The boldly styled and well-reviewed Jaguar XF luxury sport sedan enters its second year of production with a number of changes. The XF Supercharged trim, which created a buzz in 2009 by holding its own on the track against competitive sport sedans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, among others, disappears from the trim lineup for 2010, while the existing Premium trim gains a more powerful V8 engine. In addition, Jaguar debuts a new XF R trim with a new supercharged V8 engine producing in excess of 500 hp.
The entry-level XF Luxury trim remains unchanged for 2010. It comes equipped with a 300-hp, 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, which drives the sedan from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 121 mph. The engine links to a Sequential Shift transmission with a fully automatic Drive mode or a Sport transmission mode, which enables drivers to shift manually by tapping shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Standard features in the luxury-oriented cabin include Bond Grain leather seats, American Walnut wood veneer trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, aluminum accents on the dashboard, a power-operated glass moonroof, and a 7-inch LCD touchscreen, which drivers can use to control the automatic climate, 320-watt audio, and optional navigation systems. In addition, drivers can operate the overhead lighting and glovebox using JaguarSense motion- and pressure-sensitive sensors. Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, a keyless start system, and 18-inch wheels are among the other standard features, while options include a rear parking camera, a heated steering wheel, and a 13-speaker, 440-watt Bowers and Wilkins audio system with a subwoofer.
Moving up a step, the XF Premium trim receives a new 5.0-liter V8 engine generating 385 hp, an increase of 85 hp over the previous year's V8. Jaguar also adds such standard features as heated and cooled front seats, a Blind Spot Monitor, and a rear parking camera, which join the sedan's existing standard features, including Soft Grain leather-trimmed seating, Burl Walnut veneer trim, three-stage heated front seats, a navigation system, and 19-inch wheels. A Portfolio Pack adds a 16-way power-adjustable driver's seat, 12-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and a wider choice of trim colors and interior wood veneers.
The new XF R heads up the XF line for 2010, thanks to its 510-hp, 5.0-liter supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III engine, which produces an impressive 461 lb-ft of torque and drives the sedan from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. The engine links to an upgraded six-speed automatic transmission designed specifically for the hefty V8 engine. Despite its horsepower and torque, the new V8 still posts acceptable fuel economy numbers of 15/23 city/highway mpg, which match the fuel economy numbers of the supercharged 4.2-liter V8 that powered the previous year's XF Supercharged trim.
Other performance-oriented features for the XF R include Active Differential Control, which automatically adjusts the torque delivered to the rear wheels depending on driving conditions, and an Adaptive Dynamics system, which continually makes adjustments to the suspension and damping to control pitch and roll and provide a more comfortable and stable ride. The sport-oriented interior includes supportive sport seats, among other features. Outside, the XF R has a unique look, thanks to its trim-specific grille, bumpers, lower front air intakes, sill extensions, four tailpipes, rear spoiler, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
By R. Feeman
