The first of a new breed of Jaguar cars rolled off the production line to a fanfare at its Castle Bromwich plant this morning.
The new XF is a vitally important car for Jaguar, as it has the potential to secure its future – along with the jobs of some 2,500 workers at Castle Bromwich. Jaguar is currently on the market after being put up for sale by owners Ford, with Indian conglomerate Tata the favourite to take possession of the Leaping Car firm.
The XF will replace the retro-style S-Type – which has not been a success in the showrooms – as Jaguar’s mid-range executive car. It will compete in a highly competitive sector of the market against the latest models from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Lexus. The XF embraces the traditional Jaguar values of performance and luxury but wraps them up in a distinctively muscular 21st century look.
There are clear styling links to its sporty cousin the XK and the car has a coupé-style profile with its rising waistline and low-slung roof. The XF also showcases the latest in automotive technology, including features like ultra-rapid shift-by-wire gear changing. The general reaction to the new car has been very encouraging for Jaguar and it has already scooped the 2007 Design Award at this year’s Autocar Awards. More importantly, some 1,500 UK customers have placed orders for the XF, even though most will not have seen it in the metal.
Prices range from £33,900 to £54,900 and, although production has now started, customers will have to wait until March for the first deliveries to be made. Commenting on the launch of the XF, Richard Else, operations director at Castle Bromwich, said: “Today is a significant milestone for Jaguar and a very proud moment for the Castle Bromwich team who have worked tirelessly to ensure this car delivers the highest levels of quality and refinement customers have come to expect from Jaguar.”
6 Comments
Congratulations Jaguar You Certainly have a Winner Here,Cannot Wait to receive The XF in Cape Town,South Africa.Hope to be One of the First Supercharge Owners.
it looks like a volvo s
it has completely lost the distinctice Jaguar looks
what a wasted opportunity
I’m having 4.
One for me
One for my wife
and 2 for my goldfish
I am very sad to hear that Tata may purchase Jaguar. If this happens, it will be the death of Jaguar and Land Rover.
Who would pay so much money that these cars command if they were Indian?
No offense to India but it hardly conjures up an image of high tech engineering prowess and cutting edge design.
Whoever said it looks like a Volvo S has clearly not seen the car in the flesh. It look fabulous and like nothing else on the road today.
I own a “distintive” Jag currently and can’t wait to order an XF.
It is an exciting tme for Jag.
Jonno. Britain hardly conjures up an image of hitech engineering prowess and cutting edge design neither. In fact, Indian engineers are perhaps some of the best people to work on such a brand of vehicle. Over 40% of NASA’s software and mechanial engineers are from India, and they send people into space. I’m sure designing the next generation of luxury marque vehicles will be a walk in the park for them. You will find out in good time.