Fast Facts

Verdict:
A great achievement by Jaguar and a genuine alternative to the usual German suspects. Keenly priced, too

Gorgeous styling, nicely detailed cabin, class-leading driving dynamics

3.0-litre engine doesn’t quite scale the same heights

The sleek XF is as forward looking as its predecessor, the S-Type, was retro

By Colin Yong in Monaco

Even though the S-Type has only just gone out of production, Jaguar already seems to have conveniently forgotten it ever existed. Its rear-wheel platform may underpin its replacement the XF, but not once is the S-Type mentioned in any of the marketing materials for the new car.

Instead, Jaguar talks about how the XF shares some suspension components with the current XK coupe and how its front grille has shades of the original XJ’s; even how its interior has more wood trim than the 1960s Mark 2.

When asked about retro styling on modern cars and what he thought was a bad example of it, one of the XF’s designers hemmed and hawed before finally saying ‘the new Beetle’. But it was obvious that ‘S-Type’ was on the tip of his tongue.

You can’t blame Jaguar for wanting to forget its troubled recent past, especially since the XF is meant to serve as a symbol of a new beginning for the brand.

It breaks completely free from the retro look that did the S-Type, and indeed the smaller X-Type, no favours in the showroom, swapping blobby curves for a rakish, coupe-like profile.

Oddly-shaped headlamps aside, the XF simply doesn’t have a bad angle. Its rear-end styling, particularly the visual relationship between the back doors, rear windscreen and tail lamps, is especially elegant.

It’s the kind of car that will have you reaching for your chequebook within seconds of laying eyes on it.