Jaguar XF 5.0 V8 : PURR-FECTION AT A PRICE

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The Jaguar XF is a great fit with its 5.0-litre V8. It's a shame that only a few will have the means to enjoy it. Steve Walker reports.

Sometimes you need to suspend rational argument and go with your gut instincts. The 5.0-litre V8 version of Jaguar's XF executive saloon is a car that you really shouldn't buy if you live in the UK. It will be very expensive to run and it's hardly what you could call cheap in the first place. No, you definitely shouldn't buy this car but the more you look at it, the more you sit in it and the more you drive it, the more you'll want to.

It appears that Jaguar has a malevolent streak tucked beneath all that chrome and wood veneer. It knows that this 5.0-litre V8 XF will only sell in very small numbers in the UK market but it offers the car here anyway, knowing full well that its blend of flowing lines and effortless V8 performance will be too much for some to resist. The vast majority of buyers will choose the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine and a few more will go all out for the sharper set-up of the high performance XFR. The 5.0 V8 uses the same engine as the XFR but without the supercharger and in a more relaxed state of tune. It's really designed more for the American market, where a thunderous petrol V8 is still an essential component in any executive car. Over here, it's expensive but it comes closer to recreating the old-school Jag feel than any other XF. The 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel offered in the XF is an outstanding piece of work on Jaguar's part which only makes the 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine's job tougher. In its most powerful form, the diesel has more torque with a gargantuan 600Nm compared to `only' 514Nm from the V8 and is only 0.4s behind the V8's 5.5s time for the sprint to 60mph.

"There's no doubt that the Jaguar XF 5.0 V8 is a more desirable prospect than the 3.0-litre diesel alternative if you ignore the costs attached to it."

A key benefit of the petrol car comes in its superior refinement. It's beautifully composed at cruising speeds and only responds with a seductive V8 burble when coaxed into life. The magic happens far higher in the rev range than with the diesel. Peak power of 385bhp arrives at 6,500rpm, by which point the engine's deep baritone is in full swing. In the diesel there's 275bhp at 4,000rpm and the next gear beckons shortly after that. Compared to the hooligan tendencies of the XFR, the standard 5.0-litre V8 goes for pace of the effortless variety. The suspension is 30% softer than on the hardcore range-topper and the steering isn't as direct, so there's less immediacy to the driving experience, but the XF's inherent suppleness and balance are still in evidence. This is still an extremely fast car. This doesn't appear to be the most spacious model in its sector but the coupe-like lines of the XF do belie the amount of space inside. There's room for five adults in comfort, generous interior stowage and a boot capacity of up to 540 litres (plus the opportunity to fold the rear seats and add a further 420 litres). At 4961mm long and 1877mm wide on a lengthy 2909mm wheelbase, the XF is 45mm longer and 25mm wider than its nearest 'dimensional' competitor, the Audi A6 - with even greater advantages over the BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. On entry to the XF, the start button pulses red in case you were in any doubt as to what to do next. Start the engine and the JaguarDrive Selector gearchange dial rises from the centre console, while rotating air conditioning vents turn from their flush, 'parked' position ready to function. Jaguar set out to make the XF an experience in itself and the car manages to feel more special than any other executive saloon. The Portfolio trim level accompanies the 5.0-litre V8 engine and includes a vast array of equipment. There's full double stitched leather trim, suede headlining, deep pile carpets, heated and ventilated front seats, a 440w Bowers and Wilkins stereo system, satellite navigation and 20" alloy wheels. Compared to the most powerful diesel engine with the same specification, the V8 comes at a premium of nearly £6,000 but it's a full £10,000 below the mighty XFR. Like all the XF models, the 5.0 V8 uses Jaguar's Sequential Shift six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted 'paddles' for manual gear selection. Key driving aids on the XF include Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, the usual Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control. There's also Understeer Control Logic which decelerates the car and helps to restore grip to the front wheels when required. The upfront price differential between the top diesel and this 5.0-litre V8 might look tempting but it's less so when you consider the ongoing costs. The combined cycle economy for the V8 is 25mpg, which is good for a 5.0-litre petrol engine in a 1,800kg saloon but the diesel manages 42mpg. Company car users will also look with concern at the 264g/km CO2 emissions which spell a king-sized tax bill compared to the 179g/km of the oil-burner. Buyers must also factor in the group 19 insurance (the diesel is in group 17) and that the residual values of this V8 will be rather less buoyant than those of the diesel model. The more you avoid contemplating the costs and focus on the car, the better. There's no doubt that the Jaguar XF 5.0 V8 is a more desirable prospect than the 3.0-litre diesel alternative if you ignore the costs attached to it. The fact is that very few buyers are in a position to do that and they'll end up driving the diesel models. The V8's high revving performance, effortless pace and refinement are outstanding and together, produce an experience that's in tune with what we all assume a Jaguar should be. Times have moved on and UK buyers who can afford the XF 5.0 V8's brand of luxury are in the minority but those that can won't find many better ways of spending their money than this. The XF's secret is in the way it feels special and charismatic in comparison to its German rivals and that charisma is only magnified by the presence of a V8 of this calibre.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Jaguar XF 5.0 V8
PRICE: £49,900 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 19
CO2 EMISSIONS: 264g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 5.5s / Max Speed 155 mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 16mpg /(extra urban) 36mpg / (combined) 25.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front/side/window airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4961/2053/1460mm