Jaguar XF 5.0 V8 Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Jaguar XF 5.0 V8
Prices: £49,900 – on the road
Insurance Group: 19
Emissions: 264g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 5.5s / Max Speed 155 mph
Fuel Consumption: (urban) 16mpg /(extra urban) 36mpg / (combined) 25.4mpg
Safety: twin front/side/window airbags, ABS
Dimensions: length/width/height 4961/2053/1460mm

XF 5.0 V8: Raw Power

Our Rating: No Rating Available

Back in the day of the true luxury/executive saloon people who owned cars that sported a V8 under the hood were the envy of the executive parking lots across the corporate world. Owners of V8 powered cars thumbed their noses at running costs and focuses on the fact that they drove a car that delivered raw power. Recent shifts in technology and petrol costs have caused many in the UK money set to abandon their revered eight-cylinders and replaced them with either the smaller V6 petrol machines or the more efficient, yet powerful diesels that are offered across the class. However for people who still want the V8 power there are cars like the Jaguar XF that still plant these powerful engines under their bonnet.

Jaguar knows full well that the XF 5.0 V8 isn't going to break any sales records, but there thought is that there are still enough people out there with the need for this type of power that is it well worth the effort. The 5.0-litre V8 engine found under the bonnet of the XF delivers an outstanding 385bhp of power that will get the car from 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds topping out at 155mph. The peak power of the car will arrive around 6,500rpm. These numbers are stellar for such a large car. Torque delivered by the 5.0 V8 petrol engine is an impressive 514Nm.

A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the V8 with nifty little wheel-mounted paddles or manual gear changing. The ease of driving the XF 5.0 V8 is aided by the inclusion of Electronic Brake Assist, Anti-lock Brakes, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and Engine Drag Torque.

The true issue for most buyers will be the low fuel mileage that the XF 5.0 V8 gets when driving in the city, which let's face it is where most of these cars spend the majority of their days. In the city the 5.0-litre gets a measly 16mpg, but does boast a decent 36mpg on the open road. Combined the XF 5.0 V8 gets an estimated 25.4mpg.

Safety features in the Jaguar XF include; two-stage airbags in the front, curtain airbags throughout that have a sensor in the seat that activates them when needed. Both front seats come with what is called ?whiplash protection? and ?soft-landing? technology that will return the passengers to their seats softly in the event of an accident.

The exterior of the XF is a blend of muscle and sporty which melds old-school Jaguar styling with new-school type looks. One of the coolest things about the design of the XF is the fact that it looks more like a coupe than a saloon. Inside the car it is very much a saloon because it can easily seat 5 adults comfortably. The boot offers excellent 540-litres of space for luggage and other things. The rear seats can be folded flat as well to allow for 420-litres of added space.

Jaguar is only offering the 5.0-litre V8 engine in what they call the Portfolio trim level. The features in at this level are exceptional and include; double stitched leather trim, deep pile carpets, suede headliner, ventilated and heated front seats, a Bowers and Wilkins stereo system, 20? alloys and satellite navigation.

Buyers in the market for a luxury car that is equipped with raw power and intense drivability will be very pleased with the XF 5.0 V8. There are few true rivals to this car on the road today.