Is the New Jaguar XF a Stunning Looker or a Derivative Poser?
Taking a cue from my 24/7 blog mate Torbin, I've decided to lead with a more provocative post title prompted by my first live sighting of the new Jaguar XF on Hwy. 101 the other evening. At first blush (I came upon it from the right rear), before I had a positive ID as to the make, I took it to be just another amalgam of Japanese corporate committee styling, or perhaps another upmarket Hyundai, albeit with a little more flair.
My memory started to register a radio spot I had half caught earlier in the week for the XF that included some drivel about the electronic key fob that pulses visually to the engine's heartbeat, the incredible novelty of the disappearing shift and some other aspect of the luxurious interior that captivate. A synapse or two made the connection and now I was interested in the beast.
Backing off the throttle, I began circling around it, taking it in. No, it wasn't quite as it first seemed, because there was a bit more verve to the lines, an assertiveness that is generally lacking in vehicles from the Far East (or in Nissan's case, a bit of false assertiveness). It was definitely a Jaguar, but one that has finally shed the visual references to the post-classic period in Jag styling - it is (at last) not a thrice reborn XJ6 (XJ8 > X-Type). I'm beginning to think this is progress, and some aspects, if not the whole package, are indeed pleasing.
Unfortunately for Jaguar's marketing positioning, this Cat's driver more closely matched a past, now almost fossilized Jaguar demographic rather than the one they're ostensibly (or do I mean ostentatiously, or even desperately?) attempting to attract now.Automotive gestation being what it is, I knew this wasn't in anyway Tata influenced - other than knowing that the new Indian masters have given Jag the AOK to proceed with their renaissance when Ford could not. (One can't help but savor the irony of the formerly colonized owning such a hallowed brand.)
I would think that the XF is the fruition of the make or break remake that seems to have taken hold of Jaguar prior to the Tata sale. Overall, the my first take says that the XF is not all that bad, but I couldn't shake the feeling that a lot of what I was seeing had been done before,and recently. What influences were at work here? Whose styling cues are tweaking and probing my visual receptors? And my visceral reaction?
As I came up on the beast from behind, we might as well start the styling originations there, and as I mentioned before, one of my first thoughts was of Hyundai. The Korean company has a history of rather shamelessly "borrowing" many design cues from both across the Eastern Sea and Europe. Most recently from BMW and the Bangle school of auto butt design. For all the disparagement BMW has taken this development has been influential (add Camry alongside Hyundai). Notwithstanding BMW's almost tacit admission that it perhaps might not be what the masses want (the 3-series continues to lack a bangle butt even in the mid-cycle redesign for 2009) is not reflected in the new 7 series, and I must say Jaguar has let it influence their rear end treatment of the XF in a softer, gentler way as you can see.
The BMW influence continues in the Jag's C pillar, showing a soft, but striking, a Hofmeister Kink (although BMW's Wilhelm Hofmeister gets the credit, it turns out the real credit for this enduring styling trick goes back a decade further to the Dodge Dart of 1964 or even beyond that to a 1951 Kaiser). 
Moving to the front, the Jag sports a look that shows a profound Maserati similarity along with latter day Volvo influences a well (the grille pucker - perhaps from having Ford as the uber owner of the two?). The Maserati cues are particularly noticeable in the grille's ovoid shape and the raised, tapering hood bulge.
And in between? Well the roofline doesn't buck any trends, emulating the Mercedes CLS with the pseudo coupe look and the wheel arches scream Audi. But it's getting more difficult to be truly original these days, and Jaguar can't afford (can Tata?) another miscue in a marketplace that has little patience for a marque that milks nostalgia like the Cat has in the past. From an aesthetic standpoint, I think Jaguar has actually come up with a visually pleasing package, and as a package, it falls closer to stunning looker than a derivative poser. I wish them success - let's hope it drives as well as it looks.
My memory started to register a radio spot I had half caught earlier in the week for the XF that included some drivel about the electronic key fob that pulses visually to the engine's heartbeat, the incredible novelty of the disappearing shift and some other aspect of the luxurious interior that captivate. A synapse or two made the connection and now I was interested in the beast.
Backing off the throttle, I began circling around it, taking it in. No, it wasn't quite as it first seemed, because there was a bit more verve to the lines, an assertiveness that is generally lacking in vehicles from the Far East (or in Nissan's case, a bit of false assertiveness). It was definitely a Jaguar, but one that has finally shed the visual references to the post-classic period in Jag styling - it is (at last) not a thrice reborn XJ6 (XJ8 > X-Type). I'm beginning to think this is progress, and some aspects, if not the whole package, are indeed pleasing.
