8 February 2011
Road test review
The Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 is a handsome car. Everything, yes even the grill at the front, contributes to the strong design. We drove the V8 variant recently, so read up on the sense of occasion that is driving a Jaguar XF V8.
The V6 variant is one of the two 'entry' level XFs, at around $115k. The other option at this end of the price range is the 2.7L TDV6 turbo diesel. At some $25k less than the V8, the petrol V6 is missing something, but does it add up to price the differential? Let's have a quick look at what you might be missing out on.
Externally there are few clues to tell it apart. This can be a good thing if you can't afford the V8, or a bad thing if you did and you want people to know that you did. On the V6 you do get subtly different alloys and being just one inch smaller than the V8s I'm not sure anyone will notice.
Enter the cabin and it's the same story really. The differences boil down to absences, like the lack of front parking aid, rear parking camera and premium sound system, which if you never had, you won't then miss. Okay so there's a slightly different colour/trim scheme for the V6 but it's still the well appointed interior you expect from Jaguar with a mix of wood (effect), leather and aluminium.
I guess the lack of two extra cylinders, 1,200cc, 44kW and 1.8sec on the dash to 100km/h are mostly responsible for the $25k saving over the V8. The V6 powerplant being smooth as opposed to the V8s lumpier warble, but both are quiet anyway.
On the road the six speed auto works equally well with the V6, providing adequate but not hurried performance. Whilst you could feel more connected to the road via the chassis and steering than Jaguar currently allows, it is a big cat after all and you are probably not supposed to. That would be like the Queen arriving in Nike trainers.
Summary
Jaguar XF V6If you can live without the V8, then the V6 is the way to go, I don't think anyone will know except you. You still get a stunning looking luxury vehicle that will cosset you from A to B, and you can spend the $25k saving on something less ostentatious like a new watch. Alternatively, if you like open air motoring then you may want to wait for the recently announced XF Roadster.
Safety
Driver and passenger front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, pedestrian contact sensing & deployable bonnet system, front seat whiplash reduction system, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC).
Technical
2,967cc V6 producing 175kW, 293Nm of torque at 4100 rpm, 8.3sec 0-100km/h, combined fuel economy of 10.5L/100km, 6-speed ZF electronic automatic transmission, speed sensitive power steering, electronic park brake, traction and stability control, Jaguar Sequential Shift with steering wheel mounted paddles, JaguarDrive Control - winter mode, auto Halogen headlights, rain sensing windscreen wipers, rear parking aid with touch screen.
Test drive top tips
Handbrake - The old 'analogue' handle has given way to a 'digital' switch. No more handbrake turns I guess.
Economy - With just 0.6L/100km (based on quoted combined figures) saving over the V8, tread lightly on the gas.
Handling - On the 'twisties' the chassis reminds you that, "Really dear, you should have got the V8. I would be much better balanced".