Spy Shots: Jaguar XF
by John Neff on Jan 29th 2007 at 7:06PM 
The last actual spy shots of Jaguar's replacement for the S-Type sedan we brought you way back in October. At the time, mules of the car were wearing the body of the current S-Type with a modified front clip that was obscured from view by a thick cover. These are the first spy shots we've seen of the XF, which the new sedan will be called, that show the actual production body style of the car. Note the high beltline and coupe-like profile of the roof. The front end is clearly inspired if not lifted directly from the C-XF concept that Jaguar debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. The rear of the car also clearly shows those thin taillamps from the concept that span the width of the back. This mule is also wearing particularly large wheels, maybe 18- or 19-inchers sporting five wide spokes. Though the XF will largely carry over the underpinnings and engines of the current S-Type, the design is shaping up to be an eye-catching number that could, we stress could, turn around the fortunes of PAG's most beleagured brand. [Source: BilNorge.no via CoolBrits.net]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A 7:14PM (1/29/2007)
For the sake of the company, I hope the production design and form doesn't deviate much from those of the concept...the C-XF concept was one the most beautiful I've seen years...
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Wyce 7:38PM (1/29/2007)
From the looks of it, Jaguar seems to be sticking to the concept quite a bit.
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Lee Gibson 7:34PM (1/29/2007)
Wow, I'm glad somebody likes the C-XF. I think it's dreadful. It looks like a cross between the (new) Mondeo and an Aston Martin, and doesn't look nearly as good as either.
Too much FoMoCo DNA, not enough Jaguar. More Jaguar, please. Only with good electronics.
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Galvin 8:01PM (1/29/2007)
that prototype is riding on GTi wheels!
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Ekow 11:03PM (1/29/2007)
Looks like the new Grand Prix to me...
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Atomicbri 8:32PM (1/29/2007)
I think Jaguar has to get this right, because I am not sure if it can keep in its downward spiral in sales without the plug being pulled. I loved the showcar. The C-XF shows that Jaguar can break from its tradition and offer something hot. Poster #2 said it had a bit of Aston in it and that would not suprise me at all since Ford may be unloading Aston, it would make sense to keep some of the Aston designs for themselves before the buyout. I hope the regular car is just as exciting as the showcar is. If it is tamer, at least let's hope Jaguar will be offering a "C" or "R" version for those of us who loved the showcar. Good luck Jaguar, I hope you don't water it down too much for the final version
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Aki 9:29PM (1/29/2007)
It looks like the front end has been toned down--namely, the headlights are bigger. That's a shame, because the front end is what completed the aggressive look. Here's hoping it doesn't destroy the impact of the car.
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Jagexpert 9:50PM (1/29/2007)
Aki they had to increase the size of the head lamps as the ones on the Concept do not meet European and U.S. gobernment safety standards. Not the designers fault
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Rohith 11:52PM (1/29/2007)
The C-XF had a dramatic shoulder line that rose out of the fender line and beveled sharply in to the greenhouse; that appears to have been toned down to the point of extinction on this. Too bad. I really liked that styling element about the concept. That rendering is also a bit optimistic on the front fenders; I doubt it'll be quite that aggressive in production form. Still, if the real XF looks like that rendering, I think it'll be a styling success.
Now if they just get the mechanicals, build quality, reliability, and interior up to snuff (if they just do as good a job with this as they did with the XK, I'll be happy), they could put my name on the waiting list . . .
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Aki 2:24AM (1/30/2007)
"Aki they had to increase the size of the head lamps as the ones on the Concept do not meet European and U.S. gobernment safety standards. Not the designers fault"
I was thinking about this and somehow doubt it--some production cars (at least in US) have pretty narrow headlights. First and third generation Eclipse come immediately to mind.
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BOB 3:21AM (1/30/2007)
May I mention again to #2 and others:
Jaguar lost well over 20 years of design development during their various travails.
The last trend-setting Jaguar sedan was the XJ Series III in 1979, Pinifarina's marvellously effective, but fairly minor, facelift of Lyons' 1968 creation.
All that "Jaguar heritage" stuff was copied to death long ago. Do you remember when the present XJ came out, how it was startingly like prior Buicks?
Great leaps are needed. (and I dont mean the cat on the hood).
There was almost a similar story for BMW -- but they went to the controversial Bangle looks while the lights at THEIR party were still bright. Jag is down to a couple of candles, after that XJ, a middling retro S, and the undistinguished and too feminine X sedan.
... from the Jaguar website:
"The Jaguar XF is a new sports sedan that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," commented Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars. "Our new XK sports car has been very well-received and is enjoying great success. We are now moving on to the next stage of Jaguar's exciting new design era – and if you like the new XK, just wait until you see the new Jaguar XF!"
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Nellydesign 8:51AM (1/30/2007)
Yes, the current "traditional" look is not selling. I think the concept did a great job of giving Jaguar some new hotness, yet keeping the feline and athletic nature that the cars should have to be "Jag-you-ar". This looks great and they are going through great pains to cover up the backlight which makes me wonder how close or far it is from the concepts super fast rear window.
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