of this magnitude are largely unnecessary,
but wait until you've seen it in action before
you judge it. Really � it's all right.
Flash touches
A touch screen in the centre console deals
with all the usual array of driver comfort
settings, and everything you need is at
your fingertips. Other flash touches
include proximity switches to control the
front interior lights and glovebox.
Passengers in the front will find
themselves well catered for, too, with
ample leg room and good seats, but don't
put anyone tall in the back. The leg room
is reasonably good, but those smart,
swooping lines that look so great on the
outside take their toll on the inside �
head room is not copious.
Needless to say, the boot passes the golf
club test, and even passed the `can Matt
the photographer get all his paraphernalia
in the boot without having to leave some
of it behind' test.
Underneath all this new and shiny
stuff, though, is a familiar friend. As is
the trend these days, the diesel will be the
biggest seller and the 2.7 V6 in this car is
the same one from the previous S-type.
Don't be put off; this 204bhp twin-
turbo powerplant is one of the most
refined diesel engines ever built.
It's not the punchiest of engines, but in a
straight line it's still faster than the 3.0
petrol. Put your foot down and you surge
forward on a linear wave of torque, the
engine just loud enough to make you aware
of its fuel type. However, when you weigh
it up against BMW's 530d and Audi's A6
3.0 TDi, it's the Jaguar that's left trailing.
Life's no drag
Happily, life isn't all about drag races, and
the smooth diesel mated to a six-speed ZF
auto box makes for an extraordinarily
relaxed drive. You won't care that the
BMW driver has stormed past you either,
because you'll be having too much fun
piloting the XF around corners.
Finally, we have a Jaguar which handles
as well as a BMW, and it's about time.
Yes, it rolls a bit more than a 5 series, but
it's just as composed through the bends,
assisted by perfectly weighted steering.
33
THE ROADTRIP
Destination: Brooklands Museum
The birthplace of British motorsport,
Brooklands is home to scores of historic
vehicles, aircraft and exhibits, including cars
from the 1800s, a Grand Prix exhibit and a
Concorde. A full calendar of events and a kids'
zone will also keep the terrors happy while you
indulge your automotive fantasy.
Tel: 01932 857381
SatNav postcode: KT13 0QN
Eat at: Foxhills
At the heart of a 400-acre estate in Surrey,
stands this 19th-century manor house, which
incorporates three restaurants with different
atmospheres. Whether you're more suited
to a romantic meal for two, a celebratory drink
or a boistrous pizza party for the kids, they
have it covered.
For more information, tel: 01932 872050
Also stop at...
Oxshott, for a quick look at how the other half
live, and then on to where they work -
Chelsea's training ground in Cobham.
While you're there, why not drop in on Painshill
Park (01932 868 113), one of the finest
18th-century lanscaped parks in Europe and an
excellent place to relax and take in the greenery.
The ride is class leading, too: at low
speeds it's firm without being harsh, and
on the motorway it absorbs bumps and
ridges without that unnerving floaty
feeling many large cars have.
Really, if you need a car to get you
from A-B in the most unruffling manner
possible, grab the keys to an XF � it's
better than its rivals.
There is, of course, a big V8 version
too. If you're serious about collecting
reward points from your local petrol
station, Jaguar will happily exchange
�55,000 for a 4.2 litre, 420bhp
supercharged V8 XF.
Given that the �33,900 diesel will hit
60 in 8.4 seconds and return nearly
40mpg, even the more monied buyers
will be thinking twice before they splash
the readies on the barnstormer.
Whichever engine you opt for, however,
the chassis is such a gem it'll put on smile
on your face however you drive it.
The world-class car from Jaguar we've
been waiting for, the XF completes a
line-up the company can once again
be fully proud of.

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