Jaguar! The name says it all. With an enduring history of enchanting vehicles dating way back to 1922, when its founder, 21-year-old Billy Lyons of Britain unveiled his spiffy sports car to the world, the name Jaguar has long held pride of place among the elite in the motor world. Nearly a century later this fleet of sought-after cars – with a reputation firmly built around the watchwords charm, prestige, impeccable finding a firm footing where it first began: with the young, chic and sophisticated. The evolution from its more mature driver to the youthful is
said to reside in its new tagline, ‘How Alive Are You?’
Considered a ‘sport luxury’ and the only one of its kind in that particular make, the manufacturers tip it as a car that offers “the best of both worlds.”
Describing the 2013 Jaguar XF as her ultimate style, Puls 8’s Safia Cooper says the mid-size executive car is nothing short of luxury. She gave Buzzz a glimpse into the motoring marvel and told us just why it is her car of choice.
“I like cars that are edgy – the finish, the look of the car, the sun roof. It’s just great!” she said of the XF. “It feels like a luxury car it drives like a sports car. I just love it!” With a 2.2 litre engine to pull this powerhouse, the Jaguar XF is supercharged with everything the young marketing exec needs to circle the city or to make the occasional ‘country’ get-away, like the one she was gearing up to take when we caught up with her. One of the first things that struck me about the XF is its well-built and sturdy frame – something every discerning driver will take comfort in.
No doubt, this is one of the car’s distinct appeals, especially at a time when manufacturers are said to be cutting corners, at the risk of recalling entire fleets later.
OK! So maybe the doors on this unit require too much muscle for a female driver. Still, it couldn’t exactly be considered a major con among critics.Sturdy aluminium frame aside, Safia’s XF with its polar white finish is a superb eye-catcher by day – and night.
Its cat-like eyes peering back at me, with full endorsement from its handler, I stepped back, circled its body for a good look before engaging its finer details. “It’s a beauty on the road at nights,” a beaming Safia said. Our pet name for the car is the Wild Cat,” she revealed, remarking about the graceful speed with which it glides.
“Handling is amazing!” she declared, noting the lightning speed that it picks up at a mere teasing of the gas pedal and the way it owns the road once you get going. “At first, it took me a while to drive this car. There’s a level of intimidation,” she said, contemplative… “It’s a big vehicle. Its presence is unmistakable. It forces you to drive,” she said coolly. Laughing, she related: “Some cars will come up beside me and go, ‘Vroom! Vroom!’ I don’t even look because I know what it can do”.
With a price tag of between $9 and $10 million depending on what features the driver wants, the Jaguar XF sprung me more than a few surprises as I tried to find my way around it, but not without the help of its knowledgeable driver. With ample legroom and headroom to swallow my long, slender frame once I slipped into the sturdy body-hugging leather seat, it wasn’t hard to see why this feature sat so well with my now smiling tour guide who stood at a few inches less than I. Levers to recline the seats for a well-needed cat nap for driver and passenger are a nice touch, too.
The Jaguar XF boasts features such as keyless entry and push-button start that makes turning over the XF’s powerful engine as easy as 1-2-3! The rest of the dashboard, with all its built-ins gets the luxury treatment, too. With a keypad that synchronizes the driver’s entire phonebook and highlights the last 10 numbers called as well as missed calls, who wouldn’t want that kind of convenience plus a music pad with USB, iPod and Bluetooth ports?
Then there’s the cool, climate control device that is adjustable by both driver and passenger (including the rear seaters) all in beautiful chrome finish. Similarly the controls can also be accessed on the steering wheel so Safia doesn’t have to take her eyes off the road for too long. A gentle glide of the hands will turn on sensory roof lights to show off the details of this fine finish, which will have you glued inside for much longer than anticipated.
Storage in the Jaguar XF is quite good, which means the door bins, glove compartment and centre console which doubles as an arm rest, can pack quite a bit. But more surprising is the generosity of the manufacturers in the trunk, added proof you don’t need an SUV to pack all that cargo for your out-of-town take-offs. Lots of other cool features come together in the Jaguar XF, which is as big on charm as it is on performance.
Triptonic function allowing for adjustment to road conditions, airbags and other features give added assurance to buyers contemplating the 2013 Jaguar XF, a model that has also copped the Car of the Year and Executive Car of the Year awards.
Although not her only vehicle, (she has a Mercedes Benz which she admits she’s still madly in love with) Safia says the 2013 Jaguar XF makes it that much difficult to go back. The XF is now her “everyday car” for work, errands, trips to the country, night life and much more.
Dealers ATL Automotive, who have brought in a handful of the vehicles say the model has been seeing apromising) take-up with 11 units sold so far. The company offers several attractive after-sales services including membership with the Jamaica Automobile Association.
Performance will vary depending on the package offered, says David Hastings, Brand Manager for Jaguar at ATL Automotive. A three litre v6 petrol engine, for example, will put out 240 horsepower; a three litre v6 turbo diesel engine 275 horsepower and a five litre v8 supercharged petrol engine will deliver 510hp and 550 hp depending on model (XF-R or XF).
The Jaguar XF comes in black, silver and white. For Safia, the polar white came closest to the sporty look and feel she wanted without compromising style, sophistication and performance.