THE CAT’S PYJAMAS
NOTHING SCREAMS BRITISH FINESSE LOUDER THAN JAGUAR XF. THIS CAR IS SIMPLY STUNNING
Before we get to the fantastic wonderfulness that is the Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol, let me explain the choice of headline. ‘ The Cat’s Pyjamas’ is a very 60’ s expression that was used to describe music that was way cool. ‘ It’s the cat’s pyjamas, man! The bees knees!’, they’d rabbit on in their semicoherent state with reference to a new song by Led Zeppelin. There’s no modern day equivalent of the expression.
There’s no modern day equivalent or substitute to this Jaguar either. There’s nothing else that feels quite like it. But stop me here please, because this is a car review. So let’s see what it’s like.
First things first; the XF has been on sale for seven years. That makes it older than any of its competitors. And in many ways, you can tell. Although I don’t know what these ways are because after Tommy Jag’s facelift in 2012, it still looks and feels as fresh as the morning’s newspaper. And would you look at it. Aside from those 17- inch wheels, which give it a brilliant ride, it is bite- the- back- of- your- hand beautiful. Where ze Germans are all about muscular lines and sharp edges, the XF is all about being curvy. It just flows from end- to- end and across. Yes, it doesn’t look as fresh as the offerings from Merc and Audi, but it’s got real beauty — the kind that survives the test of time and ever- changing preferences.
Not everybody knows how to use wood tastefully in their interiors ( see Audi and Toyota for details). Jaguar does. The XF’s interior has the correct kind and the perfect amount used in the most tasteful way. This is the kind of interior that lends its own character and feel to a car — like Jimmy Page’s guitaring did to Led Zeppelin. It’s got AC vents that reveal themselves when you turn the car on and a gear selector that rises from the centre console.
It’s a nice bit of drama that lifts the experience even higher. The steering boss is Jaguar’s signature growling cat which tells me one very important thing — the XF 2.0 Petrol, like all Jaguars, is a driver’s car. And what’s it like to drive? Well, it isn’t the M 5-worrying Supercharged 5.0, so it’s not fiercely powerful. But it’s not as dull and dreary as an Audi A6 either. It’s superbly progressive. It flows from overtake to overtake with phenomenal finesse. The engine puts out 240bhp and 340Nm of muscle. Jaguar claim 7.9 seconds to 100kph but that only tells half the story because like many luxury cars these days, it comes with ZF’s 8- speed automotive gem.
What this does to the tiny 2- litre fourpot is keep the acceleration smooth,
This car is not as dull and dreary as an Audi A6 and it’s superbly progressive. It simply
flows
progressive and relentless all the way to 200kph. But this Jag isn’t just about the power, it’s about the sensation of driving. That’s where the XF leaves everything behind. Not even BMW’s phenomenal 5- Series feels this good. It just feels like there’s less interference between you, the driver, and the car. Jaguar made the XF to drive and the result is something that will make you smile.
And the ride is perfectly judged. Nothing gets through. How in the name of all that’s criminally insane have they found a balance of ride, handling and feedback where they’re all beyond belief ? Honestly, there’s no downside.
But yes, we finally come back to one point that you won’t overlook — its age. What with BMW, Mercedes and Audi flogging Bradley Coopers and Ryan Reynolds, it’s hard to consider something that’s as old as the Jag.
But look at it this way, in automotive terms, the XF is George Clooney — getting on a bit, but your wife still fancies him, doesn’t she? If that’s not enough, imagine turning to her one Saturday evening when you have a posh party to attend and saying, ‘ Darling, shall we take the Jag?’