cross, Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer at Jaguar.
Exterior enhancements include a purposeful new front bumper, new LED rear lights clusters that incorporate fog lamps and twin reverse lights. LED’s are also featured in the indicator repeaters in the side mirrors. Chrome on its lower mesh grille also set the XKR apart from lesser models, as do the chrome detailing on the window surrounds, rear signature “blade”, and a revised tailpipe design.
My final take is this. The ‘CAT’ is back! It’s brute, merciless and can ward off the competition, from Merc’s CLS 63 AMG, to BMW’S M5.a true British knight, ready to defend the glory and honour of the Queen! rest my case.
