Jaguar XF is ‘Car of the Decade’

The Southern Guild of Motoring Writers has declared the Jaguar XF the car of the decade at the SGMW’s 10th anniversary event.

Designed by Ian Callum, under Ford’s ownership, the XF demonstrated that Jaguar had finally realised that building cars that were a pastiche of past glories was no longer enough to guarantee sales.

Under the skin, much of the Jaguar XF carried over from its predecessor – the Jaguar S Type – but it was in the execution that the XF demonstrated it was capable of giving Jaguar new life.

Gone was the ‘old’ Jaguar look to be replaced by a modern and convincing design that still had hints of Jaguar past, but didn’t rely on its heritage to make a statement.

But it was the interior of the XF that was perhaps the biggest surprise. Out went the ‘Gentleman’s Club’ interior to be replaced with a modern take on all that Jaguar does well, with plenty of theatre thrown in for good measure; back lit instruments, ambient lighting and the delight of the revolving air vents and rising gear knob.

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It may have been Ford that gave the XF life, but it’s been Tata that has made the XF a serious player in the premium market. The introduction soon after launch of the 3.0 litre diesel engine – a diesel as good as any from BMW – and the potent 5.0 litre supercharged engine in the XFR took the XF to a new level, and the more recent launch of the 2.2 litre diesel in the XF has opened up the fleet market for Jaguar.

Next up is the XF Sportbrake – Jaguar’s appealing XF Estate – and we’re expecting Jaguar to reveal an XF Coupe and perhaps an XF convertible before too long.

The Jaguar XF as Car of the Decade is a subjective judgement by the Southern Guild of Motoring Writers, but it’s a judgement we have no argument with.

Well done, Jaguar XF.

By Cars UK