2009 Jaguar XF

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2009 Jaguar XF Buzz Station

When it goes on sale in March, the mission of the 2009 Jaguar XF is to reestablish Jaguar as the world's premier builder of flat-out sexy automobiles. We're not talking about an S-Type replacement that merely battles the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series spec by spec — but primal automotive lust.

That this new coupelike sedan would define Jaguar for the next decade was apparent when it showed up lightly disguised as the C-XF Concept at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. And it made this the most anticipated new Jaguar in a generation. Spy shots and spy video of the XF became very prevalent on the Internet. And anticipation grew as XF prototypes looped the Nürburgring.

Even now, well after the car's official introduction at the Frankfurt auto show, spy photographers feed on the new Jag. Now spy shots of the XF-R performance version are making headlines. It's rumored to have 500 horsepower.

Jag is bypassing the timid with the rear-drive XF and so equips it solely with 4.2-liter DOHC, 32-valve V8 engines supported by six-speed automatic transmissions. The naturally aspirated XF is rated at 300 hp, while the Supercharged model screams out 420 hp.

"Cars like the original XJ6 left a lasting legacy and my ambition has been to create something as seminal," Design Director Ian Callum said. "The XF is that car."

So Callum applied the XK's "design language" and the result is an aerodynamic four-door with near-fastback proportions. So close is the XF to the XK that their windshields rake back at the same angle. What's missing, however, is the "Leaper" hood ornament. Instead, the XF gets the coupe line's traditional "Growler" jewelry in the grille and the Leaper moves to the deck lid.

Jaguar uses aluminum structures for its XJ and XK flagships, but sticks with a steel unibody for the XF. Both the front double wishbone and rear multilink independent suspension systems use many aluminum components and the Supercharged XF model adds Jaguar's Computer Adaptive Technology (CATS) system with computer-controlled adaptive dampers. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires are standard on the normally aspirated car, while the blower version rolls on 20s.

That means the XF Supercharged wears the largest wheels and tires in its class, which is fitting because the XF itself is large for its class. At 195.3 inches long and 73.9 inches wide, the Jaguar XF is longer and wider than all of its competitors.

Built around a new rotary transmission controller, the XF's interior looks like an expensive, ultramodern stereo system. Some elements, like that tranny dial, rise up only when they're needed and virtually all switches are lit by glowing blue auras. And lighting the interior itself is an indirect "phosphor blue" halo system. This being a Jag, there are also loads of straight-grained oak and walnut wood and double-stitched leather around. But it's also accented with textured aluminum.

"Everything you see, smell, feel and touch on this car is entirely new" is how Mick Mohan, the XF's chief program engineer described it.

"And I promise you," added Callum, "there's nothing from a Ford in here, either."

Of course the XF's interior packs the expected entertainment, navigation and gear-stowing technologies. But the XF's interior could be the most stunning around — and it better be.

Because to succeed, the XF must be flat-out sexy.

2009 JAGUAR XF