Unfortunately for Jaguar's marketing positioning, this Cat's driver more closely matched a past, now almost fossilized Jaguar demographic rather than the one they're ostensibly (or do I mean ostentatiously, or even desperately?) attempting to attract now.Automotive gestation being what it is, I knew this wasn't in anyway Tata influenced - other than knowing that the new Indian masters have given Jag the AOK to proceed with their renaissance when Ford could not. (One can't help but savor the irony of the formerly colonized owning such a hallowed brand.)
I would think that the XF is the fruition of the make or break remake that seems to have taken hold of Jaguar prior to the Tata sale. Overall, the my first take says that the XF is not all that bad, but I couldn't shake the feeling that a lot of what I was seeing had been done before,and recently. What influences were at work here? Whose styling cues are tweaking and probing my visual receptors? And my visceral reaction?
As I came up on the beast from behind, we might as well start the styling originations there, and as I mentioned before, one of my first thoughts was of Hyundai. The Korean company has a history of rather shamelessly "borrowing" many design cues from both across the Eastern Sea and Europe. Most recently from BMW and the Bangle school of auto butt design. For all the disparagement BMW has taken this development has been influential (add Camry alongside Hyundai). Notwithstanding BMW's almost tacit admission that it perhaps might not be what the masses want (the 3-series continues to lack a bangle butt even in the mid-cycle redesign for 2009) is not reflected in the new 7 series, and I must say Jaguar has let it influence their rear end treatment of the XF in a softer, gentler way as you can see.
The BMW influence continues in the Jag's C pillar, showing a soft, but striking, a Hofmeister Kink (although BMW's Wilhelm Hofmeister gets the credit, it turns out the real credit for this enduring styling trick goes back a decade further to the Dodge Dart of 1964 or even beyond that to a 1951 Kaiser). 
Moving to the front, the Jag sports a look that shows a profound Maserati similarity along with latter day Volvo influences a well (the grille pucker - perhaps from having Ford as the uber owner of the two?). The Maserati cues are particularly noticeable in the grille's ovoid shape and the raised, tapering hood bulge.
And in between? Well the roofline doesn't buck any trends, emulating the Mercedes CLS with the pseudo coupe look and the wheel arches scream Audi. But it's getting more difficult to be truly original these days, and Jaguar can't afford (can Tata?) another miscue in a marketplace that has little patience for a marque that milks nostalgia like the Cat has in the past. From an aesthetic standpoint, I think Jaguar has actually come up with a visually pleasing package, and as a package, it falls closer to stunning looker than a derivative poser. I wish them success - let's hope it drives as well as it looks.Labels: Dodge, Hofmeister Kink, Jaguar XF, Kaiser, Mercedes CLS, Tata
posted by Chasmo at
10:31 PM
5 Comments:
Chasmo, I found this to be thought prevoking, mainly because I have a viceral dis-like for the new XK Jags and have been lumping the XF into that category. Your posting made me look again at the car.
Alas after looking again, I find it lacking. The graceful, distinctive lines of a Jag are missing. The front, which sharing components with the Maserati, has beefed up like the American muscle cars which destroys the grace of the car. The back of the car come across as a pedestrial sedan these days. I can go on, but in short, I find the recent changes in the Jaguars to have eliminated the character and grace of the cars.
Was that XF mine? Since I drive 101 every day and fit that description of being from the past ( 77+ ), and have not in the last six months come upon another XF on 101 myself.....
In any case, I love this car... it's my 8th jag since 1964. It's the supercharged version and can do quite a number very rapidly if you want it to and the bad guys are not watching. The innovations... gear wheel, disappearing AC ducts, pulsing start button.etc seemed like gimmicks at first but have grown up in my mind's eye to actually be functional.
I use the adaptive cruise control on 101 all the time. All cars should have this.
Yes the car does get your attention at a glance perhaps, but best of all it is a jaguar, whether from Coventry, Dearborn or Bombay.
Response to John's comments. As can be seen from my original post, I've had almost every style of Jag since 1964, and have lamented each time at this or that change. But, given the options... the Lucas electrics, Stromberg carbs, wipers that almost never worked, etc... but my 1964 3.8 S sedan also had wooden folding tables in the back, those great toggle switches, the wood and steel steering wheel... Time marches on... and so do styling ideas (good and not so good). Given all this, I have come to love this latest addition to the fleet.
Torbin & Chasmo,
Are you guys still blogging? I had come to look forward to the new posts on a weekly basis.
Looking forward to some new posts!
JW
Jason- Thanks for missing us - both Torbin and I have been slammed with work lately - man I rather be blogging and driving, much more fun.
Things a slowing down a bit so stay tuned...and Tom and John, I appreciate your feedback on the Jag post, I surely want them to continue building cars and I hope under Tata's leash or wing they can prosper and build fine motorcars that people lust after.
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