Jaguar XF provides trans-border navigation drive

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the British celebrated automaker, has added fresh aggressive features on its latest Jaguar XF model with inspired attributes.

Among the attributes is included an athletic stance and tastefully minimalistic chrome trim, touches that combine to create an elegant and purposeful look.

The sedan was recently updated with a completely reworked front fascia with a subtly reshaped grille, revamped lower vents; and newly streamlined headlights with LED daytime running lights arranged in a distinctive Jaguar 'J-Blade' signature pattern. 

Around back, the tail-lamps were extended onto the trunk lid, while a range of new wheel choices completed the visual changes.

The cabin is trimmed with the supple leather and top-quality materials one would expect of a Jaguar, while also featuring modern touches like the so-called "surprise and delight" air-conditioning vents, which present a flush dashboard surface until the ignition is switched on -- at which point they rotate to the open position. 

Also lying dormant until the car is switched on is the unusual rotary shifter, which motors up and can be rotated to select from park, reverse, neutral, drive and sequential modes.

The upgraded Jaguar XF with more supportive seats, new hide and veneer choices, and a revised colour scheme on the centre console, fascia and steering wheel that replaces the outgoing 'Tungsten' finish with a more contemporary 'Aurora' theme. 

Dynamically speaking, the XF rewards drivers with accurate, tactile steering and a well-tuned suspension that provides a good balance between ride comfort and handling prowess.

Speaking at a memorable event that saw the JLR sub-Sahara Africa team in Pretoria, South Africa, led by Willem Schoeman, Public Relations and Marketing Manager, playing host to many journalists in Africa in the estimated 1.2 million sparsely-populated Swazi kingdom on two weeks rotation of four different media groups from many African countries, including the Business and Financial Times newspaper from Ghana.

The media were educated and taken through the role and impact of anti-lock braking system (ABS), the emergency brake  assist (EBA) and other safety features of the Jag XF while on high speed of up to 200 kilometres per hour speed, when the breaks are suddenly applied in the event of an emergency.

 

The team was also taken through driving skills and manoeuvrability on sharp bends, tight corners and when confronted with obstacles on the road; and indeed the XF displayed great agility and stability, a feature lacking in contemporary rivals’ automotive engineering.

Depending on the market and what the demands require, the new XF range comprises eight models with a choice of four engines featuring two turbo diesels (2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6), a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with 177kW, as well as the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 with 250kW and 450Nm.

  

Mr. Schoeman explained that the new Jaguar XF comes with sheer driving pleasure that doesn’t need to cost the earth.

“The multi award-winning XF’s innovative design and refined engineering deliver performance without compromising on fuel efficiency,” he said. 

Meanwhile, an extensive range of intuitive technologies make it as much a joy to drive as to behold.

The XF is renowned for its performance, refined drive and effortless power. There’s a choice of engines to suit every driver and driving style, delivering power and performance with improved fuel economy. 

Moreover, buyers of the latest Jaguar XF will benefit from integrated satellite navigation with extensive maps across 22 sub-Saharan African countries. 

The first-to-market benefit makes exploring Africa that much simpler and more convenient; reducing travel time, minimising distances and increasing safety.

“Jaguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa’s extended navigation represents an industry-first as a factory-fitted integrated system: this is thanks to a combination of the latest generations of Tracks4Africa and Nokia HERE, seamlessly integrated via a sophisticated on-board unit using the acclaimed iGo primo platform that allows for SD card software and map updates.” 

This feature, which combines two separate mapping packages offered for the first time as a single, integrated solution, will give Jaguar XF drivers an unprecedented trans-border navigation capability, allowing for safe and efficient travel across Africa.

“The XF continues to offer a compelling blend of style, performance and refinement, and the changes effected from MY14.5 -- as these updates are known internally -- it remains a car that will appeal to those who are used to the finer things in life,” commented Nigel Clarke, Operations Director of JLR SSA.

“For these people, their time is one of the most important commodities; and with Extended Navigation they can use time even more efficiently by getting straight to where they want to go with minimal delay, thanks to exceptional intuitiveness and usability -- not to mention an impressive array of features.”

This rear-spoiler will be offered as an option on the 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol models, while a full aerodynamic -- which adds a revised front bumper, black grille with chrome surround, body-coloured rear valance and ‘R’ Style side sills -- is also available. 

As far as the interiors are concerned, Premium Luxury models can be enhanced with the Sport Pack comprising heated and cooled electrically-adjustable (with a dual-position memory for the driver) sports seats in soft grain leather, bright stainless steel pedals, and Jet Morzine treatment for the headlining and the roof pillars.  

 “The XF range has been the Jaguar brand’s mainstay for a number of years, and with this latest round of changes will continue to be so. Extended Navigation is especially significant in the sub-Saharan markets, where it will give us a unique selling proposition,” concluded Clarke.  

For the urban environment the mapping software of choice is Nokia HERE, which gives comprehensive coverage of over 100 cities in sub-Saharan Africa. Users simply change from the rural to the urban environment at the touch of a ‘button’ on the TFT

screen of their Jaguar, with features like lane guidance and historical traffic information (depending on the market) -- enabling users to find their hotel or the airport with minimal delay and inconvenience.  

 

“Africa is a vast continent, and you don’t want to end up too far off track,” says Nigel Clarke, Operations Director of Jaguar Land Rover sub-Saharan Africa. 

“With Extended Navigation the guesswork is taken out of it whether you’re in an urban or rural environment, adding yet another dimension to the Jaguar brand.” 

Trim level breakdown

The XF comes standard with the turbocharged four-cylinder in addition to leather upholstery, genuine wood trim, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, 250-watt, 10-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with iPod and USB ports, a seven-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity with audio streaming, a smart key system with keyless start, a rear parking aid, automatic headlights, automatic windshield wipers, and 18-inch Vela alloy wheels.

Besides the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, the rear-wheel-drive XF Supercharged brings a touch-screen navigation system with 30 GB of music storage space, a 380-watt, 10-speaker Meridian stereo with iPod and USB ports and HD radio, heated, ventilated and soft perforated leather seats with memory functionality, a heated steering wheel, leather trim with twin needle contrast stitching on the instrument panel and door roll tops, deep pile carpet mats, a driver information centre, ambient interior lighting, 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights with an intelligent high-beam system, and front and rear parking aid systems. 

 

The XF Supercharged also benefits from Jaguar's Computer Adaptive Technology Suspension (CATSTM). Shared with the XK, it uses electronically controlled, two-stage, adaptive dampers whose characteristics are automatically adjusted within milliseconds in response to road conditions and driving inputs.

Numerous options are available, with highlights including different leather and aluminum/wood trim choices, an audiophile-approved 825-watt stereo from specialist company Meridian, and a radar-based adaptive cruise control system that automatically accelerates or brakes as necessary to maintain a set distance from the car in front.

A trio of new option packages is available for the latest model year. These include the Vision Pack which includes a Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Front Lights, Intelligent High Beams and an auto-dimming rear view mirror; the Premium Pack, which adds a navigation system with voice command functionality, a 12-speaker, 380-watt Meridian sound system, front and rear parking aids, Adaptive Front Lighting and a proximity key; and the Interior Sport Pack, which brings 18-way driver and 14-way adjustable front seats in soft grain leather, and bright pedal trim.

Safety technology
Every XF model comes with dual front, side and side curtain airbags, ABS, traction and stability control systems, an emergency brake assist system and a valet mode that limits the car to low speeds.

Key competitors
Rivals to the XF include the BMW 5-Series, the Audi A6, the Lexus GS 350 and the Infiniti M37 and M56.