Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2013 Jaguar XF 3.0 Supercharged

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-...photo-6008725/


Generally speaking, I don't get too upset about the growing need to replace displacement in modern cars. Sure, there are exceptions (don't you touch my 6.2-liter AMG V8), but honestly, the industry's new forced induction powertrains are all lovely, and their gains in fuel economy – when they actually make good on them – can make up for the ever-so-slight losses in performance or driving character.

But I'm having a hard time keeping my chin up with this Jaguar XF. For the 2013 model year, Jaguar has killed off the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and fitted a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic in its place (and even offers a turbocharged four-cylinder engine below that). That all sounds perfectly well and good, but a week behind the wheel of this British Racing Green sedan just left me missing that V8. And then some.

Driving Notes

• It's funny, with excellent new products like the XJ and F-Type, the XF is really starting to show its age in some areas, especially inside its cabin. Thankfully, the svelte XF still looks great as ever on the outside, and I'm really digging the smoothed-out headlamp treatment that was fitted for the 2012 model year.
• The XF continues to garner attention from pedestrians in a way that the BMW 5 Series simply cannot. I love the kinda-sorta British Racing Green of this test car, and the 20-inch Hydra five-spoke alloy wheels really round out the whole athletic design, though they're a costly option – $3,075 for the set – and do nothing to improve this XF's hefty $69,420 bottom line.
• Like I said, though, the problems with the XF are found inside. The cabin is noisy at highway speeds, with lots of audible wind noise penetrating the glasshouse, and overall, the materials used here just feel a bit dated. I still hate the gimmicky thou-shault-have-air electronic vents, and the onboard technology is tough to use and very, very slow to respond to touch. Huge losses in an otherwise very tech-savvy segment.
• The supercharged V6 is rated at 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque – decreases of 40 hp and 48 lb-ft versus the naturally aspirated V8. The good news is, thanks to a better power curve, the deficits don't affect acceleration, with Jaguar quoting the same 5.7-second 0-60 time for both the 2012 5.0 and 2013 3.0 models.
• Another part of the reason for the 0-60 time not changing is due to weight. The new powertrain technology is a bit lighter than the outgoing V8/six-speed setup, and a full 165 pounds has been shaved off the car's curb weight in the process.
• The other gain for the V6 – fuel economy – looks great on paper. Jaguar reports EPA fuel economy figures of 17 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined for this new XF 3.0, which represent increases of 1/5/2 mpg (city/highway/combined) versus the 5.0 V8 model.
• The bad news is that, after my week of driving, my combined fuel economy number of 18.6 mpg was slightly less than the old rating. I put the XF through a pretty even mix of city and highway driving, so I was certainly expecting better. Colleagues have expressed disappointment with fuel economy here, as well, so I don't think I'm alone.
• On top of that, while I generally like the new eight-speed automatic transmission, it's not great for moments of driving enthusiasm. Often times, the gearbox fired off really hard shifts and struggled to find the right gear. A shame, since my recent experience with the same new ZF eight-speed in the Range Rover Sport was completely without fault.
• Generally, though, the XF is still a peach to drive. For me, it still falls behind the Audi A6 in terms of great-to-drive dynamics, but I appreciate the XF's light steering and relatively good suspension tuning. There's a bit more body roll than I'd like here, and the whole package just doesn't have that same sort of vault-like solidity on the road that the Germans have managed to perfect, but generally speaking, it's a fine steer.
• Problem is, without noticeable fuel economy improvements here, I really still prefer the dynamic of the naturally aspirated V8 XF – it was one of my favorite packages in the midsize luxury class. Thankfully, Jaguar now offers all-wheel drive on the V6 cars, which will surely help sales in snow belt states, and you can still get the rip-roaring V8 in the Supercharged and XFR trims.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/08/2...k-spin-review/

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

At a $50k base price (and typically a $60k tag), this is a great option to those that want something different than a 5-Series or E-Class.

They're typically leased, so most will play with it for a couple of years, and move on.

Niggles be damned.

Blackraven

If you're aiming for the new 3.0 Liter Supercharged V6 engine, then you should pair it with ALL WHEEL DRIVE (which is the selling point of Jaguar to combine 3.0 S/C V6 with their newly-developed AWD system)

Otherwise, if you don't really need AWD on your Jag, then GO ALL OUT and get yourself an XFR with Speed Pack and Black Pack

pvmike1

Nice G8 GXP.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

It's a heavy car, but Jaguars supercharged mill sure spanks Audi's supercharged 3.0 and BMW's twin power 3.0.

kwr

The XF is one of the lightest in the class behind the GS.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Not sure what I was writing. XF might actually be the lightest in class in base 2.0 trim rated at 3,660lbs.

The funny thing is the base XJ is 3,869lbs thanks to it's aluminum structure. Imagine if the XF were graced with all that

Also appears the XFR-S is the most heavy between all XF and even flagship XJ models.

http://www.jaguarusa.com/models/xf/specifications
http://www.jaguarusa.com/models/xj/specifications

spwolf

what i find really interesting about Jags is how well they review in British press - basically, Jags are the best cars in their class, bar none. Foreign brands cant even begin to touch what is Jaguar. And other hand how German press refuses to rate them at all. Last time I read about XF being compared to Peugeot 508 and Skoda Superb in Autobild, it ended up last.

Yes, Autobild compared XF to Skoda, Renault, Peugeot and 10yr old Volvo, and XF ended dead last.



p.s. Did you know that XF's mpg was horrible at 7.2l/100km for 190hp engine in large RWD sedan, while 170hp TDI Skoda got superb consumption of 6.8l in its FWD goodness.

It just boggles my mind... and they also complain to no end about central tunnel in RWD Jag, which is normal for MB and BMW as well, but Skoda is FWD and as all of VW group vehicles, also have central tunnel, which is laughable completely - as no Toyota FWD has it anymore, yet you will not hear a word on this from German media at all... I recently saw that even Golf VII, a brand new platform has 20cm tall central tunel, where Corolla has... none.

spwolf

couldnt resist to post rear tunnel size in Golf VII, since the article above trashed RWD XF to no end about the tunnel...

Vladi

This has been going on for more than a decade now. I remember how S-Type R was ahead of M5 and E55 in Top Gear or Evo.. Yeah right!

Usually I do not read German publications, they are so clinical and uninspiring, but if I do I only pay attention to test drives not comparos since they don't make any sense at all. Especially when Germany hits auto sales lump, then you can expect Insignia to top any kind of import including luxury import like Lexus, Caddy, etc.

British mags on the other hand are really stylish but they don't say much, usually they try to put emotion into words or end up in Clarkson nonsense mode. They are addicted to Land Rover like a junkie to crack which makes me laugh every time they do SUV comparison. On the other hand photography and design is superb!

My favorite car publications are American ones, easiest to read, they don't spare anyone and are straight to the point (most of the time). Except COTY awards they are not really biased to US cars that much.

spwolf

yep, agree completely.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

wow that is just a ridiculous comparison

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

I guess the Allies-Axis thing still bothers Germans...

spwolf

you dont like Skoda? It got like million points more than XF.






hahaha

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)