I suppose many of us can identify with that relentless (almost obsessive) pursuit for making something just a little bit better or striving for perfection. A great video by Daniel Michaelis that may strike a chord with a few viewers and brings it all together - visual performance, editing, and a soundtrack that hits all the right notes on cue. Whether you appreciate visual art, high performance cars, or both, I think you will enjoy watching this video.

Whoa, check this out: a stylish ride that gets 35 miles to the gallon and also puts down 443 Pound Feet of torque to the pavement.

Meet Jaguars new and improved XF diesel. Motivated by a new dual turbo 3.0-liter that puts out 240 hp for the base model or 275 hp S trim. True, not that much for a heavy and luxurious car such as a Jag, but the torque, and a train moving 443 lb-ft should do the trick. And indeed it does, motivating the cat down the road to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds, topping out at 155. Of course on the inside, it’s got all the Jaguar bits and bobs you’d come to expect. A few cows worth of leather, lots of wood, comfort comfort comfort, that sort of deal.

What’s not to like?

You can’t buy it.

It’s European only.

Aren’t American car companies having trouble with CAFE standards? Doesn’t Ford still own Jag? Do I have to draw you a picture Dearborn?

Source: AutoBlog

Bad news if you own a Jaguar XF in the U.S. of A. The 2009 model is being recalled in North America. Whoops! Yes, the whole damn entire car is being recalled due to faulty speaker wiring. If you’ve purchased the Jaguar XF, whose base price is $49,200, the wires to the speaker system may break. Doesn’t sound so bad except this will lead to not only the failure to the audio system but also the turn indicator sounds, seatbelt warning, lights-on and driver’s door open warning chimes, seat-adjustment memory and adaptive cruise control warning signals. Holy mama of an automotive mishap!

The Jaguar XF is no stranger to recall. In August, 7,918 models were also recalled for such niceties problems with the rear seatbelt D-ring assembly, which in the event of a crash the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, and reconfiguration of the instrument control software. This time around
 Jaguar has issued a recall for 3,754 2009 XF sedans.

My next driving assignment was the Jaguar XF. As excited as I was with the Jaguar XK-R, I was less than enthusiastic about this one. “It doesn’t look like a Jaguar.” I whined.

I was guilty of prejudice and expected to bored and underwhelmed by this car. But, like some turnaround plots, I got in the car and was changed. I changed my mind about this car. I changed my mind about Jaguar and the Brits. I expected Jaguar to sell cars with styling, legacy and tradition. But what I got was a car that was one of the most tech savy, most well integrated and balanced cars I’ve driven in a while.

Color me impressed. The interior bathes you in a warm blue glow and with motorized, moving everything. It is gimmicky but it really works. The shift knob is a little dial that floats up on command. Where’s the gear changing stick you say. Well, that is a remnant of the old world. Electronic transmissions don’t need a big mechanical stick to function. Drivers might want it like a security blanket. But it really is not an elegant and ergonomic solution to the problem.

The rest of my experience is like a dream. This car drives like the perfect daily driver. And the B&W sound system is one of the best I have ever witnessed in a car.

Read on to our very own Gary Chan’s review and discover what this car is all about.
2009 Jaguar XF Review: When the world is not enough

And hear James May of Top Gear rave about the XF and see the car in it’s glory.

By Gary Chan

Pros

• Tuned suspension feels great
• B&W sound system
• Verbal navigation instructions clear and accurate
• Engine – smooth as silk

Cons

• Navigation UI not intuitive and as easy to use as some systems
• Resonance from either exhaust or transmission: a droning sound generated between 1250 -1750 rpm. It was quite noticeable and my wife asked me while riding in back, “What is that sound?”
• Small trunk
• Rear seat legroom

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