Jaguar XF R-Sport 35t 2016 Review

Jaguar XF R-Sport 35t
Road Test

A supercharged 3.0-litre V6 adds extra refinement, and performance, over the four-cylinder engines available in Jaguar’s XF. Slotting neatly between the XE and XJ models, the $104 800 (plus on-road costs) R-Sport 35t brings a totally-Jaguar driving experience in terms of on-road briskness while at the same time looking after all of its passengers remarkably well. Apart from a few niggles about standard equipment levels, there’s really very little to criticise.

Jaguar is doing the discreet thing right now in not allowing its new XF sedan range to get tangled in the-upmanship on display among its hyper-V8 Euro sedan competitors.

By contrast with BMW’s 423kW/680Nm M5, Audi’s 445kW/700Nm RS 7 or the mighty Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG S – which punches out a monumental 430kW/700Nm – even the most highly-powered offering in the XF line-up, the 35t S, offers a mere 280kW/450Nm from its modest, Ford-sourced supercharged 3.0-litre V6.

At 250kW/450Nm the R-Sport version tested here produces even less.

But that’s as things stand right now. Word is that Jaguar has V8-powered R and SVR versions of its XE and XF, and has just released its V8-powered XJ models, closing the gap to the Germans via the energetic 5.0-litre V8 already in use in the F-TYPE R.

So as the world waits for Jaguar to play its hand in the premium Euro hot-rod segment, we are left for the time being with just supercharged V6s to assuage our kilowatt cravings.

But if you reckon this means Jaguar is short-changing us, it might be a good idea to think again.

After all, there was a time when we thought any car that accelerated 0-100km/h in five seconds was close to being devastatingly fast: The XF R-Sport manages to get there in 5.1sec – nowhere near as quickly as Benz, BMW and Audi V8s, but accomplished with a serenity that contrasts with the launch-controlled, shrieking and smoking antics on display elsewhere.

No doubt Jaguar will eventually be right in there when the F-TYPE’s V8 finds its way on board the XF. But what we have today is more than enough to suit buyers not interested in having the absolute fastest luxury saloon on the block.

So far, the XF is doing well on the sales charts: Year-to-date figures from April see it has yet to hit its straps but with 172 registrations so far this year (242 for the previous model during the same period in 2015) it’s equal with sedan versions of BMW’s 5 Series (173) and right in the ballpark with the Audi A6 (197) – if, like BMW and Audi, still well in arrears of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan at 310 sales so far.

And it’s nice to see a British contender in the segment. With its smooth, free-revving V6, supple and agile suspension, and its cosy, tasteful British internal ambience, the XF 35t is all cat-like grace.

Subtly larger but clearly related to its XE sibling, the XF offers more of everything, but not a lot more weight. On average, less than 50kg separates equivalent XE and XF models which is just as well because, despite its aluminium-intensive structure, the 1710kg V6 petrol XF – unlike the four-cylinder diesel version – is really no lighter than its Benz or BMW equivalents.

The interior is roomier than the XE, particularly the back seat – which Jaguar claims is segment-leading – and so is the boot. The latter, helped by a space-saver spare, grows from the XE’s 450 litres to a decent 505; although there’s still some tightness in the width of the opening into the back-seat area.

The XF’s cabin is all restrained tastefulness, similar in style to the XE but with a more sweeping dash profile accentuating the sense of space. The outer air vents are neatly hidden, smoothly emerging once the ignition is turned on, and there’s the same pop-up, rotating gear selector on the centre console. The steering wheel with its over-size centre pad is virtually interchangeable with the XE.

Cosy and supportive power front seats – with memory settings only on the driver’s side – are helped along, in terms of driving position, by the electric steering column adjustment, while settling in to make acquaintance with Bluetooth connections, sat-nav operation, the sound system and heating-ventilation controls are easy and intuitive.

At this level though, we were a little surprised at some of the omissions from the XF’s standard gear: The R-Sport lacks a few of the things becoming common once the $100k line is crossed, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist (the errant driver just gets a warning), blind-spot sensor, rear cross-traffic alert, brake-assisted cruise control, LED headlights and internal niceties such as head-up display, digital radio, seat heating/cooling.

But high and low-speed autonomous emergency braking, self-parking ability and a rear-view camera are all there, as are four-mode driving controls (Eco, Dynamic, Normal and Winter) and auto-levelling bi-xenon headlights with washers.

As well as a discreet display of external body kit (different front air intakes, added side skirts and a tiny boot spoiler) and 19-inch Vortex alloys with 245/40-series tyres, the R-Sport is more tied-down than other XFs yet the ride remains very comfortable and compliant, helped by the long wheelbase (more than E-Class Benz and Audi A6 but fractionally less than BMW 5 Series) and well-sorted spring-shock balance.

The R-Sport proceeds with a nice interpretation of Jaguar aplomb from the early days of the original XJ6, yet feels wonderfully responsive to the quick, electrically-assisted steering which is becoming something of a benchmark in the category.

The XF tends to wrap itself around the driver. It communicates clearly and responds accurately so that it feels a bit smaller (it’s body is actually longer than Benz, Audi or BMW equivalents) and lighter than it actually is. Revealing its pedigree as a dynamically-focussed luxury brand, it feels at home in just about any circumstances.

The beautifully silky supercharged 3.0-litre V6 responds seamlessly from low revs and emits a cultured, distant howl when being wound out towards its 6800rpm redline. It’s just the thing you expect from a Jaguar and is more in keeping with the image than the rorty 2.0-litre petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines.

And, in a nod of recognition to the driver who likes to feel engaged with the car, he or she are left to their own devices when using the paddle shifters: The eight-speed ZF auto holds the chosen gear until told to do otherwise. Under most circumstances the driver simply sets the rotary selector knob, selects the preferred drive mode and lets the car make its own decisions.

And that’s the way most XF owners – even R-Sport owners – will tend to use their mid-level Jaguars. The smooth, silent, swift and capacious XF 35t is more about refinement and passenger comfort than grappling with a winding, narrow road or lining up on the drag strip.

Sure, it’s well and truly quick enough and it drives wonderfully well, but it’s the sheer class of the XF Jag that makes the most lasting impression.

2016 Jaguar XF R-Sport 35t pricing and specifications:
Price: $104 800 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder supercharged-petrol
Output: 250kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 198g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Audi A6 (from $79,900)
>> BMW 5 Series (from $82,300)
>> Mercedes-Benz E-Class (from $81,990)