British Cars Have Different Suspension

When driving a British car, I am always impressed by the skillful tuning of its suspension. First, it is very clear what kind of "suspension" they are trying to create.

Is it a luxurious setup with a relaxed stroke, a sporty setup aiming for agile response, or a stable, damping-focused setup? They can create such diverse tastes from a single car, while balancing ride comfort and handling at a high level.

It's enough to make one fantasize that the secrets of automotive suspension are preserved in the great British Empire.



On the other hand, the subdued presence of the engine is also a tradition of British cars.

Of course, there are "masterpiece engines" like the 7.5-liter inline-six in the pre-war Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost or Jaguar's "XK engine" (1949-1992), but since the 1980s, there has been a gradual trend towards "making do with what's available."

This is related to the decline of the British automotive industry in terms of scale, but it's somewhat interesting, similar to how British F1 teams aretraditionof "good at building chassis but buy engines from elsewhere."

Driving the three latest Jaguar XF models made me recall similar things.

The 2013 XF is available in three grades based on engine type: 2.0, 3.0, and R, and their suspensions are wonderfully differentiated.

What About Jaguar's Latest Engines?

Meanwhile, the supercharged V8 5.0-liter engine in the R is a "masterpiece" originally developed by Jaguar. Its high level of perfection led to its widespread use in other brands within the Ford group, of which Jaguar was a member at the time.

And the new 3.0-liter V6, added this year, is a new engine created by "chopping off" two cylinders from this V8.

One might think an engine "chopped off" wouldn't be any good, but perhaps due to its excellent origins, it also turned out to be wonderfully finished, as I will explain later.



So far, these are anecdotes illustrating that "Britain also has masterpiece engines."

British Engine Rationalism

In all grades, the gearbox is an 8-speed automatic from ZF, driving the rear wheels.

Test Drive: XF 2.0 Luxury

The first car I drove was the "XF 2.0 Luxury." Its curb weight is only 20 kg lighter than the "XJ Luxury" with the same engine, but perhaps because the body is made of steel instead of aluminum, the subtle vibrations at idle that were faintly noticeable in the XJ Luxury are completely eliminated, giving it a more serene impression.

In fact, I noticed a droning noise at 100 km/h in 8th gear in the XJ Luxury, but it was absent in the XF 2.0 Luxury. It's possible that what I perceived in the XJ Luxury was due to individual unit variation, but in any case, this alone significantly increased my positive impression of the XF 2.0 Luxury.

Moreover, on the narrow, winding Hakone roads, even on a steep uphill gradient, the 235/55R17 Pirelli P7 tires maintained a pace that would normally cause squealing, with ease.



For typical use as a saloon, from city driving to highway cruising, this engine will provide complete satisfaction.

The ride quality is of a type that feels soft to the touch yet has a moderate solidity. As a result, while the handling isn't "ultra-sharp," it can be controlled precisely even on narrow winding roads, allowing for a strong sense of unity with the car.

Overall, the balance of ride comfort, handling, and power is superb, making it an all-rounder capable of handling any driving situation.

Test Drive: XF 3.0 Premium Luxury

Next, I test drove the "XF 3.0 Premium Luxury," equipped with the new V6 3.0-liter supercharged engine.



The power steering assist is noticeably lighter than in the XF 2.0 Luxury, and the steering effort is heavier. Furthermore, its stability around the straight-ahead position and the returning force to the straight-ahead line are stronger, suggesting it excels at long-distance highway cruising.

Smooth as Silk

The V6 engine, "chopped" from two cylinders, delivers a remarkably smooth feel, making it hard to believe.

This smoothness clearly surpasses that of the "XF 2.0 Luxury," which was already satisfactory, achieving a level of quietness befitting a prestige saloon. The power is more than adequate; in fact, pressing the throttle continuously reveals a speed that borders on frightening.

Therefore, it's best to reserve such potential for when it's truly needed and enjoy the silken smoothness in everyday driving.



The seats, covered in the "Premium Soft Grain Leather" standard on the Premium Luxury, feel soft and high-quality, perfect for spending luxurious moments.

Finally, the XFR

The "XFR" I last test drove should be considered a different car from the regular "XF."

After all, its maximum output is 510 ps at 6,000-6,500 rpm, which is equivalent to the Mercedes-BenzE 63 AMG's E 63 AMG (maximum output 524 ps at 5,250-5,750 rpm). Therefore, the sheer power is astonishing. Furthermore, it utilizes its 5.0-liter displacement to deliver immense acceleration from low speeds.

However, the throttle pedal's initial response is tuned to be gentle, making the high power surprisingly manageable, which is a great relief.



This high output is handled by a suspension that is even more solid than the 3.0 model's, but the dampers move so smoothly that they absorb road shocks with a refined suppleness. The comfortable ride is astonishing, considering it's equipped with 20-inch tires (front: 255/35R20, rear: 285/30R20 Dunlop SP Sport MAXX).

Moreover, engine and road noise are well suppressed, so as long as you drive calmly, it presents itself as a refined premium saloon.

The Dual Nature of the XFR

However, once you unleash the 5.0-liter supercharged engine, this ferocious feline begins to show a completely different side.



The beautifully controlled slide is truly impressive.

What's more, it achieves this sporty driving with a chassis that offers a comfortable and quiet ride. This is a far cry from the somewhat rough finish of the flagship "SV8" when the XF first debuted.

Even though the basic styling and mechanics may not seem to have changed significantly, the XF has actually made remarkable progress over the past five years.

Jaguar XF 2.0 Luxury | Jaguar XF 2.0 Luxury
Body Dimensions | Length 4,975 x Width 1,875 x Height 1,460 mm
Wheelbase | 2,910 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,560 / 1,605 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.5 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 500 liters
Weight | 1,760 kg
Engine | 1,998cc Inline-4 Direct Injection DOHC Turbo
Max Output | 177kW (240ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max Torque | 340Nm / 1,750 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FR
Tires | 235/55R17
Top Speed | 241 km/h
0-100km/h Acceleration | 7.9 seconds
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 9.1 km/ℓ
Price | 5.95 million yen

Jaguar XF 3.0 Premium Luxury | Jaguar XF 3.0 Premium Luxury
Body Dimensions | Length 4,975 x Width 1,875 x Height 1,460 mm
Wheelbase | 2,910 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,560 / 1,605 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.5 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 500 liters
Weight | 1,870 kg
Engine | 2,994cc V6 Direct Injection DOHC Supercharged
Max Output | 250kW (340ps) / 6,500 rpm
Max Torque | 450Nm / 2,500 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FR
Tires | 245/40R19 (Optional)
Top Speed | 250 km/h (Limited)
0-100km/h Acceleration | 5.9 seconds
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 7.5 km/ℓ
Price | 8.29 million yen

Jaguar Jaguar XFR | Jaguar XFR
Body Dimensions | Length 4,975 x Width 1,875 x Height 1,460 mm
Wheelbase | 2,910 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,560 / 1,570 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.5 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 500 liters
Weight | 1,960 kg
Engine | 4,999cc V8 Direct Injection DOHC Supercharged
Max Output | 375kW (510ps) / 6,000-6,500 rpm
Max Torque | 625Nm / 2,500-5,500 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FR
Tires Front/Rear | 255/35R20 / 285/30R20
Top Speed | 250 km/h (Limited)
0-100km/h Acceleration | 4.9 seconds
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 6.6 km/ℓ
Price | 12 million yen