2010 Jaguar XF — Hot, sassy

This is according to a survey done in the United States. For me this is a safe ranking, which as a motoring fanatic, I can relate to and even use to make decisions when considering buying certain vehicles.
The United States market buys most of the luxury cars made by the greatest brand manufacturers and they love large sedans like this 2010 Jaguar XF, which I test drove for this week’s issue courtesy of Premier Auto Services.
The moment I got into the car and started fiddling with dial and controls it felt like I had a mini-Einstein with an engine and wheels because it popped up just like that . . . (that’s how advanced it is, hey).
At the touch of a button, almost everything is button operated and you are ready to go.
This XF, which comes at a base price of US$112 000, boasts a distinctive personality.
An interior filled with high-tech toys, a pair of very powerful engines and a sporty profile distinguishes this car from more comfort-oriented luxury cars.
The 2010 Jaguar XF throws aside the retro-inspired designs Jaguar has pursued for years, opting for an aggressive, coupe-like profile outside and a high-tech ambience inside.
Playful touches – like a start button that pulses until you push it to ignite the car’s engine, and a stainless steel rotary shift dial that rises out of the console and into the driver’s hand when the car starts – set the XF apart from everything else on the market.
The XF also makes no secret of its sporting intentions. There is no V6 here.
It is available with a powerful V8 or an asphalt-rippling supercharged V8.
The XF is available in three trims, the Luxury model, the Premium Luxury and the Supercharged.
The historic British car manufacturer is combining sleek exterior design, innovative driver interfaces and strong performance with a luxurious interior.
Yes, it is a whole new ball game and I love it.
This car has the performance and panache to stand out in the premium midsize segment . . . and a vehicle with a heart is going to be tough to beat.
Many manufacturers think their higher-performance sedans have to imitate track cars, down to rock hard seats, tooth-chipping suspensions, a Cray wedged into the dashboard, carbon fibre and a nasty demeanour.
The XF Supercharged is another kind of car.
All-in-all this is a great car that deserves to succeed. Its for people who shop for distinction and driving pleasure.
The XF is worth serious consideration if you have the cash to spend.
It is a very fine motorcar in a market that demands perfection, but then again Jaguar has always measured up to expectations.
This car was intended to be a high-performance car, not a quiet luxury cruiser.
While most of its rivals offer a V6 engine, Jaguar sells the XF with a choice of a big V8, or a big supercharged V8.
Jaguar abandoned the retro-inspired design theme it had pursued for years when it designed the XF opting to be more modern, with a sporty coupe-like profile.
I bet you it would be hard to find anyone who thinks the new XF is ugly.
It has stunning, taut lines that look more like a coupe than a sedan.
Its interior is unique with several surprise-and-delight touches that lend it a high-tech feel.
So if you want a Bombardier (that’s a plane) which moves on land with all the luxury for less than the price of a plane, then the XF is the car you need.
Till next week, be safe.
l Fact D. Jeke is a motoring enthusiast who has attended auto shows, rallies and has written for various publications in the region for the last decade. She can be contacted via email on [email protected]